Quantum Excellence Centre for Quantum-Enhanced Applications
Europe Launches Quantum Initiative to bridge Gap between Research and Industry.
A new European effort to accelerate the real-world adoption of quantum technologies has been undertaken with the launch of the new initiative Quantum Excellence Centre for Quantum-Enhanced Applications (QEC4QEA). Funded by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking with an EU contribution of approximately €4.9 million, the four-year project aims to transform cutting-edge quantum research into practical industrial solutions.
Coordinated by the Jülich Supercomputing Centre, QEC4QEA brings together 19 academic and industry partners from across Europe, including ICFO in Spain, Germany, Italy, and France. The initiative is designed as a unified platform, effectively a “one-stop shop”, to simplify access to quantum-enhanced technologies and services.
A central pillar of QEC4QEA is the integration of quantum capabilities into classical HPC workflows. This hybrid approach is expected to unlock new efficiencies in sectors where computational complexity remains a bottleneck.
Key application areas include advanced cryptography and data security, financial modeling and crash prediction, machine learning and image analysis, as well as pharmaceutical research and materials discovery. By embedding quantum functionalities into existing systems, QEC4QEA aims to make next-generation computing more accessible to industry.
Within the project, ICREA Prof. at ICFO Antonio Acín and his research group will bring their expertise on the design of quantum algorithms for current and near-term quantum devices, as well as methods for the certification and benchmarking of quantum computers. ICFO will develop solutions to problems in quantum chemistry, optimization, and post-quantum cryptography, and lead efforts in quantum machine learning.
By fostering collaboration, expanding access to quantum resources, and investing in skills development, QEC4QEA represents a significant step toward strengthening Europe’s position in global quantum innovation and sovereignty. The initiative underscores the EU’s broader ambition to translate scientific excellence into technological leadership and industrial competitiveness.