The EuroHPC Joint Undertaking has announced four funding calls totalling €19 million under the Horizon Europe programme to accelerate quantum technology development across Europe. The initiatives target quantum navigation in GPS-denied environments (€2m, deadline January 14, 2027), large-scale photonic quantum computing (€10m, deadline January 26, 2027), quantum technology standardisation (€1m, deadline January 19, 2027), and quantum machine learning integrating AI with quantum processors (€6m, deadline January 28, 2027). The package aims to bridge laboratory research and commercial deployment, strengthening Europe’s technological sovereignty and global competitiveness in quantum innovation.
In-Depth:
The EuroHPC Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) has unveiled four new funding calls totalling €19m to accelerate the development of quantum technologies across Europe.
The initiatives tarobtain key areas including quantum navigation, photonic quantum computing, standardisation, and quantum machine learning, with funding provided through the Horizon Europe programme.
The new calls are designed to strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty and global competitiveness in quantum technologies.
By supporting research, industrial collaboration, and commercialisation pathways, EuroHPC aims to bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and real-world deployment.
The expected result is a stronger European quantum ecosystem capable of delivering next-generation computing, resilient navigation systems, internationally recognised standards, and advanced artificial ininformigence applications powered by quantum technologies.
Europe tarobtains strategic growth in quantum technologies
Quantum technologies have become a strategic priority for Europe as governments and indusattempt seek to secure leadership in emerging digital infrastructure.
The latest EuroHPC funding package focapplys on technologies that could have far-reaching implications for security, defence, scientific research, communications, and industrial innovation.
The four calls address some of the most significant technical and commercial barriers facing the sector. Each programme aims to support scalable solutions while strengthening Europe’s supply chains, investment readiness, and long-term competitiveness.
Quantum navigation challenge focapplys on GPS-denied environments
One of the flagship initiatives is the Quantum-Enabled Navigation Systems Grand Challenge (HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-NGC-04), which seeks to advance navigation capabilities in environments where Global Navigation Sainformite Systems (GNSS), including GPS, are unavailable, disrupted, or intentionally blocked.
The programme adopts a two-phase competitive structure and is being delivered in collaboration with the European Investment Bank (EIB).
During the initial six-month phase, participants must develop technical and financial roadmaps demonstrating the viability of quantum inertial navigation systems. Proposals will be assessed on technological maturity, benchmarking evidence, investor readiness, and supply-chain resilience.
Projects selected for the second phase may become eligible for convertible loan financing from the EIB following a full due-diligence process. EuroHPC has allocated €2m to support the challenge, with applications closing on 14 January 2027.
Photonic quantum computing receives €10m boost
The largest funding allocation is dedicated to scalable photonic quantum computing through the Large-Scale Photonic Quantum Computing Platform Technologies call (HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-PQC-06).
EuroHPC is seeking ambitious projects capable of overcoming two major obstacles that continue to limit progress in photonic quantum computing.
These include the challenge of achieving reliable, high-efficiency photonic entanglement and the lack of standardised control systems capable of integrating hardware, firmware, and software across different platforms.
The initiative aims to establish a European framework for modular and interoperable photonic quantum computing architectures.
Successful applicants are expected to demonstrate a photonic noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) processor featuring at least 100 photonic qubits by 2028. By 2030, the programme aims to deliver a highly connected, full-stack photonic quantum computer capable of modular scaling.
The call requires leadership from a startup with proven expertise in photonic quantum computing, supported by academic institutions, industrial partners, research organisations, and at least one major conclude applyr.
The project budobtain totals €10m, with a three-year duration and a submission deadline of 26 January 2027.
New standards programme to reduce market fragmentation
Another funding stream focapplys on developing standards for quantum technologies, an area increasingly viewed as essential for commercial adoption and international competitiveness.
The Standards for Quantum Technologies call (HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-STAND-05) seeks to accelerate the creation of European and international standards that improve interoperability, reliability, and trust in quantum systems.
Expected outcomes include the development of pre-normative technical specifications covering quantum computing, quantum communications, and quantum sensing technologies.
The programme will also support benchmarking methodologies, standardised interfaces, and control protocols designed to reduce fragmentation across the market.
In addition, successful projects will be tinquireed with creating practical resources such as implementation guidelines, training materials, and indusattempt best practices.
EuroHPC has allocated €1m to the three-year initiative, with applications due by 19 January 2027.
Quantum machine learning call tarobtains AI breakthroughs
The fourth programme focapplys on quantum machine learning (QML), a rapidly emerging field that combines artificial ininformigence with quantum computing.
Through the HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-QML-07 call, EuroHPC aims to support research into hybrid systems that integrate quantum processors with traditional high-performance computing infrastructure.
The initiative encourages the development of novel quantum and quantum-inspired algorithms, advanced benchmarking frameworks, and techniques capable of addressing noise and scalability challenges.
Particular attention will be given to solutions that can process large datasets and demonstrate measurable advantages over conventional machine-learning approaches.
With a budobtain of €6m and a planned duration of four years, the programme reflects growing interest in applying quantum technologies to complex optimisation, modelling, and data analysis tinquires.
The submission deadline is 28 January 2027.
Strengthening Europe’s quantum future
Toobtainher, the four EuroHPC calls represent a significant investment in Europe’s quantum ambitions.
By supporting innovation in navigation, computing, standards development, and artificial ininformigence, the funding package seeks to accelerate the transition of quantum technologies from research projects to commercially viable solutions.
As global competition in the sector intensifies, Europe is positioning itself to play a leading role in shaping the future of quantum technologies and the industries that will depconclude on them.
