Xecs Call on Quantum – 2026

Worum geht es in dieser Ausschreibung?

The call supports international collaborative R&D projects in quantum sensing, metrology, communications and enabling electronics for quantum computing. Consortia of at least two independent legal entities from at least two Eureka countries can apply, with participants funded by their national agencies.

Was fördert diese Ausschreibung?

Scope

The call funds international R&D projects on applied quantum technologies within the Eureka Cluster Xecs framework. Projects should help move technologies from TRL 4-5 to TRL 6 or even 7. Budgets should suit a Xecs project, which is typically smaller than a Joint Undertaking project but larger than national or Eureka network projects.

Topics

• Quantum sensing: highly precise and sensitive sensors for fields such as medical diagnostics, imaging, high-precision navigation, geological surveys and deep space, including miniaturisation and adaptation to industrial-scale manufacturing.
• Quantum metrology: addressing needs for validation, certification and standardisation of emerging quantum products, for example test grounds for quantum electronics and validation of demonstrations such as single-photon detection or entanglement generation.
• Quantum communications and cyber security: improving performance (bit rates, fidelity, link distance, robustness), integration with conventional networks, photonics and electronics, and industrialisation at low manufacturing cost.
• Enabling electronic components and systems for quantum computing: low-noise circuitry to initialise, calibrate, control, read out and amplify signals from large numbers of qubits, at cryogenic or room temperature, plus relevant integrated photonics such as single-photon detectors. The implementation of solid-state qubits as such is outside the scope.

Expected outcomes

Proposals in the electronic components topic should demonstrate progress in miniaturisation, integration and manufacturability beyond the state of the art. Projects must be directed at researching or developing an innovative product, process or service with the goal of commercialisation.

Funding

Each participating country funds its own participants through national agencies, with rates depending on organisation type. For example, Business Finland offers grants of up to 50% for small companies and up to 80% for research organisations, while CDTI in Spain offers loans of up to 85% of eligible costs. National budget limits include: Türkiye, a total national budget of €3,000,000 with a maximum of €600,000 per project for Turkish partners (non-company institutions may receive up to 30% of the total); Latvia, a maximum of €100,000 per participant per year; Ireland, universities and research performing organisations capped at €250,000 per institution per project; Ukraine, grants of up to 199,000 UAH per year for up to three years for research and higher education institutions.

Wann endet die Einreichungsfrist?

26. November 2026 (20 Tage)

Two-stage procedure: the project outline deadline is 26 November 2026, 17:00 CET, and the full project proposal deadline is 5 March 2027. Funding decisions and Eureka Cluster labelling are expected in June 2027, with projects expected to begin in September 2027. Applications open on 23 June 2026, with a matchmaking event on 6 October 2026 in Vienna. National steps include an FFG eCall application in Austria before 1 February 2027, 12:00 CET, a formal application to CDTI in Spain by 15 December 2026, and a mandatory national application through TÜBİTAK PRODİS in Türkiye within the national call schedule.