EuroHPC Joint Undertaking has substantially expanded its quantum call portfolio since early June 2026. An initial batch of four calls covered quantum sensors, photonic quantum computing platforms, quantum standards and quantum machine learning. On 13 August 2026, EuroHPC JU opened six further calls covering neutral-atom, superconducting and trapped-ion computing platforms, next-generation QKD systems, and quantum pilot lines and testing infrastructure. In total, ten quantum-related calls are now open. This article also points to broader developments linking high-performance computing, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.

4 call topics opened 2 June 2026

EuroHPC JU opened four 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.

6 additional call topics opened 13 August 2026

EuroHPC JU has since opened a second, larger wave of quantum calls, bringing the total number of open quantum-related calls to ten. These six calls all opened on 13 August 2026 and share a single deadline of 17 November 2026, 17:00 (CET):

• Neutral-Atom Platform Technologies (HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-NAPT-11) – 17/11/26
• Superconducting Platform Technologies – 17/11/26
• Trapped-Ion Platform Technologies – 17/11/26
• Next-Generation QKD Systems – 17/11/26
• Quantum Experimental Pilot Lines for Quantum Technologies – 17/11/26
• Quantum-Testing Infrastructure for Quantum Technologies – 17/11/26

Together, these calls target most of the major quantum hardware platforms (neutral-atom, superconducting, trapped-ion), secure quantum communication (QKD), and the infrastructure needed to bring quantum technologies from lab to industrial scale (pilot lines and testing/validation infrastructure). The neutral-atom call, for example, aims to deliver industry-ready, cloud-accessible quantum processors and simulators of up to 10,000 physical qubits, interoperable with HPC environments — illustrative of the scale and ambition across this batch.

Full call texts, eligibility conditions and submission details are available via the EuroHPC JU Research & Innovation Calls page.

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 & Infrastructure

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 — including this second, larger wave of platform-technology calls — 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.

This article is a substantial update of an earlier published version.