Large-Scale Photonic Quantum Computing Platform Technologies (RIA)

Overview

Funding for consortia developing scalable, modular photonic quantum computing platforms to overcome key technical roadblocks in hardware, software, and system integration. Targets startups leading collaborations with academia, industry, and end-users to deliver high-qubit processors and standardised control stacks by 2030.

Who Can Apply

Consortia led by startups with photonic quantum computing expertise, including academic institutions, research and technology organisations (RTOs), industrial partners, and at least one major end-user. Eligible entities must be established in EU Member States, Iceland, Norway, or associated countries (Canada, Israel, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom). Entities controlled by non-eligible countries may participate only with approved guarantees ensuring no negative impact on EU strategic interests.

Funding Details

Maximum grant amount: 23,500,000 EUR. Funding rate and co-funding requirements follow Horizon Europe rules for Research and Innovation Actions (RIA).

What Is Funded

Development of scalable photonic quantum computing platforms addressing:

• Deterministic high-efficiency photonic entanglement and loss-tolerant architectures.
• Standardised, integrated control stacks (hardware, firmware, system software) with cross-platform benchmarking.
• Modular quantum processors with ≥100 photonic qubits (2028 target) and ≥1,000 qubits (2030 target), including single-photon sources, low-loss waveguides, on-chip detectors, and hybrid photonic-HPC applications.
• System-level interoperability, including packaging, APIs, compiler interfaces, and cloud protocols compatible with telecom wavelengths.
• Entanglement distribution across modules and field demonstrations of interconnected processors.
• Industrialisation roadmaps, including pilot manufacturing lines, quality assurance protocols, and a sovereign European supply chain.
• Validation through a concrete use case provided by an end-user partner.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

Activities must start at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and achieve TRL 7 by project completion.

Key Dates

• Open date: 2026-01-14
• Deadline: 2026-04-14T22:00:00Z

Application Process (High-Level)

Single-stage submission via the Horizon Europe Funding & Tenders Portal. Proposals must adhere to page limits and layout specified in the Application Form (Part B).

Geographic Scope & Language

Eligible countries: EU Member States, Iceland, Norway, and associated countries (Canada, Israel, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom). Application language: English.

Notes

• Proposals must demonstrate alignment with prior Quantum Flagship results and contribute to EU quantum computing ecosystem governance, including synergies with STEP, Chips JU, IPCEI projects, and EuroHPC.
• Entities assessed as high-risk suppliers of mobile network communication equipment (or controlled by such suppliers) are ineligible unless exempted under specific conditions.
• Consortium must include a major end-user to validate platform relevance and performance under operational constraints.