The EuroHPC Joint Undertaking has initiated six distinct funding calls totaling €119 million to accelerate quantum computing, communication, and infrastructure across Europe. These calls, opened on August 13, 2026, seek to establish a foundation for the next generation of computing hardware and security protocols. Applications for all categories remain open until November 17, 2026.
Targeted Investments in Quantum Hardware
The funding targets three specific qubit platforms: trapped-ion, superconducting, and neutral-atom technologies. Each of these tracks commands a €20 million budget aimed at achieving full-stack systems. The trapped-ion initiative looks for over 1,000 individually addressable qubits integrated with classical high-performance computing. Similarly, the superconducting call requires a 1,000-qubit processor using chiplet technology to improve coherence times and read-out speeds. The neutral-atom project asks for processors capable of simulating 10,000 atoms, with a clear trajectory toward 10,000 physical qubits.
These projects are expected to run for 3.5 years, a timeframe designed to move prototypes out of the lab and toward commercial readiness. The focus remains on cloud accessibility, ensuring that researchers and industry users have direct paths to test these machines for real-world applications. By prioritizing these specific architectures, EuroHPC aims to secure European supply chains and reduce reliance on external hardware providers.
Advancing Security and Infrastructure
Beyond hardware development, the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking is allocating €24 million to advance next-generation Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems. This initiative aims to protect sensitive data across regional networks exceeding 300 km in length. The projects must address metropolitan-scale key rates of at least 1 Mbps while implementing hybrid frameworks that combine QKD with post-quantum cryptography to defend against future decryption threats.
Infrastructure is another focal point, with a €20 million fund dedicated to open-access testing facilities. This setup will provide a centralized way for companies, particularly startups and SMEs, to validate quantum components against industry standards. By creating a standardized certification service, the agency hopes to minimize the barriers to entry that often plague new deep-tech firms. A separate €15 million call will support experimental pilot lines that bridge the gap between experimental research and actual manufacturing, leveraging the existing framework of the CHIPS Joint Undertaking.
The Broader Context of European Supercomputing
These efforts form part of a much larger strategy to consolidate European computational power. The EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, which has already deployed 12 supercomputers including exascale systems like JUPITER, acts as a primary vehicle for this state-led investment. Following the adoption of Council Regulation (EU) 2026/150, the agency’s mandate has grown significantly. It now covers not just standard high-performance computing, but also the deployment of AI Gigafactories and deep investment into quantum systems.
This strategy is not new, but the scale of the current funding represents a shift toward industrial production. Where previous years focused on procuring existing technology, current calls prioritize manufacturing reproducibility and the creation of a local supply chain. The goal is to provide a comprehensive ecosystem where European scientists can access machines from the research phase all the way to industrial application. Observers should monitor the November submission deadline, as these selections will likely dictate the winners of the European quantum market for the remainder of the decade.