Quantum Space Gravimetry topic

What is this call about?

The call funds research and innovation actions that develop quantum accelerometer technology for measuring the Earth's gravity field from space, covering cold atom interferometry and other emerging quantum approaches.

What does this call fund?

Background

Measuring the Earth's gravity field from space supports monitoring of ice sheets, floods, droughts, volcanic activity and earthquakes. Current missions use electrostatic accelerometers, which have reached their performance limits; quantum accelerometers may offer better sensitivity, accuracy, stability and operating time.

Scope

The topic supports the development and maturation of quantum accelerometer technologies for space gravimetry. Proposals should address one of two areas:

• Area 1: cold atom interferometry with Bose-Einstein condensates, maturing all relevant technology to TRL 6 and delivering engineering and qualification models of payload subsystems
• Area 2: emerging technologies such as SQUIDs, nuclear spin-based gravimeters or hybrid approaches, developed to TRL 4-5 with breadboards or payload prototypes

Projects should deliver breadboards, prototype subsystems or engineering models, present a satellite platform design, and set out a strategy for future in-orbit testing. They are expected to follow a common roadmap to be established with EU Member States, Norway and Iceland through a Quantum Space Gravimetry Expert Group.

Expected outcomes

Support for EU space policy and the Quantum Europe Strategy, technological maturation of critical components for quantum space gravimetry, and EU leadership and non-dependence in this field.

Other conditions

At least the highest-ranked proposal in each area will be funded, provided it passes all thresholds. Intellectual property must be clearly defined; Article 16 of the Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement applies.

What are proposals expected to do?

• Proposed solutions should be quantum-based and aim to improve the performance of currently planned gravimetry missions

When is the deadline?

2 September 2027 (301 days)

2 September 2027. Single-stage submission; planned opening date 9 March 2027.