EuroHPC Joint Undertaking launched four new calls on 2 June 2026 focused on quantum innovation and standardisation in Europe. The calls cover quantum sensors, photonic quantum computing platforms, quantum standards and quantum machine learning, with deadlines in Sep 2026 and Jan 2027. This article update also points to broader developments linking high-performance computing, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.

4 new call topics on Quantum topics

EuroHPC JU opened four new calls as part of its growing quantum activities. The topics are quantum sensors for inertial navigation in GNSS-denied or contested environments, large-scale photonic quantum computing platform technologies, standards for quantum technologies, and quantum machine learning.

• Large-Scale Photonic Quantum Computing Platform Technologies (HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-PQC-06) – 30/9/26
• Standards for Quantum Technologies (HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-STAND-05) – 30/9/26
• Grand Challenge on Quantum Sensors for Inertial Navigation (HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-NGC-04) – 14/1/27
• Quantum Machine Learning (HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-QML-07) – 28/1/27

The deadlines for photonic quantum computing platforms and quantum standards are on 30 September 2026, the two other call topics (quantum sensors inertial navigation, quantum machine learning) are in January 2027.

EuroHPC and Quantum Europe Strategy

These calls sit within a wider European policy and infrastructure context. Current strategic discussions around the Quantum Europe Strategy and the expanded EuroHPC JU mandate point to several parallel action lines: deployment of quantum computers and simulators, preparation of competence clusters, first steps towards secure quantum networking, supply-chain mapping, skills and talent actions, and international cooperation with partners including Canada, Korea and Japan.

Six technical roadmaps are also being prepared on quantum computing and simulation, quantum communication, quantum sensing and metrology, quantum supply chain and enabling technologies, quantum chips industrialisation, and European quantum standards. These roadmaps are expected to look at cross-cutting issues such as security and defence aspects, standardisation, pilot lines, testing facilities and enabling conditions.

Quantum topics linked with AI & Infrastucture

EuroHPC JU is also expanding the links between quantum, AI and HPC infrastructure. In Bologna, SOL, the sixth EuroHPC quantum computer, was inaugurated together with LISA, the AI-optimised upgrade of the Leonardo supercomputer. SOL is based on neutral atoms and is designed to support hybrid quantum-classical workflows, while LISA aims to strengthen AI-intensive workloads, including large language models and multimodal generative AI.

In parallel, the European Commission selected the EUROPA consortium, as winner of the Frontier AI Grand Challenge; the consortium is expected to develop an open-source frontier AI model covering all 24 official EU languages on European infrastructure.

On governance, EuroHPC JU has added a new Quantum Technologies Advisory Group alongside RIAG (the Research and Innovation Advisory Group - looks ahead at “what Europe should develop next") and INFRAG (Infrastructure Advisory Group - focuses on “what infrastructure Europe should build and operate”) to advise on quantum development, deployment, integration into the European HPC ecosystem, international cooperation, skills, standardisation and security.

If you are looking at future funding, infrastructure access and the growing connection between quantum, AI and HPC capabilities in Europe, make sure to get involved in the EuroHPC JU ecosystem.

You may also wish to attend ISC High Performance 2026 in Hamburg, with activities linked to supercomputers, Centres of Excellence, quantum computing projects and skills initiatives, including EuroQHPC-Integration, EuroQCS, HPCQS, QEX/QEC4QEA, HPCTRAIN, EUMaster4HPC and the HPC in Europe Portal.