Framework Partnership Agreement for developing large-scale quantum Computing platform technologies (FPA) -

Expected Outcome

The Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) in quantum computing is expected to establish a stable and structured partnership between the Commission and the institutions and organisations in quantum computing who commit themselves to establishing, maintaining and implementing a strategic research roadmap aligned with and contributing to the Quantum Flagship Strategic Research Agenda in a scalable open quantum computing platform based on a specific quantum platform technology.

This partnership will be set up through a FPA, which will enable the completion of the research roadmap within the context of the agreement.

The consortia responding to the call may include research institutes, universities, RTOs, foundations, industry, SMEs as well as other organisations that can play a role in the realisation of these quantum computing platforms. The FPA will specify the objectives, the nature of the actions planned, and the procedure for awarding specific grants. The FPA is expected to contribute to the following outcomes:

• Demonstrate a universally programmable processor of at least 200 physical qubits (by 2027) operating in the NISQ domain including firmware and having sufficient coherence to perform computations involving all of its qubits; characterised with a hardware-agnostic test suite, including real-world applications, including for hybrid quantum/HPC computing, and the capability of out-performing classical computers on a number of relevant real-world use-cases; control needs to involve a low-level control system, a compiler and a scheduler.
• By 2029, build a full stack, highly connected, high fidelity quantum computer of at least one thousand physical qubits, exhibiting scalability and capable of out-performing classical computers on relevant real-world use-cases.
• Formulate standards and interface specifications for a complete software and hardware stack including remote, cloud-based access.

Scope

Fostering a vibrant European quantum computing industry will require hardware, software, and the development and maintenance of user interfaces and applications. Proposals for this FPA are expected to build on the quantum computing platforms supported under the Quantum Flagship ramp-up phase. Proposals should target the development of open quantum computing platforms compatible with the fabrication techniques of the semiconductor industry (e.g. silicon spin qubits), integrating the key building blocks such as quantum processors in the NISQ regime with control electronics, low-level software, verification and validation of the quantum computation, etc.

Proposals should include practical strategies towards the break-even point of fault tolerance to increase algorithmic depth (number of operations) for quantum computing on existing platforms.

Proposals for the FPA should describe how the activities carried out during the ramp-up phase will be continued involving the relevant disciplines ,technologies and stakeholders, how results of the ramp-up phase will be used, and how they will provide efficient coordination under strong scientific and engineering leadership.

Proposals for the FPA should also address the development and integration in this platform of a full software stack, including a compiler and scheduler, programming tools, a suite of algorithms, use cases etc., that would allow them to showcase their capability of solving real and concrete computational problem(s) that demonstrate a quantum advantage and to make progress towards fault tolerance.

Proposals should aim at the development of open quantum computer experimental systems, and work on the reduction of their form factor.

Proposals for FPAs should also cover: (i) the cooperation with complementary projects previously launched, specifically in the area of the enabling quantum software stack (see HORIZON-CL4-2021-DIGITAL-EMERGING-02-10: Strengthening the quantum software ecosystem for quantum computing platforms), and DEP Future EuroHPC JU Calls for acquisition and operation of Quantum computers, and their integration with the HPC and data infrastructure, including also the need to establish from the beginning of this cooperation appropriate IP exploitation agreements; (ii) the collaboration with other initiatives or programmes at regional, national, transnational or global level; (iii) any additional support they may receive in their activities from relevant national, or regional programmes and initiatives; and (iv) contribution to the governance and overall coordination of the Quantum Technologies Flagship initiative. (v) relevant aspects of cooperation with European industry and SMEs/ They should also contribute to spreading excellence across Europe; for example, through the involvement of Widening Countries.

The partnership will have a duration of 4 years.

In this topic the integration of the gender dimension (sex and gender analysis) in research and innovation content is not a mandatory requirement.

Activities are expected to start at TRL 4-5 and achieve TRL 6-7 by the end of the project – see General Annex B.

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