Deadline: January 08, 2026
The European Commission’s Horizon Europe programme invites startups to submit proposals for the Quantum Grand Challenge, aiming to develop integrated quantum computing solutions through a Phase 1 roadmap and preliminary prototypes, to accelerate scientific innovation, economic relevance, and industrial-scale deployment across Europe.
Phase 1 of the Quantum Grand Challenge focuses on establishing a comprehensive technical and financial roadmap that showcases the potential of startups’ quantum computing solutions. Participants are expected to deliver tangible prototypes and proofs of principle that demonstrate the feasibility of fully integrated hardware and software systems. The roadmap should include performance milestones, risk assessments, financial viability analysis, and commercialization timelines, along with benchmarking strategies at component, system, and application levels.
Proposals should highlight how the quantum computing solution will deliver quantifiable improvements in selected sectors, supported by Expressions of Interest from potential end-user partners. Technical performance metrics, such as qubit number, quantum volume, gate fidelity, error mitigation methods, and system coherence, must be clearly defined and validated during Phase 1.
Projects must also present detailed financial assessments, identifying revenue models, commercialization pathways, and criteria for attracting private investment. Advisory support from the European Investment Bank (EIB) will be provided to guide technical and financial planning. At the end of Phase 1, a financial pre-screening will evaluate commercial and financial standing, corporate structure, governance, and preliminary compliance measures.
Successful projects may be invited to enter Phase 2, which focuses on scaling prototypes into market-ready platforms through InvestEU financing with a dedicated Horizon Europe top-up. Phase 2 emphasizes real-world demonstrations, integration with industrial and societal infrastructures, and collaboration with industrial end-users to validate system performance. Financing will typically be provided in two tranches of about EUR 15 million each, tailored to the project’s risk profile and needs.
Phase 1 proposals must be submitted via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, with selected projects receiving grants of up to EUR 0.3 million for approximately four months. Phase 2 financing applications will be submitted separately to the EIB after successful Phase 1 evaluation. Throughout both phases, startups are expected to advance the technical maturity, commercial potential, and real-world impact of their quantum computing platforms while safeguarding EU strategic interests.
For more information, visit EC.
