Standards for Quantum Technologies

Expected Outcome:

This action will support and accelerate the development and adoption of European and international standards for quantum technologies, enhancing interoperability quality/reliability assurance, and trust in quantum systems. It will strengthen Europe's leadership in the global quantum standardisation landscape and ensure that European industrial and research priorities are well represented and integrated into emerging standards.

Expected outcomes include:

• Delivery of concrete, EU-relevant pre-normative standards and technical specifications across quantum computing, communication, and sensing.
• Substantial contribution of European stakeholders, notably SMEs and start-ups in international standardisation bodies (e.g., ISO/IEC, ITU-T, ETSI), with alignment to EU industrial strategies.
• Promotion of cross-sectoral interoperability through standardised interfaces, control protocols, reliability in operating conditions and benchmarking methodologies, reducing market fragmentation and technical barriers.
• Creation of practical support tools such as user guidelines, training modules, and best practices to accelerate the uptake and implementation of quantum standards.

Scope:

The CSA will coordinate and support standardisation activities for quantum technologies in areas such as quantum computing, communication, sensing, and control. Proposals should include:

• Build on the roadmaps of European standardisation organisations to (i) standardise results from quantum projects funded under Horizon Europe, the Digital Europe Programme, and EuroHPC JU in line with stakeholder priorities, and (ii) foster an active industrial standardisation community to promote engagement and uptake within the European quantum industry.
• Enabling broad stakeholder participation in international standardisation activities (e.g. ISO/IEC, ITU-T, ETSI), promoting EU priorities.
• Support interoperability and integration of quantum systems through standardisation of interfaces, protocols, and benchmarking methodologies.
• Develop explanatory documentation and training material to facilitate adoption and implementation of the developed standards.
• Drafting and developing concrete standards or technical specifications, in cooperation with relevant standardisation bodies, in areas such as:
  • Hardware-software interfaces in quantum computing,
  • Quantum sensing protocols and metrology methods,
  • Control electronics and device modularity for quantum systems,
  • Performance and benchmarking methodologies.
• Supporting the participation of quantum stakeholders in European and international standardisation organisations (e.g. CEN-CENELEC, ETSI, ISO/IEC, ITU-T)
• Coordination with existing European and international standardisation organisations to ensure alignment and avoid duplication.
• Development of support materials such as user guides, training modules, and best practices for the standards developed.
• Organisation of workshops and consultations with quantum stakeholders (including SMEs, start-ups, and large industry) to ensure inclusivity and consensus building.

The proposal must present a clear plan for stakeholder engagement, deliverables, and budget justification, including person-days per task and daily rates. A single proposal is expected. European standardisation organisations (ESOs) are encouraged to lead or be key partners in the consortium.

Without prejudice to the eligibility conditions applicable to beneficiaries and affiliated entities, the action should, where relevant, liaise with stakeholders and standardisation initiatives from like-minded third countries, including in OECD and other international fora, on a non-funded basis, in order to promote EU priorities and ensure alignment of European contributions to global quantum technology standards.

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