EuroHPC JU Opens Quantum Grand Challenge Call

Through this call, HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-QGC-02: Quantum Grand Challenge, the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking is inviting European quantum computing startups to develop integrated hardware–software quantum computing solutions with strong market potential.

The call will be implemented in two phases:

• Phase 1 (Horizon Europe grant) will target European quantum start-ups to receive financial support over a four month period to develop a technical and financial roadmap,  complemented by proofs of principle or preliminary prototypes. Projects should deliver tangible outputs, demonstrating feasibility and progress towards integrated quantum computing solutions.
• Phase 2 (InvestEU programme): The most promising projects from Phase 1 will be invited to submit proposals to the European Investment Bank (EIB) under the InvestEU initiative. The selected European start-ups may then receive long-term financing through loans to scale their technologies toward market-ready, industrial applications.

Throughout Phase 1, the EIB Advisory services will assist participants in evaluating the financial viability of participation in the InvestEU programme and preparing for potential private investment. Successful projects will later be subject to full due diligence for InvestEU financing.

Priority will be given to start-ups integrating their quantum solutions into European supercomputing centres, ensuring interoperability within the European Union’s HPC infrastructure.

By fostering collaboration between quantum innovators, financial institutions, and end-users, the Quantum Grand Challenge will boost Europe’s technological sovereignty, innovative capabilities and competitiveness. 

How to Apply

The call for Phase 1, with a total indicative budget of EUR 4 million, opens today, 14 October 2025, and closes on 8 January 2026 at 17:00 CET (Brussels/Luxembourg time).

Applications for Phase 1 must be submitted via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal by 8 January 2026. More details can be found on this dedicated webpage. 

After the completion of Phase 1, participants will directly apply to the EIB Venture Debt Platform to receive financing under Phase 2.

Background

The EuroHPC JU is a legal and funding entity that brings together the European Union and participating countries to coordinate efforts and pool resources with the objective of making Europe a world leader in supercomputing.    

To equip Europe with a cutting-edge supercomputing infrastructure, the EuroHPC JU has already procured 11 supercomputers, distributed across Europe. Three of these EuroHPC supercomputers are now ranked among the world’s top 10 most powerful supercomputers: JUPITER in Germany, Europe’s first exascale system (4^th place), along with LUMI in Finland (9^th place), Leonardo in Italy (10^th place). 

European scientists and users from the public sector and industry can benefit from EuroHPC supercomputers via the EuroHPC Access Calls no matter where in Europe they are located, to advance science and support the development of a wide range of applications with industrial, scientific and societal relevance for Europe. 

Currently, the EuroHPC JU is also overseeing the implementation of 19 AI factories across Europe that offer free, customised support to SMEs and startups. Six new AI Factories were selected last week, while thirteen AI Factory Antennas have been announced yesterday, to complement the existing network. This step will strengthen European national AI ecosystems and expand access to AI-optimised supercomputing resources across Europe.

Additionally, the EuroHPC JU is deploying a European Quantum Computing infrastructure, integrating diverse European quantum computing technologies with existing supercomputers. EuroHPC JU already inaugurated PIAST-Q in Poznań, Poland and VLQ in Ostrava, Czechia,  marking a milestone in Europe’s leap into the quantum era. 

The EuroHPC JU also funds  research and innovation projects to develop a full European supercomputing supply chain, from processors and software to applications to be run on these supercomputers and know-how to develop strong European HPC expertise.