QEC4QEA: Building Europe’s One-Stop Shop for Quantum-Enhanced Applications

QEC4QEA (Quantum Excellence Centre for Quantum-Enhanced Applications) is designed to make quantum computing more accessible and easier to use. It will connect end users with quantum application developers, experts, and computing providers. By bringing these groups together, QEC4QEA will help users navigating the complexity of quantum computing technologies and apply them effectively in real-world workflows. For this purpose, the project builds on European quantum computing infrastructure that combines quantum and high-performance computing (HPC) capabilities.

QEC4QEA will support users at every stage of the application journey. It will provide access to guidance, tools, and services needed to develop, test, and run quantum-enhanced applications. These services will include training, support in selecting appropriate computing resources, and assistance with efficient execution. The goal is to provide a complete and practical support chain that allows users to focus on results rather than technical barriers.

By guiding users to the most suitable resources and helping them optimise their workflows, QEC4QEA will enable applications to run efficiently and cost-effectively on European quantum computers and hybrid quantum-HPC systems operated by EuroHPC JU and national organisations. This approach is expected to accelerate innovation across Europe, encourage the development of new quantum-enhanced applications, and build lasting expertise and interest in quantum technologies.

Together with its sister project QEX, QEC4QEA supports EuroHPC JU’s vision of strengthening Europe’s knowledge base and building a thriving, sustainable quantum ecosystem.

More details 

The QEC4QEA project is coordinated by Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) and brings together 19 partners from eight EuroHPC JU participating countries (France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, Spain and Turkey), representing a broad range of scientific and technical expertise. 

QEC4QEA is structured into five clusters led by major European supercomputing centres that are deploying and operating the EuroHPC quantum-HPC infrastructure:Forschungszentrum Jülich, CEA, Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), CINECA, and PCSS. Led by these centres, the clusters combine advanced supercomputers and quantum computers with strong technical expertise, established application portfolios, and direct access to cutting-edge HPC and quantum computing infrastructures. This federated model will strengthen cross-regional cooperation, maintain close proximity to users, maximise synergies, and ensure scalable impact at the European level.

The consortium will also closely work with key European Quantum Flagship projects, including OpenSuperQPlus, PASQuanS2, and QuIC, as well as major national initiatives such as QSolid (Germany), HQI (France), Quantum Spain (Spain), and KCIK (Poland).

The QEC4QEA Quantum Excellence Centre has been selected following the call HORIZON-EUROHPC-JU-2023-QEC-05-01 and is funded by the Horizon Europe programme, with a total EU contribution of around EUR 4.9 million.

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.    

The EuroHPC JU is currently deploying a  European Quantum Computing infrastructure, integrating diverse European quantum computing technologies with existing supercomputers. To date, the EuroHPC JU has procured six quantum computers, located across Europe. Three of these systems have already been inaugurated: PIAST-Q in Poland,  VLQ in Czechia and Euro-Q-Exa in Germany,  marking a milestone in Europe’s leap into the quantum era. 

The deployment of these quantum computers across Europe aims to offer the widest possible variety of European quantum computing platforms and hybrid classical-quantum architectures, including analogue quantum simulators based on neutral atoms, trapped ions, superconducting circuits, and photonics to adiabatic systems, enabling the execution of annealing routines. This approach positions Europe at the forefront of this emerging field while providing European end-users with access to diverse and complementary quantum technologies. 

In addition to these six systems, two analogue quantum simulators, Jade and Ruby, have been procured under the EuroHPC JU project HPCQS and inaugurated end of 2025 in Germany (Julich Supercomputing Centre, JSC) and France (GENCI).

Procurement processes are also currently ongoing for two additional EuroHPC quantum computers to be hosted and operated by SURF in the Netherlands and by LuxProvide in Luxembourg. 

In addition and to equip Europe with a cutting-edge supercomputing infrastructure, the EuroHPC JU has already procured 12 supercomputers, distributed across Europe including JUPITER in Germany, and Alice Recoque, Europe’s first exascale systems. 

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 (AIF) across Europe, complemented by  13 AI Factory Antennas, to offer free, customised AI-support to SMEs and startups. 

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.

With the recent adoption of Council Regulation (EU) 2026/150, the EuroHPC JU’s mandate has been expanded with new action pillars dedicated to the deployment of AI Gigafactories across Europe and the advancement of quantum technologies.