The Quantum Secure Networks Partnership (QSNP) project aims at creating a sustainable European ecosystem in quantum cryptography and communication. A majority of its partners, which include world-leading academic groups, research and technology organizations (RTOs), quantum component and system spin-offs, cybersecurity providers, integrators, and telecommunication operators, were members of the European Quantum Flagship projects CIVIQ, UNIQORN and QRANGE. QSNP thus gathers the know-how and expertise from all technology development phases, ranging from innovative designs to development of prototypes for field trials. QSNP is structured around three main Science and Technology (ST) pillars. The first two pillars, “Next Generation Protocols” and “Integration”, focus on frontier research and innovation, led mostly by academic partners and RTOs. The third ST pillar “Use cases and Applications” aims at expanding the industrial and economic impact of QSN technologies and is mostly driven by companies. In order to achieve the specific objectives within each pillar and ensure that know-how transfer and synergy between them are coherent and effective, QSNP has established ST activities corresponding to the three main layers of the technology value chain, “Components and Systems”, “Networks” and “Cryptography and Security”. This framework will allow achieving the ultimate objective of developing quantum communication technology for critical European infrastructures, such as EuroQCI, as well as for the private information and communication technology (ICT) sectors. QSNP will contribute to the European sovereignty in quantum technology for cybersecurity. Additionally, it will generate significant economic benefits to the whole society, including training new generations of scientists and engineers, as well as creating high-tech jobs in the rapidly growing quantum industry.

Lung function is a central concern in the fight against covid-19. Beyond the pandemic heavy losses and long-term health implications, respiratory diseases represent a major threat for the World Health Organisation. It is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, associated to our way of living and impacting all of society. Current tools for diagnosing and monitoring pulmonary conditions are hindered by poor sensitivity (lung function tests), radiation exposure (computed tomography) or examination cost (magnetic resonance imaging, MRI). They all differently fail to fully assess lung structure and function V|LF-Spiro3D aims at democratizing newly developed and breakthrough 3D MR spirometry with high performance, low-cost MRI techniques to provide a ten-minute morphofunctional MRI protocol to engage patients in a safer, easier and more comfortable way. Based on recent works at Universities Paris-Saclay and Aberdeen, in collaboration with leading MR manufacturer Siemens, SME NMR Service, major French-Dutch hospitals and patient organisations, V|LF-Spiro3D brings together multidisciplinary experts in a patient-oriented approach for both adults and children V|LF-Spiro3D will redesign current MRI architecture to perform 3D MR spirometry at low and very low field. High-performance MRI hardware will be developed with accelerated acquisitions and coupled reconstruction strategies relying on deep learning. Biomechanical lung modelling and deep data processing will be guided by implementation of 3D MR spirometry in clinical facilities to produce unprecedentedly large sets of normative and training data covering six major respiratory diseases By prioritizing both technology transfer and innovation, V|LF-Spiro3D aims to build up a one-stop-shop imaging standard for unrestricted assessment of lung pathophysiology. The impacts are expected to yield benefits beyond lung imaging and boost health deep-tech on point-of-care imaging and multi-parameter-based digital health in the EU

We live in a crucial historical moment, with tremendous challenges ahead, from climate change to the energy crisis. ELIAS emerges from the belief that AI will be a key discipline to help us tackle these challenges. At the same time, the development of AI entails deep ethical and societal concerns that need to be addressed. As for fundamental research, ELIAS will address key scientific questions about how AI can reduce computational costs, serves to model effects of policy decisions on society, and impacts individuals. ELIAS will strive for a deep integration of the fundamental research that takes place in academia and the more applications-focused research from industry. ELIAS builds on and expands the highly successful and internationally recognized European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS). ELIAS will further develop the excellence criteria and the pillars in ELLIS and implement actions that will support AI researchers and young talents at different stages of their careers. Furthermore, ELIAS will develop a Sciencentrepreneurship track, with the purpose of attracting and empowering talents at the interface of scientific innovation and business and establish original AI solutions that move towards a sustainable long-term future for our planet, contribute to a cohesive society, and respect individual rights. The outcome of ELIAS will be to establish Europe as a leader in AI research in which impact on the environment, society and the individual are integral considerations during development. We will measure the success of this endeavor in terms of key indicators, including the number of new cross-institutional collaborations, the number of cross-disciplinary collaborations, the number of industry-academic partnerships, publications in top conferences and journals, patents, and the number of projects that have resulted in deployed technologies.