Large-Scale Photonic Quantum Computing Platform Technologies (RIA)

The EU's Horizon Europe program is launching a significant funding initiative titled "Large-Scale Photonic Quantum Computing Platform Technologies" under the Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA). The grant, with a total budget of 10 million euros, aims to develop scalable, modular, and interoperable photonic quantum computing platforms. The opening date for applications is set for January 15, 2026, and the submission deadline is April 15, 2026, at 17:00 Brussels time.

This initiative targets the resolution of key technical challenges currently impeding advancements in photonic quantum computing, particularly focusing on the creation of photonic entanglement architectures and standardized control stacks that integrate hardware and software. The expected deliverables include the demonstration of a photonic Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) processor, with at least 100 photonic qubits by 2028, and the delivery of a full-stack photonic quantum computer with around 1,000 photonic qubits by 2030.

Eligible applicants must form a consortium led by a startup specializing in photonic quantum computing, and include academic institutions, industrial partners, and at least one major end-user. The geographical scope for participation includes EU Member States, Iceland, Norway, and several associated countries such as Canada, Israel, South Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the UK. Importantly, entities from China are excluded from participation in this funding opportunity.

The funding structure involves a single-stage application process where beneficiaries will receive direct financial grants to support their research and innovation activities without mandatory co-funding requirements. However, it is advisable for applicants to demonstrate financial sustainability and access to additional funding sources.

The initiative forms part of the strategic push for European technological sovereignty and aims to enhance the EU's leadership position in quantum technologies, a sector integral to Europe’s economic security and global competitiveness. The successful projects will not only contribute to the development of advanced quantum computing capabilities but also support industrialization efforts and the establishment of a sovereign supply chain for photonic quantum technologies.

The EU's Horizon Europe program is offering a funding opportunity, HORIZON-CL4-2026-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-18, titled "Large-Scale Photonic Quantum Computing Platform Technologies (RIA)". This Research and Innovation Action (RIA) aims to establish a strategic European initiative focused on developing scalable, modular, and interoperable photonic quantum computing platforms. The total budget for this topic in 2026 is 10,000,000 EUR, and it is anticipated that one grant will be awarded. The call is a single-stage process, with a planned opening date of January 15, 2026, and a deadline of April 15, 2026, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The primary goal of this initiative is to overcome technical roadblocks that currently hinder the advancement of photonic quantum computing. These roadblocks include:

1.  The lack of deterministic, high-efficiency photonic entanglement and loss-tolerant architectures suitable for fault-tolerant scaling.
2.  The absence of a standardized, integrated control stack combining photonic hardware, firmware, and system software with reliable benchmarking across platforms.

Successful projects are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:

1.  By 2028, a demonstration of a photonic NISQ (Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum) processor with at least 100 photonic qubits. This processor should integrate deterministic single-photon sources, low-loss waveguides, on-chip detectors, and a firmware stack (including a scheduler, controller, and compiler). The processor's performance should be validated using hardware-agnostic benchmarks and hybrid photonic-HPC (High-Performance Computing) applications, demonstrating classical-quantum crossover.
2.  By 2030, the delivery of a full-stack, high-connectivity photonic quantum computer with modular scalability, integrated on-chip and fibre-based interconnects, and high-fidelity gates (with error rates of 10^-3 or lower). This computer should have an indicative target of 1,000 photonic qubits, laying the groundwork for prototype demonstrations of quantum utility on industrially relevant workloads.
3.  System-level interoperability and standardization, with published interface specifications across photonic quantum hardware and software stacks. This includes specifications for packaging, APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), compiler interfaces, and cloud protocols compatible with telecom wavelengths.
4.  Validation of entanglement distribution across modules through standardized protocols and field-demonstration of interconnected photonic quantum processors.
5.  Acceleration of industrialization and commercialization, including a roadmap for pilot manufacturing lines, quality assurance protocols, and the development of a sovereign European supply chain for photonic quantum technologies.
6.  Demonstration of project results through a concrete use case provided by a major end-user partner within the consortium, validating the platform’s relevance and performance under real operational constraints.

The scope of this funding opportunity includes the following:

1.  Proposals are expected to be led by a startup with demonstrated expertise in photonic quantum computing.
2.  The startup should collaborate with relevant academic, industrial, and RTO (Research and Technology Organization) partners to ensure both technological depth and market orientation.
3.  The consortium should include at least one major end-user whose operational needs will shape the platform design and whose infrastructure will host the field demonstration of the project’s results.
4.  Proposals should implement a coordinated, durable R&I program that integrates hardware, software, system architecture, and application-level use cases.
5.  Activities should include:
 *  Platform development advancing open, scalable photonic quantum processors with semiconductor and/or glass-based photonic chips, integrated control electronics, firmware, and robust error mitigation and correction schemes.
 *  System integration realizing modular quantum nodes with photonic interconnects and validating scalable architectures under realistic noise, loss, and control constraints.
 *  Software stack co-design integrating low-level firmware, compilers, hybrid algorithms, and network APIs to demonstrate application-level quantum advantage and HPC interoperability.
6.  Proposals are expected to build upon prior Quantum Flagship results and demonstrate capacity to contribute actively to the governance and strategic coordination of the EU quantum computing ecosystem, including synergies with STEP, Chips JU, IPCEI projects and EuroHPC.

The destination of this topic is to achieve open strategic autonomy in digital and emerging enabling technologies. Leadership in frontier technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum, Photonics and Semiconductors is essential to Europe’s economic security and global competitiveness. Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in both Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) and Innovation Actions (IAs) falling under this destination.

General conditions for admissibility, eligibility, financial and operational capacity, exclusion, evaluation, award, and legal and financial set-up are described in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

Application form templates and evaluation form templates are available in the Submission System. Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide. Model Grant Agreements (MGA) are based on the HE MGA. Call-specific instructions are provided, including an Ownership Control Declaration Annex (new template to be added in January 2026). Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction, HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 7. Digital, Industry and Space, HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes, HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

Partner search announcements can be viewed or edited by LEARs, Account Administrators, or self-registrants after logging into the Portal. The submission system is planned to be opened on the date stated on the topic header.

This Horizon Europe funding opportunity seeks to foster the development of advanced photonic quantum computing platforms within Europe. It emphasizes collaboration between startups, academia, industry, and end-users to create scalable, interoperable, and standardized quantum computing solutions. The initiative aims to address critical technical challenges, promote industrialization, and secure a sovereign European supply chain in this strategically important technology area. Successful projects will contribute to demonstrating photonic quantum processors with increasing qubit counts and functionalities, ultimately paving the way for practical applications and quantum advantage in industrially relevant workloads. The focus on open standards and interoperability is intended to create a vibrant and competitive quantum computing ecosystem within Europe.

Eligible Applicant Types: The primary eligible applicant type is a startup with demonstrated expertise in photonic quantum computing. However, the startup is expected to collaborate with relevant academic, industrial, and RTO (Research and Technology Organization) partners. The consortium must also include at least one major end-user. Therefore, eligible applicant types include startup, academic institutions, industrial partners, RTOs, and end-users.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA).

Consortium Requirement: A consortium of multiple applicants is required. The proposal must be led by a startup and include academic, industrial, and RTO partners, as well as at least one major end-user.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): Participation is limited to legal entities established in Member States, Iceland, and Norway, as well as the following associated countries: Canada, Israel, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Entities from third countries that may become associated with Horizon Europe during 2026 and 2027 may also be eligible if their country is identified as eligible at the time of submission. Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate.

Target Sector: The program targets the following sectors: quantum computing, photonics, semiconductors, and digital technologies. It focuses on the development of scalable, modular, and interoperable photonic quantum computing platforms.

Mentioned Countries: Iceland, Norway, Canada, Israel, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom, China.

Project Stage: The project stage is between development and demonstration. The project aims to develop a photonic NISQ processor and deliver a full-stack, high-connectivity photonic quantum computer, ultimately demonstrating quantum utility on industrially relevant workloads.

Funding Amount: The funding amount for the topic HORIZON-CL4-2026-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-18 is EUR 10,000,000, with an indicative number of 1 grant.

Application Type: The application type is a single-stage open call.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant to support their research and innovation activities.

Application Stages: The application process consists of a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for the topic HORIZON-CL4-2026-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-18 is 1, suggesting a competitive selection process.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly state a co-funding requirement.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call, HORIZON-CL4-2026-04-DIGITAL-EMERGING-18, aims to establish a strategic European initiative focused on advancing photonic quantum computing. The call seeks proposals for Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) to develop scalable, modular, and interoperable photonic quantum computing platforms. The projects should address technical roadblocks such as photonic entanglement and standardized control stacks. The expected outcomes include demonstrating a photonic NISQ processor by 2028 and delivering a full-stack photonic quantum computer by 2030, with system-level interoperability and validation through industrial use cases. The call is targeted towards a consortium led by a startup with expertise in photonic quantum computing, collaborating with academic, industrial, and RTO partners, and including a major end-user. The geographic eligibility is limited to legal entities established in EU Member States, Iceland, Norway, and specific associated countries (Canada, Israel, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom), excluding legal entities established in China. The funding amount is EUR 10,000,000, and the application process is a single-stage open call. The overall goal is to strengthen Europe's leadership in quantum, photonics, and semiconductor technologies, ensuring its economic security and global competitiveness in the digital age.