Expected Outcome: Phase 1: Prepare a technical and financial roadmap for a quantum computing solution
- A detailed technical and financial roadmap, including performance milestones, risk assessments, financial viability assessment, and commercialization timelines.
- Technical documentation that summarizes preliminary results from benchmarks ranging from component level (e.g. fidelity measurements, connectivity, energy-state relaxation time, dephasing time), via system level (e.g. GHZ states, Quantum Volume, CLOPS, Clifford volume) to application level (e.g. Q-Score, MaxCut, quantum compilation volumetric benchmark, Quantum Application Score) and tangible proofs of principle or prototypes, representing the basis for advancing solutions towards validated implementations in real-world settings in Phase 2, if the project is retained.
- An application strategy identifying target sectors and detailing how the proposed integrated quantum systems will deliver quantifiable improvements.
- Expression of interest from potential end-user partners who should collaborate with the project in Phase 2, if the project is retained.
Objective: The primary objective is to establish a comprehensive technical and financial roadmap that demonstrates the potential of the quantum computer developed by the start-up for scientific innovation, economic relevance, and eventual industrial-scale deployment. In addition to the roadmap, eligible companies should deliver physical proofs of principle or preliminary prototypes that demonstrate the feasibility of their integrated hardware and software quantum computing systems.
These outputs will be subject to technical assessment and a financial pre-screening, and pending a positive outcome, they will form the basis for consideration in Phase 2. The projects should showcase the added value of their quantum computing solutions in one or more carefully chosen application sectors, selected by the start-up based on technical feasibility and projected market return. As of Phase 2, the start-up should be accompanied by a number of users representative of the selected application sectors. Applicants are encouraged to include in their proposal Expressions of Interest from those user representatives.
European Commission Q&A: Quantum Grand Challenge
To help the community understand the current EU quantum funding instruments, we have gathered a set of recent questions submitted to the European Commission together with their official responses. These answers clarify how Phase 2 is structured, how financial risk is managed, and what future funding options may look like.
1. Why not make Phase 2 fully grant or procurement? Can it be changed later?
European Commission Response:
Phase 2 is currently structured as an InvestEU and EIB instrument (using EIB own resources) that complements the Horizon Europe grant in Phase 1.
Changing Phase 2 to a 100 percent grant or procurement model would require:
- A formal Work Programme amendment
- Budget availability within the current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)
- Legal and financial compatibility checks, including compliance with State-aid rules and mandate constraints
In practice, such a change cannot be introduced once the call is open. If adjustments are considered necessary, they would be evaluated for a future Work Programme window.
At the upcoming info day, the Commission will explain how the current design aims to attract private capital while keeping public support predictable and stable.
2. Loans are risky. What conditions make them low risk for firms?
European Commission Response:
The EIB and InvestEU window used for this initiative is tailored for innovation projects. It may include several features that reduce financial pressure and risk for firms, such as:
- Long loan tenors
- Grace periods before repayment begins
- Revenue-linked repayment profiles
- Subordinated or venture-debt-like structures
All of these options remain subject to standard EIB due diligence and project risk assessments.
During the info day, the EIB team will present examples of possible terms and eligibility criteria, including how public guarantees and quasi-equity instruments can help reduce cash flow risk during scale-up.
3. The United States is taking equity stakes. Will the EU increase QGC funds or launch a new call?
European Commission Response:
Recent media reports suggested that the United States government may take equity stakes in quantum firms. The U.S. Commerce Department has since confirmed that there are no such negotiations taking place. The EU is monitoring developments carefully but will not react to unconfirmed or corrected reports.
On the European side, any increase in Quantum Flagship or QGC funding, or the creation of a new quantum call, would depend on two factors:
- Availability of budget
- A Work Programme amendment
In parallel, the EIB Group “TechEU” initiative (2025 to 2027) is scaling financing for strategic technologies and may complement project-level EU research and innovation actions.
The Commission will explain potential synergies between these instruments during the info day. Work is also underway on a possible future FTQC call that could serve as a follow-up to the current one, although discussions are still ongoing.
Stay Informed
Further clarifications will be shared during the European Commission Info Day. Representatives from both the Commission and the EIB will provide more information about financial terms, eligibility, and the future direction of funding for quantum technologies in Europe.
This page will continue to be updated with new questions and answers between the European Commission and the quantum community. QuIC supports this liaison with both parties and helps manage expectations related to the call.
Latest version 27.10.2025