The overall objectives of the QuantERA III Joint Transnational Call 2025 are to:

• Support cutting-edge research in Quantum Technologies (QT) through collaborative, interdisciplinary, and transnational projects that align with one of the two call topics:

– Quantum Phenomena and Resources (QPR): Focused on foundational quantum science, exploring novel quantum phenomena, resources, protocols, and addressing fundamental challenges in QT.

– Applied Quantum Science (AQS): Aimed at translating known quantum effects into technological applications and developing new quantum-based products and systems.

• Strengthen European leadership in Quantum Technologies by funding transformative research that begins at low Technology Readiness Levels (TRL 1–4) and aims to reach TRL 1–6. The call supports bold, interdisciplinary projects that align with Europe’s strategic quantum agenda and open new lines of research or engineering.

• Promote inclusive, interdisciplinary, and cross-sector collaboration by involving diverse disciplines, early-career researchers, Widening Countries, and industry partners—especially SMEs. This ensures broad participation and enhances the relevance and impact of research outcomes.
• Ensure responsible, open, and impactful research by requiring adherence to open science, FAIR data, and ethical standards. Projects should also consider societal relevance and support innovation pathways, including technology transfer and commercialization.

• 10 June 2025: Pre-announcement of the call
• 4 September 2025: Official publication of the call
• 5 December 2025 (16:00 local Irish time): Deadline for proposal submission (one-step call)
• Q1 2026 (expected): Evaluation and selection process
• May 2026 (expected): Communication of funding decisions
• June -September 2026 (expected): Project start (depending on national/regional funding rules)

Applicants must meet the primary eligibility and consortium requirements of Call 2025 – QuantERA.

Only an academic partner or coordinator based in an eligible Irish Host Research body may apply for Research Ireland funding.

Please refer to Research Ireland’s Policies and Guidance for the list of eligible Research Performing Organisations: Eligibility Information

The Irish-based applicant must:

• hold a PhD or equivalent qualification for at least 3 years by the pre-proposal deadline. The official date is defined as the day, month and year that the degree was conferred i.e., the month and year printed on the official PhD certificate.

AND

• be a member of the academic staff of an eligible Research Body (permanent or with an active contract that covers the period of the grant)

OR

• be a contract researcher with a contract that covers the period of the grant, who is recognised by the eligible Research Body as an independent investigator and will have an independent office and research space for which he/she will be fully responsible for at least the duration of the Research Ireland grant

OR

• be an individual who will be recognised by the eligible Research Body upon receipt of the grant as an academic staff or as a contract researcher as defined above. The applicant does not necessarily need to be employed by the Research Body at the time of the application submission.

AND

• be an author on at least three international peer-reviewed articles. Only original research publications, and not review articles or other secondary research literature, are acceptable.

Awarded projects will have a duration of up to 36 months. For applicants based in Ireland, Research Ireland will provide the following funding for projects:

• Up to a maximum of €330,000 in direct costs, €405,000 including overheads, per award for Irish-based applicants applying as a project partner.
• Up to a maximum of €405,000 in direct costs, €530,000 including overheads, per award for Irish-based applicants applying as a project coordinator.

• Salary-related costs for research personnel. Please use current Research Ireland Team Member Salary Scales. The Irish partner cannot request their own salary.
• Equipment costs up to a maximum value of €50K
• Travel costs
• Direct running costs (materials and consumables)
• Dissemination and knowledge exchange costs
• Subcontracting costs are considered an eligible budget category however strong justification for subcontracting must be provided and pre-approved directly with Research Ireland in advance of proposal submission.
• Overheads should be calculated at 30% of the direct costs, but excluding the cost of all equipment identified in the application.

Unless otherwise stated, all rules regarding listed eligible costs apply as defined within Research Ireland’s grant budget policy

Ineligible costs

Research Ireland will not provide a contribution towards the salary of the applicant, international co-applicants or collaborators. All additional ineligible costs apply as described in Research Ireland’s grant budget policy.

Please give a brief notification of your intent to submit a proposal through email to eu-cofund@researchireland.ie before the submission deadline. Within the notification, please include the following information:

• List of project partners

• Irish Host institution**

• Total budget request to Research Ireland

• Whether you intend to apply as a coordinating or non-coordinating partner

 **Please note it is also the responsibility of the applicant to notify the Research Office of their Host Institution of their intention to submit a pre-proposal.

The completed proposal must be submitted directly on the QuantERA Electronic Submission System.

Applicants may be contacted directly by Research Ireland to confirm eligibility following proposal submission or at any time subsequently should queries arise in relation to the application.

To access the QuantERA Call document and find detailed information about the call, visit: quantera.eu/call-2025

• Research Ireland QuantERA 2025 FAQs