Open Call: AI Compute Infrastructure Development Grant

The European Commission AI Compute Evaluation Infrastructure Call 2026 supports the development of a common European evaluation platform for testing, benchmarking, and deploying advanced AI compute technologies across Europe. With total funding of €70 million, the call seeks multinational consortia to establish AI evaluation infrastructure, define standardized benchmarks and KPIs, and conduct innovation procurement of pilot AI compute racks for European AI and High-Performance Computing (HPC) facilities.

What is the AI Compute Evaluation Infrastructure Call?

The AI Compute Evaluation Infrastructure Call (Topic B) is a funding opportunity under the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) that aims to strengthen Europe’s AI and semiconductor ecosystem by developing a shared evaluation infrastructure for advanced AI computing technologies.

The programme will establish standardized methods for evaluating AI chips, AI systems, and AI compute infrastructure before they are deployed across European AI Factories and High-Performance Computing (HPC) facilities. It also supports innovation procurement, ensuring that purchasing decisions are based on transparent and evidence-based performance assessments.

Programme Overview

Programme Name: AI Compute Evaluation Infrastructure Call (Topic B)
Funding Authority: European Commission
Programme: Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU)
Programme Type: Evaluation Infrastructure and Innovation Procurement
Total Funding Available: €70,000,000
Expected Funding per Project: €50,000,000–€70,000,000
Target Sector: Artificial Intelligence (AI), High-Performance Computing (HPC), Semiconductor Technologies
Eligible Applicants: Consortia of eligible EU-established legal entities

Purpose of the Call

The programme aims to build a common European infrastructure for evaluating advanced AI compute technologies and supporting evidence-based procurement decisions.

Its objectives include:

Developing a common AI compute evaluation platform.
Testing advanced AI chip demonstrators.
Establishing standardized benchmarks and KPIs.
Supporting AI system assessment.
Creating common software toolchains.
Developing representative AI workload suites.
Supporting AI Factories and HPC facilities.
Enabling innovation procurement of AI compute infrastructure.
Strengthening Europe’s AI and semiconductor resilience.

Why This Programme Matters

Artificial Intelligence increasingly depends on powerful computing infrastructure, making reliable evaluation of AI hardware and systems essential. Europe is investing in AI chips and HPC capabilities to strengthen technological sovereignty and reduce dependence on external suppliers.

This programme creates common European standards for evaluating AI hardware, ensuring that future AI infrastructure is secure, efficient, interoperable, and capable of supporting research, industry, and public services. It also provides objective benchmark evidence to improve procurement decisions and foster innovation across the European semiconductor ecosystem.

Key Focus Areas

The call supports projects in areas including:

AI compute evaluation infrastructure.
Common KPI development.
Testbed preparation.
Benchmark evaluation of AI chip demonstrators.
AI systems assessment.
Common software toolchains.
Representative AI workload suites.
Auditable KPIs.
Neutral access procedures.
Innovation procurement of pilot AI compute racks.
Support for EU AI Factories.
Support for High-Performance Computing (HPC) facilities.

What is AI Compute Evaluation Infrastructure?

AI compute evaluation infrastructure is a standardized environment for testing and benchmarking AI hardware and systems. It enables consistent measurement of performance, efficiency, scalability, and reliability across different AI computing solutions.

The infrastructure will:

Evaluate AI chips and AI systems.
Measure performance using standardized benchmarks.
Assess energy efficiency.
Test compatibility with AI software.
Produce auditable performance data.
Support procurement decisions.
Improve transparency across the European AI ecosystem.

Programme Phases

Phase 1: Development of the Evaluation Platform

During the first phase, the consortium will establish the core evaluation infrastructure.

Key activities include:

Developing a common EU evaluation platform.
Testing AI chip demonstrators.
Producing factual and auditable performance evidence.
Developing representative AI workload suites.
Creating common software toolchains.
Defining standardized and auditable KPIs.

The outputs of this phase will serve as the foundation for future benchmarking and procurement.

Phase 2: Benchmark Evaluation Environment

The second phase focuses on evaluating complete AI systems and preparing procurement-ready testing environments.

Activities include:

Updating the benchmark evaluation platform.
Preparing rack-level testing environments.
Defining benchmark workloads.
Refining performance KPIs.
Supporting buyer environment specifications.
Establishing neutral access procedures.
Implementing conflict-of-interest safeguards.

This phase ensures that AI systems are assessed using objective and transparent methodologies.

Phase 3: Innovation Procurement

The final phase focuses on procuring pilot AI compute racks based on benchmark evidence generated during earlier phases.

Activities include:

Conducting innovation procurement.
Managing multiple procurement lots.
Purchasing pilot AI compute racks.
Using benchmark evidence for procurement decisions.
Engaging suppliers.
Coordinating procurement activities among buyers.

Role of the Topic B Consortium

The selected consortium will have two primary responsibilities.

Evaluation Infrastructure Provider

The consortium will:

Operate the common EU evaluation platform.
Conduct AI hardware and system evaluations.
Produce benchmark evidence.
Maintain standardized testing methodologies.
Support the Chips Joint Undertaking throughout the programme.

Buyer Consortium

During procurement, the consortium will:

Coordinate innovation procurement activities.
Develop procurement specifications.
Manage procurement lots.
Support buyer decision-making.
Ensure transparent and neutral procurement procedures.

Who is Eligible?

Applications must be submitted by a consortium of eligible legal entities established within the European Union.

Eligible participants include:

Public authorities.
Contracting authorities.
Contracting entities.
AI Factories.
High-Performance Computing (HPC) facilities.
Universities.
Research organizations.
Technology companies.
Cloud Service Providers.
Other eligible legal entities established in EU Member States or EEA countries.

Consortium Requirements

To be eligible, the consortium must satisfy all of the following conditions:

Include beneficiaries from at least three different EU Member States or EEA countries.
Include at least one contracting authority or contracting entity operating:
- An EU AI Factory, or
- A comparable EU public AI or HPC facility.
Include at least two EU-established Cloud Service Providers that will lead procurement lots during Phase 3.
Form a buyers’ group capable of supporting procurement activities.

The consortium should collectively possess expertise across AI computing, semiconductor technologies, benchmarking, procurement, cloud services, and HPC infrastructure.

Security and Participation Requirements

Participation is subject to security conditions that protect Europe’s critical digital infrastructure.

Applicants must demonstrate:

Protection of European digital infrastructures.
Security of communication and information systems.
Protection of semiconductor-related supply chains.
Compliance with applicable EU security requirements.
Protection of classified information where relevant.

Legal entities established in EU Member States or EEA countries but controlled by third countries may participate only if they can guarantee the protection of the essential security interests of the European Union and its Member States.

Funding Information

The programme offers significant financial support for large-scale collaborative projects.

Total Programme Budget: €70,000,000
Expected Funding per Project: €50,000,000–€70,000,000

Funding supports the development of evaluation infrastructure, benchmarking platforms, AI system assessments, software toolchains, procurement preparation, and innovation procurement activities.

How the Programme Works

Applicants should follow these general steps:

Form an eligible multinational consortium.
Ensure all consortium members meet eligibility requirements.
Include the required AI Factory or comparable HPC facility.
Include at least two eligible EU Cloud Service Providers.
Develop a proposal covering all three implementation phases.
Design the evaluation platform, benchmark methodology, and procurement strategy.
Submit the proposal under the Chips Joint Undertaking call.
If selected, implement the project across all three programme phases.

Benefits of Participating

Successful consortia will receive:

Funding of up to €70 million.
Leadership in Europe’s AI evaluation infrastructure.
Collaboration with leading AI and HPC organizations.
Participation in strategic semiconductor initiatives.
Opportunities to shape European AI benchmarking standards.
Access to European innovation ecosystems.
Long-term collaboration with public buyers.
Enhanced visibility within the European technology sector.

Tips for a Strong Proposal

To strengthen your proposal:

Build a consortium covering AI, HPC, cloud services, semiconductor technologies, benchmarking, and procurement.
Clearly define the responsibilities of each partner.
Present a robust evaluation methodology.
Explain how benchmark results will support procurement decisions.
Demonstrate expertise in AI software toolchains and workload development.
Address long-term sustainability and interoperability.
Include strong governance and conflict-of-interest safeguards.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Failing to meet consortium eligibility requirements.
Omitting the required AI Factory or comparable HPC facility.
Not including two eligible Cloud Service Providers.
Providing unclear benchmarking methodologies.
Ignoring security and infrastructure protection requirements.
Presenting weak procurement planning.
Submitting incomplete technical proposals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the AI Compute Evaluation Infrastructure Call?

It is a European Commission funding programme that supports the creation of a common European platform for evaluating AI chips, AI systems, and advanced AI computing infrastructure.

2. How much funding is available?

The programme has a total budget of €70 million, with individual projects expected to receive between €50 million and €70 million.

3. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants are consortia of EU-established legal entities that meet the required consortium composition and security conditions.

4. What is the purpose of the evaluation platform?

The platform will benchmark AI hardware and AI systems, develop standardized KPIs, generate auditable performance evidence, and support procurement decisions for European AI and HPC facilities.

5. What are the three implementation phases?

The programme consists of:

Phase 1: Develop the evaluation platform and benchmark tools.
Phase 2: Prepare benchmark environments for rack-level AI system testing.
Phase 3: Conduct innovation procurement of pilot AI compute racks.

6. What organizations must be included in the consortium?

The consortium must include:

At least one contracting authority or contracting entity operating an EU AI Factory or comparable public AI/HPC facility.
At least two EU-established Cloud Service Providers.
Beneficiaries from at least three different EU Member States or EEA countries.

7. Why is this programme important?

The programme strengthens Europe’s AI and semiconductor ecosystem by creating trusted evaluation infrastructure, supporting transparent procurement, improving AI system benchmarking, and enhancing the resilience and competitiveness of European digital infrastructure.

Conclusion

The European Commission AI Compute Evaluation Infrastructure Call 2026 represents a major investment in Europe’s future AI and semiconductor capabilities. By funding the development of a common evaluation platform, standardized benchmarking methods, and innovation procurement for advanced AI compute systems, the programme will strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty and support the deployment of secure, high-performance AI infrastructure. Organizations with expertise in AI, HPC, cloud technologies, semiconductor systems, and public procurement are encouraged to form strong multinational consortia and contribute to the next generation of European AI innovation.