Manufacturing Readiness R&D Challenge

Bio-based innovation in society: supporting the sustainable way of living is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: advanced socio-economic transformation based on scientific/technological opportunities delivered by the bio-based sectors and bioeconomy. This will result in innovative bio-based products and services, supporting the more sustainable way of living (e.g. new socio-economic models), higher circularity, affordability, resource efficiency, climate neutrality etc); improved public understanding and engagement in bio-based innovation underpinned by scientific advances in life sciences and biotechnology; better living conditions for individuals and communities, benefiting from less polluted ecosystems, via healthier, and environmentally sustainable products and services with a reduced carbon footprint and based on circular and bio-based solutions. Scope: The projects under this topic are relevant to the EU policies related to the European Commission communication on: Building the future with nature: Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU, the Strategy for European Life Sciences, the EU Biotech Act, Clean Industrial Deal and the policies related to the fair green transition (objective of not leaving anyone behind). It also contributes to the Start-ups and Scale-ups strategy. Synergies with activities under the Circular Bio-based Europe (CBE) Joint Undertaking and New European Bauhaus are encouraged. Proposals should address the following activities: develop the innovative user-friendly bio-based products and/or services, underpinned by biotechnology and biomanufacturing approaches, to support the more sustainable applications with a clear societal benefit, such as less resource-intensive consumer goods, to reduce environmental and climate pressures. Foresee the necessary links with the digital technologies and tools (e.g., bioinformatics, AI, etc.); assess the potential of new socio-economic models for circular and bio-based systems, integrating aspects of environmental justice, gender equality, diversity and social inclusion, as well as relevant international global best practice, via e.g. societal dialogue/innovation, social impact assessment, involvement and inputs from the social sciences and humanities (SSH); include research and innovation activities to understand and increase the level of current public perception and acceptance, including the benefits / risks, addressing the consumer perspective, market acceptance and understanding of the bio-based innovation, as well as delivering higher understanding of consumption patterns and social demands; foresee the cooperation and feedback loops with industry and authorities, in respect to any new market solutions proposed. The multi-actor approach is encouraged. Proposals should involve SMEs – both as project beneficiaries or external actors - and offer opportunities to newcomers to Horizon Europe Cluster 6, as well as engage with the civil society stakeholders such as NGOs and consumer organisations to advance scale-up and facilitate future market deployment. Cooperation with projects funded under parallel topics such as HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-07: Advancing the European bio-based innovation enabled by biotechnology and biomanufacturing concepts is encouraged to maximise synergies, while avoiding overlaps. Cooperation between all projects funded under this topic should also be foreseen, as a specific tasks, with an allocation of resources, for synergies. Proposals should integrate the gender dimension and consider other social categories besides gender (disability, age, socio-economic status, ethnic and/or cultural origin, sexual orientation, etc.), and their intersections. This topic requires the effective contribution of SSH disciplines and involvement of SSH experts in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities. International cooperation is encouraged. Technology Readiness Level - Techn Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Bio-based Innovation Systems in the EU Bioeconomy Keywords: Bio-based products (products that are manufactured using biological material as feedstock) bio-based materials, bio-based plastics, biofuels, bio-based and bio-derived bulk and fine chemicals, bio-based and bio-derived novel materials, Biochemical research methods, Biochemistry and molecular biology, Biodiversity conservation, Bioprocessing technologies (industrial processes relying on biological agents to drive the process) biocatalysis, fermentation, Environmental biotechnology, Environmental engineering, Industrial biotechnology, Materials engineering, Social innovation, Social sciences, interdisciplinary, Sociology, bio-based, bio-product, bioeconomy, biomanufacturing, biomass, biotechnology, fair transition

Large-Scale Photonic Quantum Computing Platform Technologies is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: This action will establish a strategic European initiative to develop scalable, modular, and interoperable photonic quantum computing platforms. Proposals for this topic are expected to address and provide credible solutions to at least two major technical roadblocks currently limiting the advancement of photonic quantum computing such as: The lack of deterministic, high-efficiency photonic entanglement and loss-tolerant architectures suitable for fault-tolerant scaling The absence of a standardised, integrated control stack combining photonic hardware, firmware, and system software with reliable benchmarking across platforms Project results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes: By 2028, demonstration of a photonic NISQ processor with ≥100 photonic qubits, integrating deterministic single-photon sources, low-loss waveguides, on-chip detectors, and a firmware stack (scheduler, controller, compiler), validated via hardware-agnostic benchmarks and hybrid photonic-HPC applications demonstrating classical-quantum crossover By 2030, delivery of a full-stack, high-connectivity photonic quantum computer, with modular scalability, integrated on-chip and fibre-based interconnects, and high-fidelity gates (e.g. error rates ≤10⁻³) with an indicative target of 1 000 photonic qubits, laying the groundwork for prototype demonstrations of quantum utility on industrially relevant workloads. System-level interoperability and standardisation, with published interface specifications across photonic quantum hardware and software stacks including packaging, APIs, compiler interfaces, and cloud protocols compatible with telecom wavelengths Validation of entanglement distribution across modules through standardised protocols and field-demonstration of interconnected photonic quantum processors Acceleration of industrialisation and commercialisation, including a roadmap for pilot manufacturing lines, quality assurance protocols, and development of a sovereign European supply chain for photonic quantum technologies Demonstration of project results through a concrete use case provided by a major end-user partner within the consortium, validating the platform’s relevance and performance under real operational constraints. Scope: Proposals for this topic are expected to be led by a startup with demonstrated expertise in photonic quantum computing. The startup should collaborate with relevant academic, industrial, and RTO partners to ensure both technological depth and market orientation. The consortium should also include at least one major end-user whose operational needs will shape the platform design, and whose infrastructure will host the field demonstration of the project’s results. Proposals should implement a coordinated, durable R&I programme that integrates hardware, software, system architecture, and application-level use cases. Activities should include: Platform development advancing open, scalable photonic quantum processors with semiconductor and/or glass-based photonic chips, integrated control electronics, firmware, and robust error mitigation and correction schemes System integration realising modular quantum nodes with photonic interconnects and validating scalable architectures under realistic noise, loss, and control constraints Software stack co-design integrating low-level firmware, compilers, hybrid algorithms, and network APIs to demonstrate application-level quantum advantage and HPC interoperability Proposals are expected to build upon prior Quantum Flagship results and demonstrate capacity to contribute actively to the governance and strategic coordination of the EU quantum computing ecosystem, including synergies with STEP, Chips JU, IPCEI projects and EuroHPC. Technology Readiness Level - Technology readiness level expected from completed projects Activities are expected to start at TRL 4 and achieve TRL 7 by the end of the project – see General Annex B. Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Digital, Industry and Space Keywords: Advanced computing, Computer and information sciences, High performance computing, Quantum Technologies (e.g. computing and communication), EuroHPC, High Performance Computing, Photonics, Quantum Computing

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama, Inc. (TMMAL) Grants is sponsored by Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama, Inc. (TMMAL). Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama, Inc. (TMMAL) Grants aim to enhance community well-being by supporting nonprofit organizations focused on STEM education and workforce readiness. With a commitment to inclusion, Toyota collaborates with local entities to address pressing societal challenges.