Eureka Clusters
Xecs Call on Quantum – 2026
Countries and regions
About this call
Call description
The call for quantum technologies in the Eureka Cluster Xecs framework complies with the following guidelines:
- The budget needs should be compatible with a Eureka Cluster Xecs project, which gives rise to typically smaller projects than Joint Undertaking projects but larger than national or Eureka network projects
- It should focus on “applied quantum technology”, helping to move from TRL 4-5 to 6 or even 7
In line with these guidelines, the Eureka Cluster Xecs call for R&D projects on quantum technologies will focus on the following topics:
Quantum sensing
Quantum sensors should provide the most precise, accurate and sensitive measurements in many fields, boosting the performance of consumer devices and services, such as medical diagnostics, imaging, high-precision navigation, geological surveys and deep space applications. This new and emerging field of technologies still requires research which can be done in parallel with miniaturisation and adaptation into industrial scale manufacturing. New level of measurement electronics and machine learning techniques are required for these highly improved sensitivities. Such goals can be achieved in a global consortium with a multi-disciplinary approach joining academia with industry and metrology and standardisation institutions.
Quantum metrology
Quantum metrology is a prerequisite for successfully transforming quantum technologies into the market. Metrological needs for validation, certification and standardisation of emerging products and technologies should be determined and addressed in a broad spectrum of areas from sensing to communication to computing. What is needed is not a redefinition of the SI system, but rather metrology activities that support and complement next-generation industries. Activities encouraging newly developing quantum technologies to find a stable ground for global scalability are required and should be funded. Having a unified language, defining the testing grounds for electronics dedicated to quantum applications, validating demonstrations of quantum phenomena such as single photon detection, entanglement generation etc. are crucial elements in a sustainable quantum economy.
Quantum communications and cyber security
The objective is to advance quantum communications and cyber security in three essential directions:
- Performance: Increasing bit rates, fidelities, link distances, deployment capabilities and robustness of all types of quantum communications
- Integration: Combining quantum communications with conventional network infrastructures and applications, security services, photonics and electronics platforms and ensuring compatibility with quantum computers, and sensors
- Industrialisation: Realising technology that is sustainable, low-cost to manufacture, offers applications with a clear cost/benefit advantage in several sectors and generates wealth and jobs
Enabling Electronic Components and Systems technologies for quantum computing
Several quantum technologies are being developed for the implementation of solid-state qubits and quantum processors, such as photonic integrated circuits, superconductors, semiconductors, trapped ions, neutral atoms and nitrogen vacancy centres in diamonds. They are very diverse and the jury is still out to know which one(s) will emerge as the foundation(s) for large scale quantum computers. However, whatever the technology finally selected, it will require low-noise electronic circuitry capable of initialising, calibrating, controlling, reading out and amplifying signals from millions of qubits.
While it does not include the implementation of solid-state qubits per se, the call scope includes the development of these enabling Electronic Components and Systems. This includes both solutions operating at cryogenic temperatures (e.g. for superconductors and semiconductors) and solutions at room temperature (e.g. for diamonds). Relevant integrated photonics technologies such as highly efficient single-photon detectors are also included in the call scope.
The proposals should demonstrate miniaturisation, integration and manufacturability progress with respect to the state of the art.
Timeline
- Apply from: 23 June 2026
- Matchmaking: 6 October 2026, Vienna
- Project outline submission deadline: 26 November 2026 (national procedures might start)
- Full project proposal deadline: 5 March 2027
- Funding decisions and Eureka Cluster labelling: June 2027
- Projects can begin (expected): September 2027
Who can apply for this call
To apply, you must meet several eligibility criteria:
- Your project idea must represent international cooperation in the form of a specific project
- The project must be directed at researching or developing an innovative product, process or service with the goal of commercialisation
- The project must have a civilian purpose
- Your consortium must include at least two independent legal entities from a minimum of two Eureka countries
- Participants from countries which aren`t a member of Eureka can participate in projects as long as the above rule is followed
- No single organisation or country can be responsible for more than 70% of the project budget
Country information
Austria 🇦🇹
＋−
Austrian funding agency, Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), funds R&D costs for SMEs and large companies participating in this call. Funding is available as a grant.
The amount of funding available depends on the type of organisation applying.
| Type of organisation | Amount of funding available |
| Startups and small companies | Up to 60% of eligible project costs |
| Medium-sized companies | Up to 50% of eligible project costs |
| Large companies | Up to 40% of eligible project costs |
Funding for Austrian project partners is provided through FFG General Programme, which offers improved funding conditions for Eureka projects.
Additional steps for applications from Austria
Applicants in Austria must submit their application on the FFG eCall portal before 1 February 2027, 12:00 hours CET. Funding in Austria is provided on an annual basis only, therefore follow-on applications must be submitted for the max. duration of three years.
Applications are assessed and evaluated in Austria by experts from FFG General Programme. The final overall assessment in Austria, taking all criteria into account, is carried out by the advisory board of FFG General Programmes.
Additional eligibility criteria for applications from Austria
In Austria, all companies are eligible to apply to FFG General Programme, with cooperation opportunities for universities and research institutions.
For more information, please visit the website of FFG.
Canada 🇨🇦
＋−
Canadian funding agency, the National Research Council Canada (NRC IRAP), funds R&D costs for SMEs participating in this call.
The amount of funding available depends on the type of organisation applying.
| Type of organisation | Amount of funding available |
| SMEs | Up to 50% of eligible project costs |
| Large companies | Funding is not available for companies with more than 500 FTEs. |
| Research organisations or universities | Direct funding is not available to non-SME participants in Canada, but they may qualify for support indirectly as a contractor to the eligible SMEs. Non-SME participants may also seek funding support from other Canadian programs (e.g. NSERC for university researchers) |
Additional steps for applications from Canada
Canadian participants are strongly encouraged to contact their IRAP representative prior to filing an application. For full funding process description please refer to the Canadian webpage for each call specifically.
Additional eligibility criteria for applications from Canada
Please refer to the Canadian call page for funding process details.
Additional evaluation criteria for applications from Canada
Canadian SME participation will be evaluated based on providing benefits to Canada.
More information is available on the website of NRC IRAP.
Finland 🇫🇮
＋−
Finnish funding agency, Business Finland, funds R&D costs for SMEs, large companies, research organisations, and universities participating in this call. Funding is available as a grant.
The amount of funding available depends on the type of organisation applying.
| Type of organisation | Amount of funding available |
| Startups | Start-ups are acceptable only if their special expertise is necessary. |
| Small companies | Up to 50% of eligible project costs |
| Large and medium-sized companies | Up to 40% of eligible project costs |
| Research organisations or universities | Up to 80% of eligible project costs |
More information is available on the website of Business Finland.
Ireland 🇮🇪
＋−
Irish funding agency, Enterprise Ireland, funds R&D costs for SMEs, large companies, research organisations, and universities participating in this call. Funding is available as a grant.
The amount of funding available depends on the type of organisation applying.
| Type of organisation | Amount of funding available |
| Small companies | Up to 60% of eligible project costs |
| Medium-sized companies | Up to 50% of eligible project costs |
| Large companies | Between 15% and 40% of eligible project costs |
| Research organisations or universities | Up to 100% of eligible project costs |
Companies can review national funding guidelines in Ireland on the Enterprise Ireland website.
Startups
Companies classified as High Potential Start Ups (HPSU) in Ireland are not eligible for funding.
Large companies
Large companies are eligible for between 15% and 40% grant funding (depending on the national agency providing the grant).
Research organisations or universities
Universities and research performing organisations are eligible for a 100% grant capped at 250,000 euro per institution per project.
Additional steps for applications from Ireland
Prospective participants are strongly encouraged to contact the relevant national agency to confirm grant eligibility and exact rates prior to any application to Eureka-XECS.
Additional eligibility criteria for applications from Ireland
Companies must be registered with a national funding agency to access support services, including grants. Additionally, national funding applications will only be accepted after the award of a label by Eureka-XECS.
For more information, please visit the website of Enterprise Ireland.
Latvia 🇱🇻
＋−
Latvian funding agency, the Latvian Council of Science (LZP), funds R&D costs for SMEs, large companies, research organisations, and universities participating in this call. Funding is available as a grant with a maximum funding of 100,000 euro per participant per year.
The amount of funding available depends on the type of organisation applying.
| Type of organisation | Amount of funding available |
| Small companies | Up to 80% of eligible project costs |
| Medium-sized companies | Up to 75% of eligible project costs |
| Large companies | Up to 65% of eligible project costs |
| Research organisations or universities | Up to 100% of eligible project costs |
All costs that may arise during the implementation of the project may be eligible. These costs must be separated from the rest of the financial flow and based on factual spending. For detailed eligibility criteria and costs, please see the website of LZP.
Additional steps for applications from Latvia
If the project is marked for funding, the organisation will need to submit a special application requesting funding. In this step, the organisation will be contacted by the National Funding Body.
Additional eligibility criteria for applications from Latvia
To receive funding, companies must have been established for at least two years and must be able to submit financial reports for the last two years without any financial irregularities or legal restrictions that forbid them to receive national funding. For more information, please contact the National Funding Body.
Poland 🇵🇱
＋−
Polish funding agency, National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR), funds R&D costs for SMEs, large companies, research organisations, and universities participating in this call.
The amount of funding available depends on the type of organisation applying.
| Type of organisation | Amount of funding available |
| Startups and small companies | Up to 80% for research Up to 70% for development works |
| Medium-sized companies | Up to 80% for research Up to 60% for development works |
| Large companies | Up to 75% for research Up to 50% for development works |
| Research organisations or universities | Up to 100% for research and development works alike |
There is one common call & funding pot for clusters, network projects, lightweighting and biotech calls.
Additional steps for applications from Poland
Domestic application criteria and regulations will be published on the evening of 21 May 2027 on the NCBR website, with the deadline for applications on 22 October 2027, 14:00 CEST.
Additional eligibility criteria for applications from Poland
Domestic application will be evaluated on merit by three independent experts according to criteria to be published on the evening of 21 May 2027 on the NCBR website.
For more information, please visit the website of NCBR.
Spain 🇪🇸
＋−
Spanish funding agency, Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI), funds R&D costs for SMEs and large companies participating in this call. Funding is available as a loan.
The amount of funding available depends on the type of organisation applying.
| Type of organisation | Amount of funding available |
| Startups and small companies | Up to 85% of eligible project costs |
| Large companies | Up to 85% of eligible project costs |
R&D projects of the International Technological Cooperation can be found on the CDTI website.
Research organisations or universities
Universities and research centres could take part as subcontractors.
Additional steps for applications from Spain
Depending on the funding instrument requested, CDTI may require the submission of additional documentation in Spanish. Spanish partners that fail to submit the required applications within the established deadlines may be considered withdrawn.
The Spanish company (or the Spanish consortium coordinator, where applicable) shall submit a formal application for international R&D project funding through CDTI’s electronic office by 15/12/2026. The application shall include the Project Outline (in English).
Upon receipt of the international application, CDTI shall verify the eligibility of the Spanish applicants. If deemed eligible, CDTI shall enable the corresponding national funding applications for each Spanish participant. These applications shall be duly completed and submitted by all Spanish partners within the deadline established by CDTI, approximately one month after the call deadline.
Additional eligibility criteria for applications from Spain
All Spanish companies are eligible.
For more information, please visit the website of CDTI.
Türkiye 🇹🇷
＋−
Turkish funding agency, TÜBİTAK, funds R&D costs for SMEs, large companies, research organisations, and universities participating in this call. Funding is available as a grant. The total national budget is three million euro. Maximum funding per project is 600,000 euro.
The amount of funding available depends on the type of organisation applying.
| Type of organisation | Amount of funding available |
| Startups and small companies | Up to 75% of eligible project costs |
| Large companies | Up to 60% of eligible project costs |
| Research organisations or universities | Up to 100% of eligible project costs |
Budget Limits: The total call budget is €3M; max €600k per project for Turkish partners. Non-company institutions can receive up to 30% of the total budget.
Eligible Costs: Personnel, travel, consultancy, subcontracting/services, equipment/software, and consumables. Universities/public bodies may also include institutional overhead and project incentives.
Subcontracting: Allowed, but not between consortium partners.
Eligibility & Consortium: Applicants include companies, universities, research institutes, and research hospitals. Universities/public bodies cannot apply alone; at least one company must act as coordinator. Turkish partners in the same project must submit a single joint national application.
Application: Requires submission to the Eureka call and a mandatory national application via TÜBİTAK PRODİS.
Additional steps for applications from Türkiye
In addition to the Eureka application steps, applicants in Türkiye must complete the following national procedures:
- Applicants must submit a national application to TÜBİTAK.
- Applications must be completed through the TÜBİTAK PRODİS system.
- The national application must be submitted within the deadlines specified in the national call schedule.
- If more than one Turkish partner is involved, a single joint national application must be submitted.
- Applicants may be required to provide detailed project information, budget breakdowns, and supporting documents in line with TÜBİTAK requirements.
In addition to the Eureka evaluation, proposals undergo a national evaluation by TÜBİTAK.
Projects are assessed through external expert (referee) reviews, including on-site visits, followed by a decision by the relevant evaluation committee. Evaluation focuses on three main dimensions:
- industrial R&D content, technological level, and innovation,
- feasibility of the project plan and adequacy of the applicant’s infrastructure,
- potential for economic impact and national benefit.
Projects may be rejected if critical issues are identified, such as: lack of genuine R&D content, completed R&D prior to application, unrealistic or misaligned budget, insufficient technical capacity/personnel, low feasibility or commercialisation potential, or non-compliance with call requirements.
Additional eligibility criteria for applications from Türkiye
Institutions other than commercial companies are eligible to participate only in partnership with at least one company, which must act as the national project coordinator.
For more information, please visit the website of TÜBİTAK.
Ukraine 🇺🇦
＋−
Funding modalities will be added soon.
How to apply
Application process
- Contact your ministry or funding agency through Eureka’s website to discuss your project idea, finances, eligibility and procedures.
- Create an account on our application portal (one per consortium) and select the funding opportunity you want to apply to.
- To apply, use the portal and complete one application form per consortium in English. Additionally, request that other partners fill out a partner form.
- Submit a GANTT chart, a signed co-signature form (available for download on the platform), and any other required attachments.
- We will check your application for completeness and eligibility before reviewing it using a standard evaluation procedure. If successful, your project will receive a Eureka label.
- Your country or region’s ministry or funding agency may conduct another evaluation performed by experts and based on national regulations.
- The final step is to complete and sign a consortium agreement. We recommend that you seek legal advice when drafting your consortium agreement.
Important: Your national or regional funding body may need you to complete additional steps to apply to this Network Projects call. If you do not provide the information required by your national or regional funding body, you may render yourself ineligible to receive public funding.
Evaluation process
1. Impact
- Is the market properly addressed (i.e., size, access and risks)?
- Is the value creation properly addressed (i.e., employment opportunities and environmental and societal benefits)?
- What are the competitive advantages of your project (i.e., strategic importance, enhanced capabilities and visibility)?
- Are your commercialisation plans clear and realistic (i.e., return on investment, geographical and sectoral impact)?
2. Excellence
- What is the degree of innovation? (i.e., is the proposed product, process or service state-of-the-art? Is there sufficient technological maturity and risk)?
- How is new knowledge going to be used?
- Is your project scientifically and technically challenging for consortium partners?
- Are the technical achievability and risk properly addressed?
3. Quality and efficiency of implementation
- What is the quality of your consortium (i.e., balance of the partnership and technological, managerial and financial capabilities of each partner)?
- Is there added value through international cooperation?
- Is your project management and planning realistic and clearly defined (i.e., methodology, planning approach, milestones and deliverables)?
- Is your cost structure reasonable (i.e., costs and financial commitment for each consortium partner)?
4. Overall perception
- Experts will list three positive and negative points about your application and state whether they recommend your project for public funding. Your ministry or funding agency may carry out a further evaluation according to national/regional rules before allocating funding to organisations.
