Advanced cryptographic schemes and High-Assurance high-speed cryptographic implementations
European Commission·Multilateral
This Horizon Europe research and innovation action funds advanced cryptographic schemes and high-assurance high-speed cryptographic implementations. It is aimed at legal entities established in Member States and Associated Countries, and focuses on post-quantum cryptography, formal verification tools, and high-assurance cryptographic software for secure digital wallets, eIDs, authentication, and secure software workflows. The main expected outcome is stronger security, privacy, and evidence-based evaluation of cryptographic systems.
Go / No-Go Memo
This opportunity looks relevant, but the strongest path is likely through a partner or consortium.
Partner
This is a highly specialized cybersecurity and cryptography research call with no substantive humanitarian, health, migration, or disaster-response component, so relevance for IFRC and National Societies is very low. Participation is also limited to legal entities established in Member States and Associated Countries, which further reduces practical relevance for the Movement.
Strategic fit
strong
Academic is the strongest profile match at 85/100; relevance is 15/100.
Eligibility risk
moderate
Eligible applicant types include Academic, Private_Sector, Government.
Deadline feasibility
moderate
The call closes in 6 days, so proposal capacity is the main constraint.
Funding attractiveness
strong
The tracked ceiling is €15M across 4 awards.
Partnership need
moderate
This may be stronger with a Academic lead or co-applicant based on fit scores.
Recommended next action
Ignore
Expected 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.
Digital & AISDG 9SDG 16ResearchHORIZON-CL3-2026-02-CS-ECCC-03EU Funding & Tenders
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Track
Disasters & CrisesPreparedness for ResponseHealth Systems Strengthening