Deadline: 26-Jan-2027
The European Union under Horizon Europe is inviting applications for a major strategic initiative focused on developing scalable, modular, and interoperable photonic quantum computing platforms. The initiative supports the advancement of photonic quantum technologies capable of overcoming critical technical barriers related to entanglement generation, fault tolerance, interoperability, system integration, and industrial scalability.
The action provides indicative funding between €9.5 million and €10 million and supports collaborative projects led by startups with expertise in photonic quantum computing. Projects are expected to contribute to Europe’s technological sovereignty and long-term leadership in quantum computing infrastructure and industrialisation.
What is the Horizon Europe Photonic Quantum Computing Initiative?
The Horizon Europe Photonic Quantum Computing Initiative is a large-scale European research and innovation action designed to accelerate the development of next-generation photonic quantum computing platforms.
The initiative focuses on solving critical technological challenges that currently limit the scalability, reliability, and industrial deployment of photonic quantum computing systems. It aims to establish a coordinated European effort that combines advanced photonic hardware, firmware, software, interoperability standards, industrialisation strategies, and high-performance computing integration.
The action also contributes to Europe’s ambitions for technological sovereignty, resilient supply chains, and global competitiveness in quantum computing technologies.
Programme Objectives
The initiative aims to:
- Develop scalable photonic quantum computing platforms.
- Advance deterministic photonic entanglement technologies.
- Improve fault-tolerant and loss-tolerant quantum architectures.
- Strengthen interoperability and modular integration.
- Accelerate industrialisation and commercialization of quantum photonics.
- Support hybrid quantum-classical computing systems.
- Improve European supply-chain sovereignty for quantum technologies.
- Establish standards and benchmarking methodologies for photonic quantum systems.
Key Focus Areas
The opportunity supports a broad range of photonic quantum computing research and innovation activities.
Priority focus areas include:
- Photonic quantum computing platforms.
- Deterministic high-efficiency photonic entanglement.
- Fault-tolerant scaling architectures.
- Loss-tolerant quantum systems.
- Integrated control stacks and firmware.
- Photonic hardware and software integration.
- Benchmarking methodologies and validation systems.
- Photonic NISQ processors.
- Deterministic single-photon sources.
- Low-loss waveguides and on-chip detectors.
- Hybrid photonic-HPC applications.
- Modular scalability and fibre-based interconnects.
- High-fidelity quantum gates.
- System interoperability and standardisation.
- Error mitigation and correction approaches.
- HPC interoperability and quantum-classical integration.
- Industrialisation and pilot manufacturing development.
These activities are intended to support future industrial-scale quantum computing systems in Europe.
Major Technical Challenges Addressed
Projects are expected to provide credible solutions to at least two major technical challenges.
Key challenges include:
- Development of deterministic and highly efficient photonic entanglement technologies.
- Creation of scalable fault-tolerant photonic architectures.
- Development of integrated hardware-software control stacks.
- Reliable benchmarking and validation frameworks.
- Scalable modular quantum system integration.
- Standardisation and interoperability across photonic platforms.
The initiative emphasizes practical, scalable, and industrially relevant solutions.
2028 Milestone Expectations
By 2028, funded projects are expected to demonstrate:
- A photonic NISQ processor with at least 100 photonic qubits.
- Deterministic single-photon source integration.
- Low-loss waveguides and on-chip detector systems.
- Integrated firmware stacks for scheduling and compilation.
- Hardware-agnostic benchmarking validation.
- Hybrid photonic-HPC application demonstrations.
Projects should also demonstrate classical-quantum crossover capabilities through realistic applications.
2030 Long-Term Objectives
The initiative also establishes ambitious long-term targets for 2030.
Expected outcomes include:
- Full-stack photonic quantum computers.
- Modular scalability with integrated quantum nodes.
- Fibre-based and on-chip interconnect systems.
- High-fidelity quantum gate operations.
- Systems approaching 1,000 photonic qubits.
- Demonstration of quantum utility for industrial workloads.
These developments aim to establish Europe as a global leader in scalable photonic quantum computing.
Interoperability and Standardisation Requirements
A major component of the initiative focuses on interoperability and technical standardisation.
Projects are expected to support:
- Hardware and software interface standards.
- Packaging and integration standards.
- Compiler and application programming interfaces (APIs).
- Cloud communication protocols.
- Telecommunications wavelength compatibility.
- Interconnected modular photonic quantum systems.
Validation activities should include:
- Entanglement distribution between modular systems.
- Field demonstrations of interconnected quantum processors.
These efforts help reduce fragmentation and improve long-term ecosystem integration.
Industrialisation and Commercialisation Focus
The initiative strongly emphasizes industrial deployment and commercial readiness.
Projects are expected to contribute to:
- Pilot manufacturing line development.
- Quality assurance procedures.
- Industrial production planning.
- Commercial scalability roadmaps.
- Sovereign European quantum supply chains.
- Commercial deployment strategies.
Applicants should demonstrate clear pathways toward market adoption and industrial scalability.
Use Case and End-User Validation
Projects must include:
- At least one major end-user partner within the consortium.
- Realistic operational use cases.
- Validation under practical deployment conditions.
- Industry-relevant demonstration environments.
End-user engagement is essential to ensure practical relevance and market alignment.
Consortium Requirements
Proposals are expected to be led by:
- A startup with proven expertise in photonic quantum computing.
Consortia should include:
- Academic institutions.
- Research and technology organisations.
- Industrial partners.
- Quantum technology developers.
- High-performance computing stakeholders.
- Major operational end-users.
Collaborative ecosystem participation is strongly encouraged.
Software Stack and HPC Integration
Software co-design and HPC interoperability are central components of the initiative.
Projects should include:
- Low-level firmware integration.
- Compiler development.
- Hybrid quantum-classical algorithms.
- Network APIs and orchestration systems.
- HPC interoperability and integration.
- Application-level quantum advantage demonstrations.
These activities aim to strengthen integration between photonic quantum systems and advanced computing infrastructures.
Synergies with European Quantum Ecosystems
Applicants are encouraged to build upon previous European quantum initiatives and programs.
Relevant synergies include:
- Quantum Flagship programme.
- STEP initiatives.
- Chips Joint Undertaking.
- IPCEI projects.
- EuroHPC initiatives.
Projects should demonstrate contribution to European quantum governance and ecosystem coordination.
Why This Initiative Matters
Photonic quantum computing is considered one of the most promising approaches for scalable quantum technologies due to its compatibility with telecommunications infrastructure and potential for modular scalability.
This initiative is important because it helps:
- Accelerate scalable quantum computing development.
- Strengthen European technological sovereignty.
- Improve interoperability and industrial readiness.
- Reduce reliance on non-European suppliers.
- Advance HPC-quantum integration capabilities.
- Support future industrial and scientific quantum applications.
- Strengthen Europe’s global competitiveness in quantum technologies.
The initiative also contributes to long-term strategic autonomy and next-generation computing leadership.
Funding Available
The indicative funding available for this topic ranges from:
- €9,500,000 to €10,000,000.
Funding supports:
- Platform development.
- Hardware and firmware integration.
- Benchmarking and validation activities.
- Industrialisation and manufacturing planning.
- HPC interoperability development.
- Standardisation and ecosystem coordination.
Who is Eligible?
Participation is open to:
- Startups and SMEs.
- Universities and research organisations.
- Industrial technology companies.
- International organisations.
- Public and private legal entities.
Participation is open regardless of place of establishment, including:
- Non-associated third countries.
- International entities.
All applicants must comply with Horizon Europe eligibility conditions.
Participation Requirements
Applicants are required to:
- Register in the Horizon Europe Participant Register.
- Obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC).
- Complete required validation procedures before grant agreement signature.
Compliance with Horizon Europe participation rules is mandatory.
Expected Outcomes
The initiative is expected to achieve several strategic and technical outcomes.
Expected results include:
- Development of scalable photonic quantum computing systems.
- Improved fault-tolerant and modular architectures.
- Stronger interoperability and standardisation frameworks.
- Advanced quantum-HPC integration capabilities.
- Pilot manufacturing and industrialisation roadmaps.
- Increased European supply-chain resilience.
- Demonstration of quantum utility for industrial applications.
The initiative also supports Europe’s long-term leadership in photonic quantum computing.
How Applications are Evaluated
Applications are likely to be assessed based on:
- Technical excellence and innovation.
- Scalability and industrialisation potential.
- Quality of interoperability and standardisation approaches.
- Consortium expertise and ecosystem integration.
- HPC and software integration capabilities.
- Commercialization and manufacturing readiness.
- Contribution to European sovereignty objectives.
Strong proposals should combine advanced technical innovation with realistic industrial and commercial deployment strategies.
Tips for Preparing a Strong Proposal
Applicants can strengthen their proposals by focusing on the following areas:
- Demonstrate strong photonic quantum expertise.
- Include scalable industrialisation and commercialization plans.
- Show strong interoperability and standardisation strategies.
- Include credible benchmarking and validation methodologies.
- Demonstrate robust HPC and software integration.
- Engage strong industrial and end-user partners.
- Address European supply-chain sovereignty and resilience.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid the following issues:
- Weak scalability or industrialisation planning.
- Limited interoperability and standardisation approaches.
- Insufficient HPC integration strategies.
- Weak end-user involvement or practical validation plans.
- Unrealistic commercialization timelines.
- Incomplete Horizon Europe registration procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the purpose of this Horizon Europe initiative?
The initiative supports the development of scalable, modular, and interoperable photonic quantum computing platforms capable of overcoming key technological barriers.
How much funding is available?
Indicative funding ranges from €9.5 million to €10 million.
What technologies are supported?
The action supports photonic quantum computing platforms, deterministic entanglement technologies, integrated control stacks, modular quantum systems, and HPC interoperability.
Who can participate?
Participation is open to legal entities worldwide, including startups, research organisations, industries, and international organisations.
Who should lead the consortium?
Proposals are expected to be led by a startup with expertise in photonic quantum computing.
What are the 2028 targets?
Projects are expected to demonstrate a photonic NISQ processor with at least 100 photonic qubits by 2028.
What are the long-term objectives?
By 2030, the initiative aims to support scalable photonic quantum computers approaching 1,000 photonic qubits with industrially relevant quantum utility demonstrations.
Conclusion
The Horizon Europe Initiative for Scalable Photonic Quantum Computing Platforms provides substantial funding and strategic support for the development of next-generation photonic quantum technologies in Europe. Through advanced hardware integration, interoperability frameworks, industrialisation planning, HPC integration, and scalable system architectures, the initiative aims to strengthen Europe’s global leadership in quantum computing innovation.
The action also contributes to technological sovereignty, industrial resilience, and long-term quantum ecosystem development. Organisations with strong expertise in photonic quantum technologies, quantum software, industrial manufacturing, and HPC integration are encouraged to develop ambitious and collaborative proposals for this major Horizon Europe opportunity.
For more information, visit EC.
