Instrument navigator for policy makers

Decision support, not legal advice. This navigator orders options from your answers with a fixed, published rule set; it does not decide. The legal basis, the work programme, the call conditions and the Financial Regulation prevail. Check with the responsible Directorate-General, the implementing body and your legal service before choosing an instrument.

Something to do and not sure which EU instrument fits? Answer a few questions (each has "Not sure") and the navigator ranks the instruments that could do it: Horizon Europe actions and partnerships, Digital Europe, the Connecting Europe Facility, the EuroHPC and Chips Joint Undertakings, procurement procedures, pre-commercial procurement and public procurement of innovation, EIC and EIB Group finance, State aid and IPCEI, Member State-managed funds and networks. Each result says why it fits, why not, who runs it and what to read next.

Download the knowledge base (CSV) · Download the knowledge base (JSON) · Funding instruments · Who can participate? · Programme pipeline · EU legislation tracker

Questionnaire

Answer what you know; "Not sure" never counts against an instrument. Questions that do not matter for your goal are set aside.

1. What do you want to do?

The main purpose of the action. Pick the closest; the other questions refine it.

Research: new knowledge, early-stage science Innovation: develop, test or demonstrate a technology Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) Buy a product or service for public use Skills and talent: train or attract people Scale up companies: finance and growth Coordinate, network, align programmes or standards Build industrial or manufacturing capacity Not sure

2. How should the EU act?

Funding others (grants), buying for itself or for public authorities (procurement), investing or lending, or pooling Member States and national programmes.

Fund others' projects (grants) Buy as a public customer (procurement) Invest, lend or guarantee Pool or align Member States and national programmes Not sure

3. How mature is the technology?

Technology readiness levels (TRL) as in the Horizon Europe General Annexes: 1-3 basic principles to proof of concept, 4-6 validation and demonstration in a relevant environment, 7-8 prototype in an operational environment to a qualified system, 9 proven in operation.

TRL 1-3: ideas, principles, proof of concept TRL 4-6: lab or relevant-environment validation TRL 7-8: prototypes and pilots in real conditions TRL 9: proven products or services Not sure

4. Who should do the work or receive the support?

The organisations that carry out the action or are supported.

Universities, research organisations or individual researchers Companies, including large industry Start-ups and SMEs Mixed consortia of industry and academia Public authorities as buyers or operators Member States or national funders Not sure

5. How many countries take part?

Where the action takes place and who must join.

6. Will national or regional money co-fund it?

Some instruments need Member State or national co-funding; others are funded by the EU budget alone.

Yes, national or regional co-funding is part of the plan No, EU money alone (with the participants' own share) Not sure

7. What is the order of magnitude of the money involved?

Total public money for the action, EU and national together.

8. When must it start?

Instruments that need a new work programme, a Member State agreement or a Commission decision take longer than a call already planned.

Within a year In one to two years More than two years: a multi-annual plan Not sure

9. Must the results belong to the public buyer?

In grants the beneficiaries own the results; in procurement the buyer usually owns or uses them; in pre-commercial procurement the suppliers keep the intellectual property and the buyer gets use rights.

Yes, the public side must own the result or the asset Use or licence rights for the public side are enough No, the performers may own the results Not sure

10. Is the subject security-sensitive?

Security-sensitive: participation may be limited to EU-controlled entities (as Horizon Europe Article 22(5) and Digital Europe Article 12 allow). Defence: military use or classified information.

No, open civil subject Yes, security-sensitive but civil Defence or classified Not sure

Start again

Security or defence goals: the defence instruments are shown in the restricted view for Commission and Member State users.

Instruments that fit your answers

Your answers

Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities)
How the EU acts: Pool or align Member States and national programmes

8 instruments fit, best first.

Show the data

Fit with your answers
Item	Value (%)
EDIC (Digital Infrastructure Consortium)	100%
EuroQCI national projects (DEP)	100%
CEF Digital (EuroQCI links)	100%
EuroHPC JU quantum computer procurement	100%
Institutionalised partnership (JU)	79%
Teaming for Excellence	79%
Chips JU pilot lines	79%
IPCEI	79%

1. European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (EDIC)

Strong fit: 100% · Digital Europe Programme · Partnership or body that runs other instruments

Why this

Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is a primary purpose.
How the EU acts: Pool or align Member States and national programmes fits.

What it is for

Member States may implement a multi-country project through an EDIC, a body with its own legal personality from the entry into force of the Commission decision setting it up. (Decision (EU) 2022/2481 establishing the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030, Article 13(1), (3))
EDICs are one of several mechanisms for multi-country projects, next to joint undertakings, ERICs, Union agencies, IPCEIs and implementation by Member States alone. (Decision (EU) 2022/2481 establishing the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030, Article 11(5))

Who owns the results

An EDIC can acquire, own and dispose of property, including intellectual property; its statutes must set rules on ownership of infrastructure, IP, profits and other assets. (Decision (EU) 2022/2481 establishing the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030, Articles 13(4), 17(1)(h))

Legal basis

Decision (EU) 2022/2481 (Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030), Articles 13-21 on EDICs. (Decision (EU) 2022/2481 establishing the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030, Articles 13-21)

Who to contact

European Commission, DG CNECT

Next steps

At least three Member States apply to the Commission; the EDIC is set up by a Commission implementing decision after the Digital Decade committee.
Draft the statutes, the multi-country project and the contributions.

Verification

Partly verified. Decision 2022/2481 was read in full via the Publications Office. No quantum-related EDIC proposal or decision was found on an official page I could read, and the Quantum Europe Strategy (COM(2025) 363) does not mention EDICs. The Commission EDIC page was blocked (403), so the current list of EDICs was not checked.

All facts and sources for EDIC (Digital Infrastructure Consortium)

2. DEP EuroQCI calls (national QCI deployment, industrial QKD, coordination) and the 2025 IRIS2-funded EuroQCI call

Strong fit: 100% · Digital Europe Programme · Grant (the beneficiaries carry out and own the work)

Why this

Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is a primary purpose.
How the EU acts: Pool or align Member States and national programmes fits.

What it is for

EuroQCI is a secure quantum communication infrastructure spanning the EU, with a terrestrial fibre segment and a space segment; first services rely on QKD. (Digital Europe Work Programme 2021-2022 (annex to Commission Implementing Decision C(2021) 7914), Section 3.1 (pp. 99-100 of document))
The national deployment topic funded advanced national quantum systems and networks to test QKD technologies, integrate them with existing networks and develop use cases. (Call document DIGITAL-2021-QCI-01 EU secure Quantum Communication Infrastructure (V1.0, 17.11.2021), DIGITAL-2021-QCI-01-DEPLOY-NATIONAL Objectives (p. 9))
The 2025 call funds certified terrestrial QKD components and systems, EuroQCI coordination and standardisation, building on earlier DEP and CEF Digital projects. (Call document DIGITAL-IRIS2-2025-QCI European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (V1.0, 16.06.2025), Sections 1-2 (pp. 6-11))

Funding rate or co-funding

2021: national deployment Simple Grants 50%; industrial topic SME Support Actions 50% (75% for SMEs); coordination CSA 100%. (Call document DIGITAL-2021-QCI-01 EU secure Quantum Communication Infrastructure (V1.0, 17.11.2021), Section 2 Type of action (pp. 8, 10, 11))
2025 IRIS2 call: SME Support Actions 50% (75% for SMEs) for QKD industrialisation; CSAs 95%. (Call document DIGITAL-IRIS2-2025-QCI European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (V1.0, 16.06.2025), Section 2 (pp. 8, 10, 11))

Typical size

DIGITAL-2021-QCI-01 had EUR 154 000 000: EUR 44 M industrial, EUR 108 M national deployment (EUR 5 M per project) and EUR 2 M coordination. (Call document DIGITAL-2021-QCI-01 EU secure Quantum Communication Infrastructure (V1.0, 17.11.2021), Section 3 (p. 12); Section 10 (p. 21))
DIGITAL-2022-QCI-02-DEPLOY-NATIONAL had a budget of EUR 20 000 000 for Simple Grants. (Topic DIGITAL-2022-QCI-02-DEPLOY-NATIONAL Deploying advanced national QCI systems and networks, Budget overview)
DIGITAL-IRIS2-2025-QCI had EUR 36 000 000: EUR 30 M for QKD industrialisation (EUR 5-10 M per project) and EUR 3 M for each of two CSAs. (Call document DIGITAL-IRIS2-2025-QCI European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (V1.0, 16.06.2025), Section 3 (pp. 12-13); Section 10 (p. 23))

Maturity (TRL)

The 2021 industrial topic aimed at QKD components reaching TRL 8-9. (Call document DIGITAL-2021-QCI-01 EU secure Quantum Communication Infrastructure (V1.0, 17.11.2021), INDUSTRIAL Scope (p. 7))

Who owns the results

Beneficiaries own results, but under the security restrictions there are first exploitation obligations in eligible countries and limitations to transfers and licensing. (Call document DIGITAL-2021-QCI-01 EU secure Quantum Communication Infrastructure (V1.0, 17.11.2021), Section 10, IPR rules (p. 25))
The same IPR restrictions (exploitation and first exploitation in eligible countries, limits to transfers and licensing) apply in the 2025 call. (Call document DIGITAL-IRIS2-2025-QCI European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (V1.0, 16.06.2025), Section 10 (p. 26))

Time to grant or contract

2021 call: deadline 22 February 2022, grant signature planned September 2022 (indicative). (Call document DIGITAL-2021-QCI-01 EU secure Quantum Communication Infrastructure (V1.0, 17.11.2021), Section 4 (p. 12))
The EuroQCI-SPAIN national grant was signed on 21 December 2022. (EuroQCI-SPAIN - EuroQCI deployment in Spain, Project record)
2025 call: opening 15 July 2025, deadline 16 October 2025, results December 2025, grant signature Q1 2026 (indicative). (Call document DIGITAL-IRIS2-2025-QCI European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (V1.0, 16.06.2025), Section 4 (p. 13))
PETRUS2 (2025 call) was signed on 7 July 2026. (PETRUS2 - Coordinate deployment for the EuroQCI (CSA), Project record)

Legal basis

2021/2022 calls: Digital Europe Regulation 2021/694 with security restrictions under Article 12(5). (Call document DIGITAL-2021-QCI-01 EU secure Quantum Communication Infrastructure (V1.0, 17.11.2021), Section 0 (p. 5); topic conditions)
2025 call: Union Secure Connectivity Regulation (EU) 2023/588 and its 2023-2027 work programme (C(2025) 1776 of 28 March 2025). (Call document DIGITAL-IRIS2-2025-QCI European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (V1.0, 16.06.2025), Section 0 and footnotes 1-2 (p. 5))

Who to contact

DG CNECT, unit C4 (contact CNECT-QCI mailbox given in the call document)

Next steps

National EuroQCI projects are proposed by Member State consortia under the Digital Europe calls; check the current EuroQCI call.
Coordinate with DG CNECT and the national authority responsible for EuroQCI.

Verification

Partly verified. Both call documents, the 2021-2022 WP section, topic data and F&T project records were read. The Commission EuroQCI policy page was blocked (403). Note that DIGITAL-IRIS2-2025-QCI uses DEP-style call codes and portal entries but is funded by IRIS2 (Regulation 2023/588), not DEP.

All facts and sources for EuroQCI national projects (DEP)

3. Connecting Europe Facility Digital - EuroQCI cross-border and space-segment works

Strong fit: 100% · Connecting Europe Facility (Digital) · Grant (the beneficiaries carry out and own the work)

Why this

Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is a primary purpose.
How the EU acts: Pool or align Member States and national programmes fits.

What it is for

CEF Digital contributes to projects of common interest for safe and secure very high capacity networks and more resilient digital backbone networks. (Regulation (EU) 2021/1153 establishing the Connecting Europe Facility, Article 3(2)(c))
The EuroQCI works topic co-funds terrestrial backbone components for cross-border links between national quantum networks and/or links to the EuroQCI space segment via optical ground stations, complementary to DEP. (Call document CEF-DIG-2024-EUROQCI European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (V2.0, 14.01.2025), Section 2, Objectives (pp. 6-7))

Funding rate or co-funding

CEF digital works are co-financed at up to 30%, up to 50% for actions with a strong cross-border dimension, up to 75% for Gigabit connectivity of socioeconomic drivers; studies up to 50%; works in outermost regions 70%. (Regulation (EU) 2021/1153 establishing the Connecting Europe Facility, Article 15(1), (4), (6))
For the EuroQCI call: maximum 50% for studies, 70% for works in outermost regions, 30% for other costs, and 50% for a strong cross-border dimension including the space segment. (Call document CEF-DIG-2024-EUROQCI European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (V2.0, 14.01.2025), Section 10, Form of grant (p. 19))

Typical size

The EuroQCI call budget was EUR 90 000 000, with an expected grant of around EUR 5 000 000 per project (may be exceeded if justified). (Call document CEF-DIG-2024-EUROQCI European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (V2.0, 14.01.2025), Section 3 (p. 11); Section 6, Project budget (p. 14))
HaDEA reports 19 EuroQCI works projects covering 25 Member States, with EUR 193 million total investment and EUR 96 million in EU grants. (CEF Digital: Quantum communication infrastructure (EuroQCI), Key figures)

Who owns the results

Proposals should define the post-project ownership of the infrastructure and how services will be provided. (Call document CEF-DIG-2024-EUROQCI European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (V2.0, 14.01.2025), Section 2, Scope (p. 7))
Security declarations must confirm that results of the CEF-funded action remain within the beneficiary during the action. (Call document CEF-DIG-2024-EUROQCI European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (V2.0, 14.01.2025), Section 2, Digital security requirements (p. 9))
The granting authority does not obtain ownership of results under the CEF grant agreement. (CEF Model Grant Agreement (Multi & Mono, V1.0 01.11.2024), Article 16.2 (p. 40))

Time to grant or contract

Call opened 22 October 2024, deadline 27 March 2025, results summer 2025, grant signature autumn 2025 (indicative). (Call document CEF-DIG-2024-EUROQCI European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (V2.0, 14.01.2025), Section 4 (p. 11))
BENELUX-QCI's grant was signed on 19 December 2025 with a start on 1 January 2026. (24-EU-DIG-BENELUX-QCI - BENELUX-QCI, Project record)
After each call the Commission adopts an implementing act setting the support for selected projects. (Regulation (EU) 2021/1153 establishing the Connecting Europe Facility, Article 21(1))

Legal basis

Regulation (EU) 2021/1153; the call supports interconnection of national QCI networks under Article 9(4)(d) (backbone networks). (Call document CEF-DIG-2024-EUROQCI European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (V2.0, 14.01.2025), Section 1 (p. 6))
Article 9(4)(d) covers new or significantly upgraded backbone networks within and between Member States and between the Union and third countries. (Regulation (EU) 2021/1153 establishing the Connecting Europe Facility, Article 9(4)(d))

Who to contact

HaDEA, unit B1 CEF Digital (HADEA-CEF-DIGITAL-CALLS mailbox)

Next steps

CEF Digital funds the terrestrial and cross-border links of EuroQCI; check the current CEF Digital call and its conditions.
Member States concerned must agree to the cross-border project.

Verification

Partly verified. CEF Regulation (via the Publications Office), the call document, the CEF MGA, HaDEA pages and F&T project records were read. The CEF Digital 2024-2027 work programme and Commission EuroQCI pages on digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu were not opened (403), and no official page linking EuroQCI to Global Gateway was found.

All facts and sources for CEF Digital (EuroQCI links)

4. EuroHPC JU acquisition of quantum computers with hosting entities (call for expression of interest, hosting agreement, JU procurement)

Strong fit: 100% · Joint Undertakings (EuroHPC, Chips) · Procurement (a public buyer contracts and pays for a result)

Why this

Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is a primary purpose.
How the EU acts: Pool or align Member States and national programmes fits.

What it is for

The EuroHPC JU acquires and owns quantum computers and quantum simulators, ranging from pilots and experimental systems to operational systems, stand-alone or hybridised with HPC machines and accessible via the cloud. (Council Regulation (EU) 2021/1173 of 13 July 2021 on establishing the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (including its Statutes in the Annex), Article 12(1))
The Digital Europe Programme part of the Union contribution to the JU was originally earmarked for capability building, including acquiring, upgrading and operating HPC, quantum computers and quantum simulators (this paragraph was later deleted by the 2026 amendment). (Council Regulation (EU) 2021/1173 of 13 July 2021 on establishing the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (including its Statutes in the Annex), Article 5(7); deleted by Regulation (EU) 2026/150 Article 1(4)(d))
The first EuroHPC quantum computers are integrated into existing supercomputers and are meant primarily for research and development by European scientific, industrial and public-sector users. (Selection of six sites to host the first European quantum computers (4 October 2022), Press release of 4 October 2022)

Funding rate or co-funding

The Union contribution covers up to 50 % of acquisition costs plus up to 50 % of operating costs of quantum computers and simulators; the hosting Participating State(s) cover the remaining total cost of ownership. (Council Regulation (EU) 2021/1173 of 13 July 2021 on establishing the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (including its Statutes in the Annex), Article 12(2))
EuroQCS-Poland was financed 50 % by the EuroHPC JU and 50 % by the Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs. (Advancing European Quantum Computing: Signature of the Procurement Contract for EuroQCS-Poland (10 July 2024), Press release of 10 July 2024)
The Dutch system EuroSSQ-HPC is funded 50 % by the JU through the Digital Europe Programme and 50 % by the EuroSSQ-HPC consortium of partners from Belgium, France and the Netherlands. (EuroHPC JU Launches Procurement For a Quantum Computer in the Netherlands (15 September 2025), Press release of 15 September 2025)
MeluXina-Q is co-financed equally (50 %) by the JU with Digital Europe Programme funds and by the Luxembourg Government. (EuroHPC JU Launches Procurement for a Quantum Computer in Luxembourg (23 July 2026), Press release of 23 July 2026)

Typical size

For the first six systems selected in 2022 the planned total investment was more than EUR 100 million. (Selection of six sites to host the first European quantum computers (4 October 2022), Press release of 4 October 2022)
The 2023 hosting call foresaw at least two quantum computers procured in 2024 with a total EU contribution of EUR 20 million. (Call to host new quantum computers (19 December 2023), Call page of 19 December 2023)
EuroQCS-Poland had a total acquisition cost of EUR 12.28 million. (Advancing European Quantum Computing: Signature of the Procurement Contract for EuroQCS-Poland (10 July 2024), Press release of 10 July 2024)
EuroSSQ-HPC (Netherlands) total acquisition budget: up to EUR 9.95 million. (EuroHPC JU Launches Procurement For a Quantum Computer in the Netherlands (15 September 2025), Press release of 15 September 2025)
MeluXina-Q total acquisition budget: up to EUR 11.95 million. (EuroHPC JU Launches Procurement for a Quantum Computer in Luxembourg (23 July 2026), Press release of 23 July 2026)

Who owns the results

The JU owns the quantum computers it acquires; ownership may be transferred to the hosting entity, sold or decommissioned by Governing Board decision at the earliest four years after successful acceptance, with the hosting entity reimbursing the residual value on transfer and decommissioning costs shared equally. (Council Regulation (EU) 2021/1173 of 13 July 2021 on establishing the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (including its Statutes in the Annex), Article 12(1) and 12(7))
The Union's share of access time to each quantum EuroHPC system is proportional to its contribution to total cost of ownership and cannot exceed 50 %; the hosting Participating State(s) receive the remaining access time. (Council Regulation (EU) 2021/1173 of 13 July 2021 on establishing the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (including its Statutes in the Annex), Article 17(1) and 17(4))
EuroQCS-Poland is described as owned by the EuroHPC JU. (Advancing European Quantum Computing: Signature of the Procurement Contract for EuroQCS-Poland (10 July 2024), Press release of 10 July 2024)

Time to grant or contract

For EuroQCS-Poland the call for tender was launched in October 2023 and the JU announced the signed contract on 10 July 2024. (Advancing European Quantum Computing: Signature of the Procurement Contract for EuroQCS-Poland (10 July 2024), Press release of 10 July 2024)
Sites selected in October 2024 (Netherlands, Luxembourg) signed hosting agreements in December 2024; the Dutch tender was launched in September 2025 with a deadline of 24 October 2025. (EuroHPC JU Launches Procurement For a Quantum Computer in the Netherlands (15 September 2025), Press release of 15 September 2025)
The Luxembourg tender was launched on 23 July 2026 with a deadline of 1 September 2026; the hosting agreement had been signed in December 2024. (EuroHPC JU Launches Procurement for a Quantum Computer in Luxembourg (23 July 2026), Press release of 23 July 2026)

Legal basis

Council Regulation (EU) 2021/1173 (EuroHPC JU), Articles 9 (hosting entity), 10 (hosting agreement), 12 (acquisition and ownership of quantum computers and quantum simulators) and 17 (allocation of Union access time), as amended by Regulations (EU) 2024/1732 and 2026/150. (Council Regulation (EU) 2021/1173 of 13 July 2021 on establishing the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (including its Statutes in the Annex), Articles 9, 10, 12, 17)
Regulation (EU) 2026/150 raised the Union contribution to up to EUR 4 122 300 000 (Horizon Europe up to EUR 1 660 000 000, Digital Europe up to EUR 2 142 300 000, CEF up to EUR 320 000 000), conditional on at least matching Participating State contributions. (Council Regulation (EU) 2026/150 of 16 January 2026 amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1173 on establishing the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking, Article 1(4)(a), replacing Article 5(1))

Who to contact

EuroHPC Joint Undertaking (Luxembourg)

Next steps

A hosting entity (with its Member State) answers a EuroHPC JU call for expression of interest; the JU then procures the machine.
Agree the national co-funding and the hosting agreement early.

Verification

Verified. The EuroHPC Regulation and its 2026 amendment were read in full via the Publications Office (EUR-Lex returned an empty bot-challenge response), along with seven EuroHPC JU press and call pages. The JU financial rules and the individual hosting agreements and tender documents were not read. The 2022 selection release names only LUMI-Q among the system names, so the other names come from the 2023 hosting-agreements release.

All facts and sources for EuroHPC JU quantum computer procurement

5. Institutionalised European Partnerships (Article 185/187 TFEU, e.g. Joint Undertakings such as EuroHPC JU and Chips JU)

Strong fit: 79% · European partnerships and Missions · Partnership or body that runs other instruments

Why this

Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is a common use.
How the EU acts: Pool or align Member States and national programmes fits.

What it is for

Institutionalised partnerships involve EU participation in and financial contribution to R&I programmes run by several Member States (Article 185 TFEU), by bodies under Article 187 TFEU such as Joint Undertakings, or by EIT KICs. (Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishing Horizon Europe, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, Article 10(1)(c))
Since Council Regulation (EU) 2026/150, the EuroHPC JU mission includes a federated supercomputing and quantum computing infrastructure ecosystem and a quantum technologies pillar covering computing and simulation, communication, and sensing and metrology. (Council Regulation (EU) 2026/150 of 16 January 2026 amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1173 on establishing the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking, Article 1, points (2)-(3) (amending Articles 3(1) and 4(1)(j) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1173))

Funding rate or co-funding

By derogation from Article 34 of Regulation 2021/695, the EuroHPC JU may set different reimbursement rates by participant type and action type; quantum-pillar work programmes must include a part for R&I up to TRL 5 funded at 100%. (Council Regulation (EU) 2026/150 of 16 January 2026 amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1173 on establishing the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking, Article 1, point (7) (replacing Article 34(1)-(2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1173); recital (11))
Example: the EuroHPC JU Quantum Machine Learning RIA funds up to 50% of eligible costs, an exception to General Annex G. (Topic HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-QML-07-01: Quantum Machine Learning, Topic conditions, exceptions)

Typical size

The Union contribution to EuroHPC JU is up to EUR 4 122 300 000, including up to EUR 1 660 000 000 from Horizon Europe, of which EUR 160 000 000 is for quantum R&I. (Council Regulation (EU) 2026/150 of 16 January 2026 amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1173 on establishing the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking, Article 1, point (4) (replacing Article 5(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1173))

Maturity (TRL)

EuroHPC quantum-pillar work programmes must include indirect R&I actions up to TRL 5 funded at 100% of eligible costs. (Council Regulation (EU) 2026/150 of 16 January 2026 amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1173 on establishing the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking, Recital (11); Article 34(2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1173 as replaced)

Who owns the results

Institutionalised partnerships must give the Commission access to results and action information for developing, implementing and monitoring Union policies. (Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishing Horizon Europe, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, Annex III, point 2(e))

Legal basis

Regulation (EU) 2021/695 Article 10(1)(c) and Annex III; for EuroHPC, Council Regulation (EU) 2021/1173 as amended by Council Regulation (EU) 2026/150 (Article 187 TFEU). (Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishing Horizon Europe, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, Article 10(1)(c); Annex III)

Who to contact

EuroHPC Joint Undertaking (quantum, HPC); Chips Joint Undertaking (semiconductors)

Next steps

A new Joint Undertaking or a change of mandate needs a Commission proposal and a Council regulation (Article 187 TFEU).
For quantum, check first what the EuroHPC and Chips Joint Undertakings already cover.

Verification

Partly verified. Article 10 and Annex III were read in full; Regulation 2026/150 was read in full text but only the quantum-relevant parts are cited. The Chips JU page was read only partly (its counters did not render), and the full Chips JU Regulation 2021/2085 was not read.

All facts and sources for Institutionalised partnership (JU)

6. Teaming for Excellence (and the 2026 Teaming Synergies action)

Strong fit: 79% · Horizon Europe: researchers, excellence and widening · Grant (the beneficiaries carry out and own the work)

Why this

Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is a common use.
How the EU acts: Pool or align Member States and national programmes fits.

What it is for

Teaming creates new centres of excellence, or modernises existing ones, in low R&I performing countries through partnerships with leading European institutions. (Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2025, Part 11: Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (C(2024) 2371 of 17 April 2024), HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-ACCESS-01-01-two-stage, Expected Outcome and Scope, pp. 56-57)
In the 2026-2027 work programme, the Teaming line is a 'Teaming Synergies' CSA that clusters and sustains existing Teaming Centres of Excellence; no new Teaming for Excellence call is listed. (Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, Part 11: Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area, Table of contents p. 2; HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-01-WIDENING-01, pp. 24-26)

Funding rate or co-funding

Teaming is a Coordination and Support Action, and Horizon Europe allows up to 100% of eligible costs for such actions. (Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishing Horizon Europe, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, Article 34(2))
The Teaming 2025 topic is a CSA with a two-stage procedure. (Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2025, Part 11: Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (C(2024) 2371 of 17 April 2024), HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-ACCESS-01-01-two-stage, Type of Action, p. 54)

Typical size

Teaming 2025: EUR 8.00-15.00 million per project with EUR 270.00 million in total. (Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2025, Part 11: Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (C(2024) 2371 of 17 April 2024), HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-ACCESS-01-01-two-stage, p. 54)
Teaming Synergies 2026: one action of about EUR 7.00 million over 5 years. (Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, Part 11: Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area, HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-01-WIDENING-01, pp. 24 and 26)

Who owns the results

Beneficiaries own the results they generate. (Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishing Horizon Europe, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, Article 38(1))

Time to grant or contract

Horizon Europe maxima: 5 months to inform applicants and 8 months to sign grant agreements. (Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishing Horizon Europe, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, Article 31(1))

Legal basis

Teaming is an area of intervention under 'widening participation and spreading excellence', funded from the EUR 2 842 000 000 envelope. (Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishing Horizon Europe, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, Annex I Part 'Widening Participation and Strengthening the ERA'; Article 12(2)(d))

Who to contact

European Research Executive Agency (REA), Widening participation and spreading excellence

Next steps

Pair an institution in a widening country with a leading advanced partner to create or upgrade a centre of excellence.
The national or regional authority commits complementary funding.

Verification

Partly verified. I read the Teaming 2025 topic in the Widening Work Programme 2023-2025 and the Teaming Synergies 2026 topic in the 2026-2027 work programme. The 2026-2027 table of contents lists no new Teaming for Excellence call. REA's role is inferred from its general Widening listing.

All facts and sources for Teaming for Excellence

7. Chips JU pilot lines, including quantum chip pilot lines (Chips for Europe Initiative)

Strong fit: 79% · Joint Undertakings (EuroHPC, Chips) · Grant (the beneficiaries carry out and own the work)

Why this

Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is a common use.
How the EU acts: Pool or align Member States and national programmes fits.

What it is for

Operational objective 2 of the Chips for Europe Initiative enhances existing and builds new advanced pilot lines; operational objective 3 builds technology and engineering capacities for cutting-edge quantum chips. (Regulation (EU) 2023/1781 establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe's semiconductor ecosystem (Chips Act), Article 4(2)(b)-(c))
Under objective 3 the Initiative supports new or existing pilot lines, clean rooms and foundries for prototyping and producing quantum chips, as well as facilities for testing and validating them. (Regulation (EU) 2023/1781 establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe's semiconductor ecosystem (Chips Act), Article 5(c)(ii)-(iii); Annex I Part III(b)-(c))
Semiconductor pilot lines bridge lab to fab for production, testing and validation, and give access on fair terms to a wide range of users. (Regulation (EU) 2023/1781 establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe's semiconductor ecosystem (Chips Act), Article 5(b)(ii)-(iii); Annex I Part II)

Funding rate or co-funding

The Chips JU may set different funding rates by participant type (e.g. SMEs, non-profits) and action type in the work programme; R&I actions up to TRL 4 are funded at 100 % of eligible costs. (Council Regulation (EU) 2023/1782 amending Regulation (EU) 2021/2085 as regards the Chips Joint Undertaking, Article 1(17), replacing Article 141(1)-(2))
EU budgets for the Chips for Europe calls are matched by commensurate national contributions, unless a topic is marked as 100 % EU funded. (Chips JU Multiannual Work Programme 2023-2027, Version 20.0 (main document; appendices are separate), Section 2.1, note under the budget table)

Typical size

The 2023 calls for expression of interest for pilot lines (DIGITAL-Chips-2023-CfEoI-CPL-1 to 4) had EUR 800 million of DEP budget in total, and the related Horizon Europe RIAs (HORIZON-Chips-2023-RIA-CPL-1 to 4) EUR 830 million. (Chips JU Multiannual Work Programme 2023-2027, Version 20.0 (main document; appendices are separate), Section 2.1, budget table)
The 2025 Horizon Europe quantum lines were five topics HORIZON-JU-Chips-2025-QAC1-1-SGA to QAC1-5-SGA and one HORIZON-JU-Chips-2025-QAC2-SGA, each with EUR 25 million indicative. (Chips JU Multiannual Work Programme 2023-2027, Version 20.0 (main document; appendices are separate), Section 2.1, budget table (HE Chips calls for 2025))
Six quantum pilot proposals were retained in December 2025, with over EUR 314 million of EU and national investment. (The Chips JU advances quantum and semiconductor innovation with an investment over EUR 659M (11/12 December 2025), Press release of 11/12 December 2025, Quantum section)

Maturity (TRL)

The quantum chip FPAs should reach TRL 8 overall and TRL 6 under the first Specific Grant Agreement. (Funding & Tenders portal topic HORIZON-JU-Chips-FPA-QAC-1 Quantum Chip Technology for stability Pilots, Topic description)

Who owns the results

Each quantum pilot FPA must describe mechanisms ensuring that all IP generated stays in the EU and is not transferred to third countries. (Funding & Tenders portal topic HORIZON-JU-Chips-FPA-QAC-1 Quantum Chip Technology for stability Pilots, Topic description)
Work programmes must set access conditions for publicly funded infrastructure such as pilot lines: transparent, non-discriminatory access on market or cost-plus terms for large undertakings, with preferential access or reduced prices for SMEs and academia. (Council Regulation (EU) 2023/1782 amending Regulation (EU) 2021/2085 as regards the Chips Joint Undertaking, Recital 6)

Time to grant or contract

The quantum FPA calls (QAC-1 and QAC-2) opened on 24 September 2024 and closed on 21 January 2025. (Funding & Tenders portal topic HORIZON-JU-Chips-FPA-QAC-1 Quantum Chip Technology for stability Pilots, Topic actions, opening and deadline dates)
The Public Authorities Board retained the quantum proposals in December 2025, and the selected consortia then prepare grant agreements. (The Chips JU advances quantum and semiconductor innovation with an investment over EUR 659M (11/12 December 2025), Press release, Next steps)
The Q-PLANET FPA runs from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2031. (Project detail: Q-PLANET, Project detail page)

Legal basis

Regulation (EU) 2023/1781 (Chips Act), Articles 3-5 and 12 and Annex I Parts II-III; Council Regulation (EU) 2021/2085 as amended by Regulation (EU) 2023/1782 (Chips JU). (Regulation (EU) 2023/1781 establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe's semiconductor ecosystem (Chips Act), Articles 3, 4, 5, 12; Annex I)
The Initiative is funded from Horizon Europe and the Digital Europe Programme for up to an indicative EUR 1,725 billion and EUR 1,575 billion; capacity building is paid by DEP and the related R&I by Horizon Europe. (Regulation (EU) 2023/1781 establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe's semiconductor ecosystem (Chips Act), Article 3(2); Article 4(3))
The Union contribution to the Chips JU is up to EUR 4 175 000 000 (Horizon Europe up to EUR 2 725 000 000, DEP up to EUR 1 450 000 000). (Council Regulation (EU) 2023/1782 amending Regulation (EU) 2021/2085 as regards the Chips Joint Undertaking, Article 1, replacing Article 128(1))

Who to contact

Chips Joint Undertaking (Brussels)

Next steps

Pilot lines are selected through Chips JU calls with the participating states co-funding; check the Chips JU work programme.

Verification

Partly verified. The Chips Act articles and annex, the Chips JU amending regulation, the main multiannual work programme, two quantum FPA topic records, a Chips JU press release and one project page were read. The work-programme appendices with the call-level funding rates and the names of all six quantum pilots were not available. The digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu pages (including the EUR 65 million quantum chips news) returned HTTP 403, so the six-pilot description relies on the Chips JU press release.

All facts and sources for Chips JU pilot lines

8. Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) - Communication 2021/C 528/02

Strong fit: 79% · State aid and IPCEI · State aid rules (national money under EU rules)

Why this

Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is a common use.
How the EU acts: Pool or align Member States and national programmes fits.

What it is for

IPCEI lets the Commission find State aid compatible with the internal market for integrated, large-scale cross-border projects from at least four Member States with high technological or financial risk that benefit the EU, for example by creating European ecosystems. (Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI), Introduction)
R&D&I projects must be of a major innovative nature, and first industrial deployment projects must develop a new product or service with high research and innovation content or a fundamentally innovative production process; mass production and commercial activities are excluded. (Communication from the Commission - Criteria for the analysis of the compatibility with the internal market of State aid to promote the execution of IPCEIs (2021/C 528/02), Points 22-24)

Funding rate or co-funding

The maximum aid is set by the funding gap in relation to the eligible costs and, if justified by the funding-gap analysis, may cover all eligible costs. (Communication from the Commission - Criteria for the analysis of the compatibility with the internal market of State aid to promote the execution of IPCEIs (2021/C 528/02), Point 33)
The project must involve important co-financing by the beneficiary. (Communication from the Commission - Criteria for the analysis of the compatibility with the internal market of State aid to promote the execution of IPCEIs (2021/C 528/02), Point 19)

Typical size

State aid approved plus expected private investment in the ten R&D&I-type integrated IPCEIs add up to over EUR 92.2 billion. (Approved integrated IPCEIs, Introductory paragraphs)

Legal basis

Article 107(3)(b) TFEU; the Commission applies the 2021 IPCEI Communication (OJ C 528, 30.12.2021) from 1 January 2022. (Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI), 'Legal bases')
The Communication applies to all notified aid decided on or after 1 January 2022. (Communication from the Commission - Criteria for the analysis of the compatibility with the internal market of State aid to promote the execution of IPCEIs (2021/C 528/02), Points 53-54)

Who to contact

European Commission, DG COMP (IPCEI) and national IPCEI authorities via JEF-IPCEI

Next steps

Member States design the project together and notify it; the Commission (DG COMP) assesses it under the IPCEI Communication.
Start with a call for expression of interest in each Member State and the Joint European Forum for IPCEI.

Verification

Verified. Read the full 2021 IPCEI Communication via the Publications Office and the DG COMP IPCEI, approved IPCEIs, Design Support Hub and JEF-IPCEI pages. The quantum status (identification phase only, 10 Member States, Q2 2026) comes from the JEF-IPCEI page.

All facts and sources for IPCEI

Compare the top results side by side

Why not the others: 40 instruments ruled out

Digital Europe Programme simple grants and lump-sum grants: How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Fund others' projects (grants).
Cohesion policy funds (ERDF Regulation (EU) 2021/1058; CPR (EU) 2021/1060; STEP Regulation (EU) 2024/795): How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Fund others' projects (grants).
Digital Europe Programme SME Support Actions: How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Fund others' projects (grants).
Digital Europe Programme procurement: How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Buy as a public customer (procurement).
Competitive dialogue (FR Annex I point 10; Directive 2014/24/EU Article 30): How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Buy as a public customer (procurement).
Public procurement of innovative solutions (PPI): How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Buy as a public customer (procurement).
InvestEU (Regulation (EU) 2021/523): How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Invest, lend or guarantee.
Recovery and Resilience Facility (Regulation (EU) 2021/241): How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Fund others' projects (grants).
Horizon Europe Programme Co-fund Action (and co-funded European partnerships): Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Coordinate, network, align programmes or standards; Research: new knowledge, early-stage science.
Co-programmed European Partnerships: Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Coordinate, network, align programmes or standards; Research: new knowledge, early-stage science; Innovation: develop, test or demonstrate a technology.
Chips JU competence centres (European network of chips competence centres) and design platform: Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Skills and talent: train or attract people; Coordinate, network, align programmes or standards; Build industrial or manufacturing capacity.
QuantERA (network of national research funders in quantum technologies; joint transnational calls): Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Research: new knowledge, early-stage science; Coordinate, network, align programmes or standards.
EUREKA network projects and Eurostars-3 (European Partnership on Innovative SMEs, Horizon Europe co-funded partnership): Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Innovation: develop, test or demonstrate a technology; Scale up companies: finance and growth.
Horizon Europe Innovation Action (IA): How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Fund others' projects (grants).
Horizon Europe Pre-commercial procurement (PCP) and Public procurement of innovative solutions (PPI) actions: How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Buy as a public customer (procurement); Fund others' projects (grants).
Open procedure (Financial Regulation 2024/2509; Directive 2014/24/EU Article 27): How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Buy as a public customer (procurement).
Restricted procedure (Financial Regulation 2024/2509; Directive 2014/24/EU Article 28): How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Buy as a public customer (procurement).
General Block Exemption Regulation (Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014) - R&D aid: How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Fund others' projects (grants).
Framework for State aid for research and development and innovation (2022/C 414/01): How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Fund others' projects (grants).
Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action (RIA): Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Research: new knowledge, early-stage science; Innovation: develop, test or demonstrate a technology. How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Fund others' projects (grants).
Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action (CSA): Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Coordinate, network, align programmes or standards. How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Fund others' projects (grants).
Horizon Europe inducement and recognition prizes: Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Innovation: develop, test or demonstrate a technology; Research: new knowledge, early-stage science. How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Fund others' projects (grants).
Horizon Europe Missions: Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Research: new knowledge, early-stage science; Innovation: develop, test or demonstrate a technology; Coordinate, network, align programmes or standards. How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Fund others' projects (grants).
European Research Council (ERC) grants: Starting, Consolidator, Advanced, Synergy, ERC Plus and Proof of Concept: Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Research: new knowledge, early-stage science; Skills and talent: train or attract people. How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Fund others' projects (grants).
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (Doctoral Networks, Postdoctoral Fellowships, Staff Exchanges, COFUND): Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Skills and talent: train or attract people; Research: new knowledge, early-stage science. How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Fund others' projects (grants).
ERA Chairs (Widening participation and spreading excellence): Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Skills and talent: train or attract people; Research: new knowledge, early-stage science. How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Fund others' projects (grants).
Twinning: Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Skills and talent: train or attract people; Research: new knowledge, early-stage science; Coordinate, network, align programmes or standards. How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Fund others' projects (grants).
EIC Pathfinder (Open and Challenges): Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Research: new knowledge, early-stage science; Innovation: develop, test or demonstrate a technology. How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Fund others' projects (grants).
EIC Transition: Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Innovation: develop, test or demonstrate a technology. How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Fund others' projects (grants).
EIC Accelerator (grant, blended finance, equity-only): Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Scale up companies: finance and growth; Innovation: develop, test or demonstrate a technology. How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Fund others' projects (grants); Invest, lend or guarantee.
EIC Fund (equity component, EIC STEP Scale Up, Scaleup Europe Fund compartment): Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Scale up companies: finance and growth. How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Invest, lend or guarantee.
EuroHPC JU quantum grant calls (Horizon Europe, quantum technologies pillar, HORIZON-JU-EUROHPC-2026-* topics): Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Research: new knowledge, early-stage science; Innovation: develop, test or demonstrate a technology. How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Fund others' projects (grants).
Competitive procedure with negotiation (FR Annex I point 12; Directive 2014/24/EU Articles 26(4) and 29): Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Buy a product or service for public use. How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Buy as a public customer (procurement).
Innovation partnership (FR Annex I point 7; Directive 2014/24/EU Article 31): Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Buy a product or service for public use; Innovation: develop, test or demonstrate a technology. How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Buy as a public customer (procurement).
Negotiated procedure without prior publication (FR Annex I point 11; Directive 2014/24/EU Article 32): Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Buy a product or service for public use. How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Buy as a public customer (procurement).
Framework contracts / framework agreements (FR Annex I point 1; Directive 2014/24/EU Article 33): Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Buy a product or service for public use. How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Buy as a public customer (procurement).
Pre-commercial procurement (PCP): Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Buy a product or service for public use; Innovation: develop, test or demonstrate a technology; Research: new knowledge, early-stage science. How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Buy as a public customer (procurement).
EIB financing (venture debt, European Growth Finance Facility, EIB quantum investments): Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Scale up companies: finance and growth; Build industrial or manufacturing capacity. How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Invest, lend or guarantee.
EIF equity (European Tech Champions Initiative, ESCALAR, InvestEU equity products): Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Scale up companies: finance and growth. How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Invest, lend or guarantee.
COST Actions (European Cooperation in Science and Technology): Goal: Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities) is not what it is for. It is mainly for: Coordinate, network, align programmes or standards; Skills and talent: train or attract people. How the EU acts: you answered Pool or align Member States and national programmes; it suits Fund others' projects (grants).

Compare instruments

Tick two to four instruments; the first four ticked are compared.

Horizon Europe: collaborative actions

Horizon Europe RIA Horizon Europe IA Horizon Europe CSA Horizon Europe prize

European Innovation Council

EIC Pathfinder EIC Transition EIC Accelerator EIC Fund (equity)

European partnerships and Missions

Programme co-fund (co-funded partnership) Co-programmed partnership Institutionalised partnership (JU) Horizon Europe Mission

Digital Europe Programme

Digital Europe grant Digital Europe SME support action Digital Europe procurement EDIC (Digital Infrastructure Consortium) EuroQCI national projects (DEP)

Connecting Europe Facility (Digital)

CEF Digital (EuroQCI links)

Joint Undertakings (EuroHPC, Chips)

EuroHPC JU quantum computer procurement EuroHPC JU quantum grants Chips JU pilot lines Chips competence centres

Procurement procedures (Financial Regulation)

Innovation procurement (PCP and PPI)

Horizon Europe PCP/PPI action Pre-commercial procurement (PCP) Public procurement of innovative solutions (PPI)

Finance: equity, loans and guarantees

InvestEU EIB venture debt EIF equity (funds of funds)

State aid and IPCEI

IPCEI GBER (block-exempted aid) State aid R&D&I framework

Funds managed by the Member States

Cohesion policy funds (ERDF) Recovery and Resilience Facility

Networks and national partnerships

QuantERA COST Action EUREKA and Eurostars

Decision tree

What you want to do, then how the EU acts, then the instruments the rules rank first from those two answers alone. The full questionnaire refines the order. Each branch opens the questionnaire with those two answers.

Research: new knowledge, early-stage science
- Fund others' projects (grants)
  - Horizon Europe RIA (100%)
  - ERC grant (100%)
  - EIC Pathfinder (100%)
- Buy as a public customer (procurement)
  - Institutionalised partnership (JU) (79%)
  - Pre-commercial procurement (PCP) (79%)
- Invest, lend or guarantee
  - No instrument fits this combination.
- Pool or align Member States and national programmes
  - QuantERA (100%)
  - Programme co-fund (co-funded partnership) (79%)
  - Co-programmed partnership (79%)
Innovation: develop, test or demonstrate a technology
- Fund others' projects (grants)
  - Horizon Europe IA (100%)
  - Horizon Europe prize (100%)
  - EIC Transition (100%)
- Buy as a public customer (procurement)
  - Pre-commercial procurement (PCP) (100%)
  - Horizon Europe PCP/PPI action (79%)
  - Institutionalised partnership (JU) (79%)
- Invest, lend or guarantee
  - EIC Accelerator (100%)
- Pool or align Member States and national programmes
  - EUREKA and Eurostars (100%)
  - Co-programmed partnership (79%)
  - Institutionalised partnership (JU) (79%)
Deploy infrastructure (computers, networks, testbeds, facilities)
- Fund others' projects (grants)
  - Digital Europe grant (100%)
  - EuroQCI national projects (DEP) (100%)
  - CEF Digital (EuroQCI links) (100%)
- Buy as a public customer (procurement)
  - EuroHPC JU quantum computer procurement (100%)
  - Institutionalised partnership (JU) (79%)
  - Digital Europe procurement (79%)
- Invest, lend or guarantee
  - InvestEU (79%)
- Pool or align Member States and national programmes
  - EDIC (Digital Infrastructure Consortium) (100%)
  - EuroQCI national projects (DEP) (100%)
  - CEF Digital (EuroQCI links) (100%)
Buy a product or service for public use
- Fund others' projects (grants)
  - Horizon Europe PCP/PPI action (79%)
- Buy as a public customer (procurement)
  - EuroHPC JU quantum computer procurement (100%)
  - Open procedure (100%)
  - Restricted procedure (100%)
- Invest, lend or guarantee
  - No instrument fits this combination.
- Pool or align Member States and national programmes
  - EuroHPC JU quantum computer procurement (100%)
Skills and talent: train or attract people
- Fund others' projects (grants)
  - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (100%)
  - ERA Chairs (100%)
  - ERC grant (79%)
- Buy as a public customer (procurement)
  - No instrument fits this combination.
- Invest, lend or guarantee
  - No instrument fits this combination.
- Pool or align Member States and national programmes
  - Teaming for Excellence (79%)
  - Chips competence centres (79%)
Scale up companies: finance and growth
- Fund others' projects (grants)
  - EIC Accelerator (100%)
  - Digital Europe SME support action (79%)
  - EUREKA and Eurostars (79%)
- Buy as a public customer (procurement)
  - No instrument fits this combination.
- Invest, lend or guarantee
  - EIC Accelerator (100%)
  - EIC Fund (equity) (100%)
  - InvestEU (100%)
- Pool or align Member States and national programmes
  - EUREKA and Eurostars (79%)
  - Chips competence centres (58%)
Coordinate, network, align programmes or standards
- Fund others' projects (grants)
  - Horizon Europe CSA (100%)
  - Programme co-fund (co-funded partnership) (100%)
  - Co-programmed partnership (100%)
- Buy as a public customer (procurement)
  - Institutionalised partnership (JU) (100%)
  - Digital Europe procurement (58%)
  - Framework contract (58%)
- Invest, lend or guarantee
  - No instrument fits this combination.
- Pool or align Member States and national programmes
  - Programme co-fund (co-funded partnership) (100%)
  - Co-programmed partnership (100%)
  - Institutionalised partnership (JU) (100%)
Build industrial or manufacturing capacity
- Fund others' projects (grants)
  - Chips JU pilot lines (100%)
  - Horizon Europe IA (79%)
  - Institutionalised partnership (JU) (79%)
- Buy as a public customer (procurement)
  - Institutionalised partnership (JU) (79%)
- Invest, lend or guarantee
  - InvestEU (79%)
  - EIB venture debt (79%)
  - EIC Accelerator (58%)
- Pool or align Member States and national programmes
  - Chips JU pilot lines (100%)
  - IPCEI (100%)
  - Institutionalised partnership (JU) (79%)

Worked examples

Install a quantum computer for European users
A Member State and its national supercomputing centre want a quantum computer coupled to a supercomputer, open to European users, owned by the public side.
The rules rank first: EuroHPC JU quantum computer procurement; Competitive dialogue
Open this example in the questionnaire
QKD testbeds and links across Member States
Several Member States want national quantum communication infrastructures connected across borders as part of EuroQCI.
The rules rank first: EuroQCI national projects (DEP); CEF Digital (EuroQCI links)
Open this example in the questionnaire
A public need no product meets yet
Public authorities need a quantum-safe sensing or timing service that does not exist yet; they want suppliers to develop and test competing solutions.
The rules rank first: Pre-commercial procurement (PCP); Innovation partnership
Open this example in the questionnaire
Scale up a quantum start-up
A European quantum hardware start-up with a working prototype needs money to grow and reach the market.
The rules rank first: EIC Accelerator; EIC Fund (equity)
Open this example in the questionnaire
A pilot line for quantum chips
Research and technology organisations from several Member States want a shared pilot line to fabricate and test quantum chips, with national co-funding.
The rules rank first: Chips JU pilot lines; IPCEI
Open this example in the questionnaire
Attract and train quantum researchers
A ministry wants more top quantum researchers and doctoral candidates in its universities.
The rules rank first: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions; ERA Chairs
Open this example in the questionnaire
Align national quantum research programmes
National funders of several countries want joint calls for quantum research, each funding its own teams.
The rules rank first: Programme co-fund (co-funded partnership); QuantERA
Open this example in the questionnaire
Collaborative research on quantum sensing
Universities and companies from several countries want to advance quantum sensors from proof of concept to lab validation.
The rules rank first: Horizon Europe RIA; EuroHPC JU quantum grants
Open this example in the questionnaire
Support standardisation and a community roadmap
The Commission wants European stakeholders to coordinate their input to quantum standards and update a strategic roadmap.
The rules rank first: Horizon Europe CSA; COST Action
Open this example in the questionnaire
A first industrial deployment across Member States
Several Member States want to support companies in a large first industrial deployment of quantum technologies, beyond what the market would fund.
The rules rank first: IPCEI; Chips JU pilot lines
Open this example in the questionnaire
Buy an existing service
A Commission service needs a study or an off-the-shelf service on post-quantum migration, available on the market today.
The rules rank first: Open procedure; Restricted procedure
Open this example in the questionnaire
Network researchers across Europe and beyond
Researchers want a pan-European network with partners outside the EU for meetings, training schools and short visits.
The rules rank first: COST Action; Horizon Europe CSA
Open this example in the questionnaire
A regional quantum programme
A region wants to fund quantum testbeds and company projects from its regional development programme.
The rules rank first: Cohesion policy funds (ERDF); Teaming for Excellence
Open this example in the questionnaire

All instruments

Open an instrument for all its facts, sources, contact and next steps. The CSV and JSON downloads hold the whole knowledge base.

Horizon Europe: collaborative actions

Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action (RIA) Grant (the beneficiaries carry out and own the work) (Verified)
Horizon Europe Innovation Action (IA) Grant (the beneficiaries carry out and own the work) (Partly verified)
Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action (CSA) Grant (the beneficiaries carry out and own the work) (Verified)
Horizon Europe inducement and recognition prizes Prize (Partly verified)

Horizon Europe: researchers, excellence and widening

European Research Council (ERC) grants: Starting, Consolidator, Advanced, Synergy, ERC Plus and Proof of Concept Grant (the beneficiaries carry out and own the work) (Partly verified)
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (Doctoral Networks, Postdoctoral Fellowships, Staff Exchanges, COFUND) Grant (the beneficiaries carry out and own the work) (Verified)
ERA Chairs (Widening participation and spreading excellence) Grant (the beneficiaries carry out and own the work) (Partly verified)
Teaming for Excellence (and the 2026 Teaming Synergies action) Grant (the beneficiaries carry out and own the work) (Partly verified)
Twinning Grant (the beneficiaries carry out and own the work) (Partly verified)

European Innovation Council

EIC Pathfinder (Open and Challenges) Grant (the beneficiaries carry out and own the work) (Verified)
EIC Transition Grant (the beneficiaries carry out and own the work) (Verified)
EIC Accelerator (grant, blended finance, equity-only) Equity or blended finance (Verified)
EIC Fund (equity component, EIC STEP Scale Up, Scaleup Europe Fund compartment) Equity or blended finance (Partly verified)

European partnerships and Missions

Horizon Europe Programme Co-fund Action (and co-funded European partnerships) Grant (the beneficiaries carry out and own the work) (Partly verified)
Co-programmed European Partnerships Partnership or body that runs other instruments (Partly verified)
Institutionalised European Partnerships (Article 185/187 TFEU, e.g. Joint Undertakings such as EuroHPC JU and Chips JU) Partnership or body that runs other instruments (Partly verified)
Horizon Europe Missions Grant (the beneficiaries carry out and own the work) (Verified)

Digital Europe Programme

Digital Europe Programme simple grants and lump-sum grants Grant (the beneficiaries carry out and own the work) (Partly verified)
Digital Europe Programme SME Support Actions Grant (the beneficiaries carry out and own the work) (Partly verified)
Digital Europe Programme procurement Procurement (a public buyer contracts and pays for a result) (Partly verified)
European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (EDIC) Partnership or body that runs other instruments (Partly verified)
DEP EuroQCI calls (national QCI deployment, industrial QKD, coordination) and the 2025 IRIS2-funded EuroQCI call Grant (the beneficiaries carry out and own the work) (Partly verified)

Innovation procurement (PCP and PPI)

Horizon Europe Pre-commercial procurement (PCP) and Public procurement of innovative solutions (PPI) actions Grant (the beneficiaries carry out and own the work) (Partly verified)
Pre-commercial procurement (PCP) Procurement (a public buyer contracts and pays for a result) (Partly verified)
Public procurement of innovative solutions (PPI) Procurement (a public buyer contracts and pays for a result) (Partly verified)

Finance: equity, loans and guarantees

InvestEU (Regulation (EU) 2021/523) Loan, venture debt or guarantee (Partly verified)
EIB financing (venture debt, European Growth Finance Facility, EIB quantum investments) Loan, venture debt or guarantee (Not verified)
EIF equity (European Tech Champions Initiative, ESCALAR, InvestEU equity products) Equity or blended finance (Not verified)

State aid and IPCEI

Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) - Communication 2021/C 528/02 State aid rules (national money under EU rules) (Verified)
General Block Exemption Regulation (Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014) - R&D aid State aid rules (national money under EU rules) (Partly verified)
Framework for State aid for research and development and innovation (2022/C 414/01) State aid rules (national money under EU rules) (Partly verified)

Funds managed by the Member States

Cohesion policy funds (ERDF Regulation (EU) 2021/1058; CPR (EU) 2021/1060; STEP Regulation (EU) 2024/795) Shared management (Member State programmes) (Partly verified)
Recovery and Resilience Facility (Regulation (EU) 2021/241) Shared management (Member State programmes) (Partly verified)

Networks and national partnerships

QuantERA (network of national research funders in quantum technologies; joint transnational calls) Grant (the beneficiaries carry out and own the work) (Verified)
COST Actions (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) Networking support (Verified)
EUREKA network projects and Eurostars-3 (European Partnership on Innovative SMEs, Horizon Europe co-funded partnership) Grant (the beneficiaries carry out and own the work) (Partly verified)

How the navigator decides

Each answer you give (not "Not sure", and not a question set aside for your goal) is compared with the fit profile of every instrument. An instrument earns the question's weight when your answer is one of the options its profile lists; for the goal it earns the weight times the level its profile gives that goal (3 a primary purpose, 2 a common use, 1 possible but not its main use, 0 not for this). The score is the share of the weights it earned among those it could earn, in per cent; a question its profile leaves empty does not matter for it and counts neither way. A mismatch on a blocking question (the goal at level 0, how the EU acts, who must own the results, sensitivity) rules the instrument out and the reason is shown. Ties go to the higher goal level, then to the order of the knowledge base. Results at 75% or more are a strong fit, at 55% or more a good fit, from 40% a possible fit; at most eight are shown. The decision tree uses the same rules with the goal and the role answers alone. Nothing is learned from use and no AI is involved.

Weights of the questions
Question	Weight	A mismatch rules the instrument out
Goal	30	Yes
How the EU acts	18	Yes
Maturity	12	No
Who acts	10	No
Countries	8	No
National co-funding	6	No
Budget	6	No
Timeframe	5	No
Ownership of results	10	Yes
Sensitivity	8	Yes

48 instruments, 165 official sources; compiled 2026-10-25, assembled 2026-11-04; reviewed every 180 days, since work programmes change.

Knowledge base of EU instruments for the instrument navigator, compiled from official sources (EUR-Lex read through the Publications Office where EUR-Lex refused automated reading, the Funding & Tenders Portal, work programmes, Commission, agency and Joint Undertaking pages, CORDIS) on the dates shown with each source. Each fact is written in the portal's own words with its source and locator; figures appear only where the source states them. A record marked partly verified has at least one fact read on a summary page or a key page that could not be read. The fit profiles and weights are the portal's editorial rule set, documented in docs/modules/instrument-navigator.md, not official guidance.

Official pages that could not be read when compiled

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32021R0695: HTTP 202 with empty body (EUR-Lex bot challenge); read via Publications Office (2026-10-25)
https://erc.europa.eu/apply-grant/starting-grant: HTTP 403 (2026-10-25)
https://erc.europa.eu/apply-grant/proof-concept: HTTP 403 (2026-10-25)
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-2-msca-actions_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf: HTTP 404 (wrong filename; correct file read instead) (2026-10-25)
https://eic.ec.europa.eu/investment-opportunities/eic-fund_en: HTTP 404 (2026-10-25)
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/activities/work-programmes-digital: HTTP 403 (curl, WebFetch and browser pane) (2026-10-25)
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/work-programme-2025-2027-digital-europe-programme-digital: HTTP 403 (2026-10-25)
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/amendment-digital-europe-programme-and-work-programme-2025-2027: HTTP 403 (2026-10-25)
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32021R0694: HTTP 202 with empty body; read via Publications Office instead (2026-10-25)
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/edic: HTTP 403 (2026-10-25)
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32022D2481: HTTP 202 with empty body; read via Publications Office (2026-10-25)
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/european-quantum-communication-infrastructure-euroqci: HTTP 403 (2026-10-25)
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32021R1153: HTTP 202 with empty body; read via Publications Office (2026-10-25)
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32021R1173: HTTP 202 with empty body (bot challenge); read via Publications Office instead (2026-10-25)
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/eu-invests-eu65-million-quantum-chips: HTTP 403 (2026-10-25)
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/factpages/european-chips-act-chips-europe-initiative: HTTP 403 (2026-10-25)
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/chips-competence-centres-strengthen-semiconductor-expertise-across-europe-about-kick: HTTP 403 (2026-10-25)
https://www.chips-ju.europa.eu/CompCentres/: Page Not Found (2026-10-25)
https://aar2024.chips-ju.europa.eu/annual-report/competence-centres: HTTP 404 (2026-10-25)
https://www.cost.eu/funding/how-to-get-funding/: HTTP 404 (2026-10-25)
https://eurekanetwork.org/programmes-and-calls/eurostars/: HTTP 403 (2026-10-25)
https://eurekanetwork.org/programmes-and-calls/network-projects/: HTTP 403 (2026-10-25)
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32024R2509: AWS WAF challenge / empty content; read via Publications Office instead (2026-10-25)
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32014L0024: AWS WAF challenge; read via Publications Office instead (2026-10-25)
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/pre-commercial-procurement: HTTP 403 (WebFetch, curl and browser) (2026-10-25)
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52021XC0706(02): EUR-Lex empty / WAF; the guidance was read from the Commission docsroom PDF (2026-10-25)
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/public-procurement-innovative-solutions: HTTP 403 (WebFetch, curl and browser) (2026-10-25)
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32021R0697: Empty response (HTTP 202, 0 bytes); acts read via Publications Office instead (2026-10-25)
https://www.eib.org/en/products/equity/venture-debt/index: HTTP 403 (Cloudflare block) via curl, WebFetch and browser (2026-10-25)
https://www.eib.org/en/press/all/2022-207-finland-iqm-s-quantum-fabrication-facility-gets-a-eur35-million-boost-from-the-eib: HTTP 403 (Cloudflare block) (2026-10-25)
https://www.eif.org/etci/index.htm: HTTP 403 (2026-10-25)
https://www.eif.org/what_we_do/equity/escalar/index.htm: HTTP 403 (curl and WebFetch) (2026-10-25)
https://kohesio.ec.europa.eu/en/projects?keywords=quantum%20computer: HTTP 403 (curl and browser) (2026-10-25)
https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/economic-recovery/recovery-and-resilience-facility_en: Redirects to a language-selection page; content read at reforms-investments.ec.europa.eu instead (2026-10-25)
https://eda.europa.eu/what-we-do/eu-defence-initiatives/projects: HTTP 404 (2026-10-25)

Instrument navigator for policy makers

Questionnaire

Instruments that fit your answers

1. European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (EDIC)

Why this

2. DEP EuroQCI calls (national QCI deployment, industrial QKD, coordination) and the 2025 IRIS2-funded EuroQCI call

Why this

3. Connecting Europe Facility Digital - EuroQCI cross-border and space-segment works

Why this

4. EuroHPC JU acquisition of quantum computers with hosting entities (call for expression of interest, hosting agreement, JU procurement)

Why this

5. Institutionalised European Partnerships (Article 185/187 TFEU, e.g. Joint Undertakings such as EuroHPC JU and Chips JU)

Why this

6. Teaming for Excellence (and the 2026 Teaming Synergies action)

Why this

7. Chips JU pilot lines, including quantum chip pilot lines (Chips for Europe Initiative)

Why this

8. Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) - Communication 2021/C 528/02

Why this

Compare instruments

Decision tree

Worked examples

Install a quantum computer for European users

QKD testbeds and links across Member States

A public need no product meets yet

Scale up a quantum start-up

A pilot line for quantum chips

Attract and train quantum researchers

Align national quantum research programmes

Collaborative research on quantum sensing

Support standardisation and a community roadmap

A first industrial deployment across Member States

Buy an existing service

Network researchers across Europe and beyond

A regional quantum programme

All instruments

Horizon Europe: collaborative actions

Horizon Europe: researchers, excellence and widening

European Innovation Council

European partnerships and Missions

Digital Europe Programme

Connecting Europe Facility (Digital)

Joint Undertakings (EuroHPC, Chips)

Procurement procedures (Financial Regulation)

Innovation procurement (PCP and PPI)

Finance: equity, loans and guarantees

State aid and IPCEI

Funds managed by the Member States

Networks and national partnerships

How the navigator decides