Deadline Date: September 23, 2026
The European Commission is seeking applications to support the development of evaluation infrastructure and services for assessing and deploying advanced AI compute solutions across Europe.
The focus areas of this call include 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, and support for EU AI and HPC facilities.
The Topic B consortium will act as the provider of evaluation infrastructure and services to the Chips Joint Undertaking throughout the programme and as the buyer consortium during the procurement phase.
Proposals must be submitted by a consortium of EU-established legal entities forming a buyers’ group. The consortium should include at least one contracting authority or contracting entity operating an EU AI Factory or comparable EU public AI/HPC facility, and at least two EU-established Cloud Service Providers leading procurement lots in Phase 3.
During Phase 1, the consortium will prepare the common evaluation platform, test AI chip demonstrators, and provide factual and auditable evidence for assessment. The consortium will deliver a common EU evaluation platform, representative AI workload suite, auditable KPIs, and common software toolchains reflecting buyer requirements.
During Phase 2, the consortium will prepare the benchmark evaluation environment for rack-level testing and assess full AI systems. The activities include updating the benchmark evaluation platform, defining workloads and KPIs, supporting buyer environment specifications, and establishing neutral access procedures with conflict-of-interest safeguards.
During Phase 3, the consortium will conduct innovation procurement of pilot AI compute racks through multiple procurement lots based on benchmark evidence, buyer environment specifications, and supplier interactions developed in earlier phases.
The total available funding is €70,000,000, with funding ranging from €50,000,000 to €70,000,000.
Eligible consortia must include beneficiaries from at least three different Member States or EEA countries. Participation is subject to conditions related to the protection of European digital infrastructures, communication and information systems, and related supply chains.
Legal entities established in EU Member States or EEA countries that are controlled from third countries may participate only if they guarantee the protection of essential security interests of the Union and Member States and ensure the protection of classified information where applicable.
For more information, visit European Commission.
