HORIZON-CL4-2027-05-DIGITAL-EMERGING-03
General information
Programme
Horizon Europe (HORIZON)
Call
Type of action
HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions
Type of MGA
HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]
Forthcoming
Deadline model
single-stage
Planned opening date
17 November 2026
Deadline date
18 March 2027 17:00:00 Brussels timeTopic description
Expected Outcome:
- Advanced integrated photonic devices and circuits with enhanced functionality and performance enabling wider application across multiple sectors including digital, automotive, industrial, health and security
- Reinforced competitiveness of EU photonics actors by demonstrating advancements in representative system configurations and validating real-world applicability
- Significantly improved performance of electro-optic systems in applications such as communication, computing, sensing, medical diagnostics, data processing, AI supporting the introduction of photonic elements into such systems
- Low power consumption sensors with increased performance in application domains
Scope:
R&I should enhance the functionality, efficiency, and integration of photonic devices and circuits with a focus extended system performance. Action should address at least two of the following aspects.
- Enhanced performance through improved spectral purity, wavelength coverage, output power and noise characteristics.
- Increased modulation or detection speeds going beyond the capability of existing PIC material platforms, improved signal-processing capabilities, and integration of novel materials such as thin-film LiNbO3, BTO, graphene, silicon carbide, phase change materials and TMDCs.
- Miniaturised, high-complexity photonic circuits (e.g. multilayer photonics, chiplets, multiple integrated functional elements), scalable interconnects and electronics-photonics integration (co-packaged, heterogeneous, or monolithic) to improve performance, reliability, and cost-efficiency.
- Reduction of power consumption for example through improved electrical-to-optical conversion, lower optical losses, devices operable at higher temperatures to reduce cooling needs, and low-power circuit actuation and control.
Proposals should consider system-level impact and demonstrate advancements in representative configurations relevant to one or more application domains.