Apply Now: AI Compute Chip Development Programme

The European Commission is inviting applications for projects that develop and evaluate AI chip solutions for Europe’s next-generation compute infrastructure. With a total budget of €10 million, the call offers grants of €500,000 to €1 million to eligible international consortia developing innovative AI chips, software integration, and energy-efficient computing technologies.

What is the European Commission AI Chip Solutions Call?

The AI Chip Solutions Call is a European Commission funding programme that supports the design, integration, testing, and evaluation of advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) chips for European high-performance computing and AI infrastructure.

The initiative aims to strengthen Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem by supporting AI chip innovation, improving system performance, increasing energy efficiency, and enhancing technological sovereignty in AI computing.

Projects should deliver AI chip demonstrators, integrate complete software stacks, and contribute to future AI compute rack development.

Background

Artificial Intelligence is driving demand for advanced computing infrastructure capable of supporting increasingly complex AI workloads.

To reduce dependence on non-European technologies and strengthen digital resilience, the European Commission is investing in:

• AI semiconductor technologies.
• European chip design capabilities.
• Energy-efficient computing.
• Software ecosystems.
• Secure digital infrastructure.
• High-performance AI systems.

The programme contributes to Europe’s broader strategy for semiconductor innovation and secure digital infrastructure.

Programme Objectives

The call aims to:

• Accelerate European AI chip development.
• Strengthen the European semiconductor ecosystem.
• Improve AI computing performance.
• Support energy-efficient AI hardware.
• Advance software-hardware integration.
• Demonstrate AI chip readiness for deployment.
• Build roadmaps toward full AI compute rack solutions.

Key Highlights

• Programme Name: AI Chip Solutions for European Compute Infrastructure
• Organiser: European Commission
• Total Available Funding: €10,000,000
• Grant Amount: €500,000 to €1,000,000 per project
• Project Focus: AI chip development, system integration, software, and benchmarking
• Eligible Applicants: International consortia meeting programme requirements

Focus Areas

Projects should address one or more of the following areas.

AI Chip Design

Projects may support:

• AI processor design.
• Semiconductor architecture.
• Custom AI accelerators.
• Advanced AI hardware development.

Intellectual Property (IP)

Eligible activities include:

• Development of AI chip intellectual property.
• Proprietary semiconductor technologies.
• Hardware innovation.
• European IP generation.

System Integration

Projects should include:

• Hardware integration.
• Platform development.
• System optimisation.
• AI infrastructure integration.

Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM)

The programme supports collaboration with:

• System integrators.
• Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
• Hardware solution providers.

AI Chip Demonstrators

Projects must develop demonstrators that include:

• AI chip.
• Printed Circuit Board (PCB).
• Cooling systems.
• Interconnect components.

Benchmark Evaluation

The initiative supports:

• Performance benchmarking.
• Standardised testing.
• Reproducible evaluation.
• AI workload validation.

Software Stack Integration

Projects should integrate:

• Device drivers.
• Compilers.
• Runtime software.
• AI frameworks.
• Software optimisation tools.

Energy Efficiency

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Reduced power consumption.
• Efficient hardware operation.
• Sustainable AI computing.
• Performance-per-watt improvements.

Development Roadmaps

Projects should prepare roadmaps toward:

• Full AI compute racks.
• Scalable AI infrastructure.
• Future commercial deployment.

Technical Requirements

Applicants must satisfy several technical conditions.

AI Chip Requirements

Each proposal must include:

• At least one EU-established fabless AI chip design company.
• Responsibility for AI chip design and related intellectual property.

Tape-Out Status

The proposed AI chip must:

• Have been taped out at a commercial foundry.
• Have engineering samples available or expected within three months after the submission deadline.

Printed Circuit Board (PCB)

The project must include a PCB that is:

• Designed.
• In production or expected within six months after the submission deadline.
• Ready for benchmark evaluation.

Demonstrator Completion

Within six months, the consortium must complete an AI chip demonstrator including:

• AI chip.
• PCB.
• Cooling solution.
• Interconnect components.

Software Integration

The demonstrator must integrate:

• Drivers.
• Compiler.
• Runtime environment.
• AI framework support.
• Required software stack for benchmark testing.

Benchmark Submission

The completed demonstrator must be delivered to a common evaluation platform for:

• Controlled benchmarking.
• Reproducible testing.
• AI workload evaluation.

Final Reporting

The consortium must submit a technical report covering:

• AI chip architecture.
• Energy efficiency.
• Software maturity.
• Roadmap toward a complete AI compute rack.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include legal entities participating in international consortia.

Potential participants include:

• Fabless AI chip design companies.
• System integrators.
• Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
• Research organisations.
• Universities.
• Technology companies.
• Semiconductor developers.

Consortium Requirements

To qualify, each consortium must:

• Include beneficiaries from at least three different EU Member States or EEA countries.
• Include at least one EU-established fabless AI chip design company.
• Meet all security and eligibility conditions established by the European Commission.

Security and Eligibility Requirements

Participation is subject to requirements protecting:

• European digital infrastructure.
• Communication systems.
• Information systems.
• Semiconductor supply chains.
• Classified information where applicable.

Legal entities controlled from third countries may participate only if they can demonstrate protection of the essential security interests of the European Union and its Member States.

Funding Information

• Total Budget: €10,000,000
• Grant Amount per Project: €500,000 to €1,000,000

Funding supports AI chip development, software integration, demonstrator construction, benchmarking, and evaluation activities.

How to Apply

Interested organisations should:

1. Review the official European Commission call documentation.
2. Confirm organisational eligibility.
3. Form an eligible multinational consortium.
4. Include an EU-established fabless AI chip design company.
5. Develop a proposal aligned with the technical requirements.
6. Prepare a detailed work plan, technical methodology, budget, and implementation schedule.
7. Submit the proposal through the official European Commission funding portal before the application deadline.

Why This Programme Matters

Advanced AI chips are essential for Europe’s digital future.

This programme helps to:

• Strengthen Europe’s semiconductor industry.
• Promote technological sovereignty.
• Accelerate AI hardware innovation.
• Improve computing efficiency.
• Support secure digital infrastructure.
• Enhance collaboration between industry and research.
• Build future-ready AI computing platforms.

The initiative contributes to Europe’s long-term competitiveness in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.

Tips for a Strong Proposal

To improve your application:

• Build a consortium with complementary technical expertise.
• Demonstrate innovation beyond existing AI chip technologies.
• Clearly explain software-hardware integration.
• Include realistic benchmarking and evaluation plans.
• Provide measurable performance and energy-efficiency targets.
• Address cybersecurity and supply chain considerations.
• Present a credible roadmap for future commercial deployment.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common issues:

• Failing to include an eligible EU-established fabless AI chip design company.
• Submitting proposals without engineering sample readiness.
• Providing incomplete software integration plans.
• Ignoring benchmarking requirements.
• Overlooking security and eligibility conditions.
• Presenting unrealistic implementation timelines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the objective of this programme?

The programme supports the development and evaluation of innovative AI chip solutions that strengthen Europe’s AI compute infrastructure and semiconductor ecosystem.

2. How much funding is available?

The call has a total budget of €10 million, with individual grants ranging from €500,000 to €1 million.

3. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants are international consortia including legal entities from at least three EU Member States or EEA countries, with at least one EU-established fabless AI chip design company.

4. What types of projects are supported?

Projects involving AI chip design, intellectual property development, software integration, system integration, AI demonstrators, benchmarking, energy-efficient computing, and AI infrastructure development are eligible.

5. What technical deliverables are required?

Projects must deliver an AI chip demonstrator, integrate the required software stack, complete benchmark testing, and submit a final technical report with a roadmap for a full AI compute rack.

6. Are there security requirements?

Yes. Applicants must comply with requirements related to the protection of European digital infrastructure, communication systems, information systems, semiconductor supply chains, and, where applicable, classified information.

7. Why is this programme important?

The initiative strengthens Europe’s strategic autonomy in AI and semiconductor technologies by supporting innovative AI chips, secure digital infrastructure, energy-efficient computing, and collaboration across the European technology ecosystem.

Conclusion

The European Commission AI Chip Solutions Call 2026 provides a valuable opportunity for organisations developing advanced AI semiconductor technologies to contribute to Europe’s next generation of AI compute infrastructure. With €10 million available and grants of €500,000 to €1 million, the programme supports collaborative innovation in AI chip design, software integration, benchmarking, and energy-efficient computing while reinforcing Europe’s leadership in secure and sustainable digital technologies.