Neutral-Atom Platform Technologies

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Expected Outcome:
This action aims to establish European leadership in neutral-atom quantum simulation and digital quantum computing by delivering:

• Fully programmable industry-ready quantum simulators based on 10.000 neutral atoms in a scalable architecture, accessible via cloud platforms, and with the possibility of integrating them into high-performance computing environments.
• Fully programmable platform for neutral-atom quantum computing capable of both analogue quantum operations and gate-based computing with 1.000 physical qubits and a clear path to further scalability to 10.000 physical qubits.
• Coherence time of the order of hundreds of interaction times and infidelity of operations below 1%.
• Demonstration of quantum simulation and/or computing operating beyond classical computability, validated through benchmarking with classical methods.
• New real-world applications across science and industry (at least two) (e.g: in the energy and health sectors)
• The software stack for these applications, including enhanced software for verification, algorithm implementation, and user programming interfaces.
• Demonstration of the full quantum stack – including quantum control, electronic control components and verification of quantum processors simulation operating beyond regimes that are classically computable.
• Programming interfaces allowing users (including non-expert ones to the best extent possible), to use these quantum processors to their problem sets.
• Enhanced scalability, stability, and usability of the quantum simulation and computing processors.
• Strengthened European industrial and technological capacity in quantum simulation/computing and associated hardware/software components.
• This action must address at least two of the technical challenges highlighted in the SRIA 2030 for neutral-atom platforms. These include the need for stable atom control during multi-qubit operations, essential for reliable error correction, and the development of Quantum Non-Demolition (QND) measurement and high-fidelity universal gate operations. Proposals should tackle these and comparable bottlenecks with a view to scalable, fault-tolerant systems for simulation and computation. Scope:
The proposal should advance the maturity and usability of neutral-atom quantum processors platforms with a focus on practical applications. It should include:

• Development and deployment of scalable quantum processors with individually addressable neutral atoms, supporting analogue simulation operation, hybrid analogue-digital techniques and gate-based quantum computing.
• Demonstration of real-world use cases (minimum two), addressing complex scientific or industrial problems (e.g., materials science, chemistry, optimization) that are intractable for classical simulation/computing. These should include benchmarking and verification strategies to assess quantum advantage.
• Development and integration of a complete software stack including quantum control systems, electronic control components, user programming interfaces, classical simulation support tools, and robust operation protocols.
• Cloud-based access to the quantum processor, ensuring usability by researchers and industrial users across Europe. The system should allow for hybrid quantum-classical workflows with HPC environments and support non-expert users to the extent possible.
• Implementation of robust quantum error mitigation, error correction, error detection and quantification techniques adapted to neutral-atom processors.
• Development of benchmarking and cross-platform validation tools to assess the performance of different simulation/computing approaches and support standardisation efforts.
• Pathways highlighting the use of quantum processors as development platforms for future generations of quantum sensors and for the execution of quantum metrological protocols.
• Enhancement of the EU’s supply chain through the development and integration of key quantum components for neutral-atom based computational processors (e.g., trapping and control optics, elecrtronic control components, laser systems, photonic interfaces).
• Coordination of partners activities, including training, documentation, and user engagement activities to foster adoption and ecosystem growth. The action builds upon the foundations set by the PASQuanS2 FPA and aligns with the goals of the Strategic Research and Industry Agenda (SRIA 2030), the Chips for Europe initiative contributing to Europe’s strategic autonomy in neutral atom quantum simulation and digital neutral-atom technologies.
Technology Readiness Level - Technology readiness level expected from completed projects
The rules are described in General Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027.
Activities are expected to start at TRL 4 and to achieve TRL 7 by the end of the project

Status

Open

Deadline

17 November 2026 (time not stated)

Opens

13 August 2026

Published

13 August 2026

Total budget

€20,000,000

Grant range

€19,000,000 – €20,000,000

Country

European Union (EU-wide)

Programme

Horizon Europe (HORIZON)

Funder

European Commission

Official page

Open at the source portal

What applying involves

13 steps, every one of them taken from what this call's own documents state.

Understand the call

• Read the call on the source portal and download its documents
• Write the proposal against the award criteria and thresholds standard for this programme

  described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes — conditions §5a

• Check the grant's legal and financial set-up standard for this programme

  described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific conditions described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme] The documents are described in General Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027. Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA): Application form templates Please use the application form that you will find in the Submission System. You can find examples of standard application forms in the Reference Documents … — conditions §6

• Check the amount you plan to request against the call's range

Check you are eligible

• Confirm your technology readiness level against the range the call states
• Check every partner is established in an eligible country standard for this programme

  described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide — conditions §2

• Meet the call's other eligibility conditions standard for this programme

  described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes — conditions §3

• Be able to show financial and operational capacity standard for this programme

  described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes — conditions §4

• Check the conditions for financial support to third parties

Prepare the documents

• Prepare Part B of the Application Form standard for this programme

  Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System. — conditions

• Complete the detailed budget table standard for this programme

Submit

• Check the submission and evaluation process

  The general criteria are described in the General Annex D of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027. described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual — conditions §5b

• Submit before the closing date shown above

  The source states the closing day but no closing time — check the portal before the last day. — calls.deadline

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