Open calls › Digital Europe Programme
AI chip demonstrators for EU compute infrastructure
Digital Europe Programme · DIGITAL-JU-CHIPS-2026-AI1-SG
Grants for working AI chip prototypes by EU fabless companies, validated on a common EU evaluation platform.
What is this call about?
The topic funds working AI chip prototypes designed by EU fabless companies and integrated with their system partners. The prototypes are validated on a common EU evaluation platform, and the best solutions can be awarded the AI Compute Excellence label.
What does this call fund?
The topic supports functional demonstrators of AI chips designed in the EU, tested in a shared evaluation setting so that the strongest European solutions can be identified for further development.
Expected outcomes
- Functional demonstrators of working AI chip prototypes at printed circuit board (PCB) level, designed by EU fabless companies and physically integrated with their system partners.
- Validation of the AI chip solutions on a common EU evaluation platform, provided by the consortium of a related topic (Topic X.B), producing comparative evidence on key performance indicators.
- A shortlist of European AI chip solutions that receive the AI Compute Excellence label and qualify to move on to full rack development under a follow-up topic (Topic X.A2).
Type of action and funding
The topic is implemented as a simple grant. The EU contribution per project ranges from €500,000 to €1,000,000, and around ten projects are expected to be funded.
What are the key facts?
- Topic budget
- €10,000,000
- Minimum amount per project
- €500,000
- Maximum amount per project
- €1,000,000
- Call code
- DIGITAL-JU-CHIPS-2026-AI1-SG
- Programme
- Digital Europe Programme
- Expected number of projects
- 10
Who can apply for this call?
- The call text sets no conditions of its own on who can apply; the general eligibility conditions of the programme apply.
Check your eligibility and how your project fits
In your free account, we check the eligibility conditions against the call documents for your organisation and assess how well your project fits this call.
When is the deadline?
1 December 2026 (26 days)
23 September 2026 (single-stage call).
Interested in this call? Summary written with AI from the official call documents. Details can differ, so check the official call page before you apply. Read the official call documents before you decide. The official text is always binding.
Source: EU Funding & Tenders Portal and the official call documents. Official call page Last updated 15 October 2026.