Advanced cryptographic schemes and High-Assurance high-speed cryptographic implementations

Topic descriptionTopic updatesConditions and documentsBudget overviewPartner search announcementsStart submissionTopic Q&AsGet supportGeneral informationProgramme Horizon Europe (HORIZON) Call Indirectly Managed Action by the ECCC (2026) (HORIZON-CL3-2026-02-CS-ECCC) Type of actionHORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation ActionsType of MGAHORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]Open For SubmissionDeadline modelsingle-stageOpening date03 March 2026Deadline date 15 September 2026 17:00:00 Brussels time Topic descriptionExpected Outcome:Proposals are expected to contribute to one or more of the following:Quantum-resistant cryptographic primitives, also other than lattice-based approaches if relevant, that enhance the security and privacy of digital wallets, both for natural persons and wallets, as well as the design and implementation of post-quantum solutions for entity authentication and authenticated key establishment over insecure networks;Formal verification tools, improved High-Assurance Cryptographic Software (HACS) approaches and their integration in software workflows, to provide strong security guarantees in post-quantum migration, and enable streamlined evidence-based evaluation of secure systems that use cryptography. Scope:The development of new digital signatures and advanced cryptographic schemes, tailored specifically to the use cases and requirements in the context of wallets/eIDs, for privacy and business applications is highly relevant nowadays. Moreover, these devices need secure connections over insecure networks requiring protocols for entity authentication, authenticated key establishment, as well as Password Authenticated Key Exchange (PAKE) schemes for ensuring user authentication via passwords in different use cases and for data recovery protocols of Wallet data.Another key area is the development of High-Assurance Cryptographic Software (HACS), including automated evaluation methods.Considering the above, proposals should address one of the following technology areas:Design and implementation of PQC advanced schemes and protocols for enhanced security and privacy, also including schemes other than lattice-based approaches if relevant. Proposals should also include recommendations that balance security, performance, and usability in practical applications and be based on open-source reusable software libraries.Development of a unified specification language to formalise and document conditions on cryptographic safety and security in software implementations; development and improvement of tools and methodologies that can be used to evaluate both the implementation and the usage of cryptography in software applications and provide formal machine-checked guarantees of correctness and security. Proposals should also consider improving existing HACS tools and their integration in such software implementations. Show moreTopic updates03 March 2026Updates on the call openingDue to technical issues, the opening of call HORIZON-CL3-2026-02-CS-ECCC has been postponed. We are working to ensure that the call will open for submissions as soon as possible.09 March 2026The submission session is now available for: HORIZON-CL3-2026-02-CS-ECCC-01, HORIZON-CL3-2026-02-CS-ECCC-03, HORIZON-CL3-2026-02-CS-ECCC-02Show moreTopic conditions and documentsGeneral conditions1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layoutdescribed in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.2. Eligible Countriesdescribed in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.3. Other Eligible ConditionsIn order to achieve the expected outcomes, a