The EuroHPC JU launches three new Research & Innovation calls

Call – Energy Efficient Technologies in HPC 

The objective of this call, HORIZON-EUROHPC-JU-2023-ENERGY-04, is to develop innovative energy efficient HPC software technologies tailored to exascale and post-exascale supercomputers. The initiative will focus on the development and deployment of an energy-aware resource management and monitoring solution for the EuroHPC supercomputers. The action will address challenges associated with the energy efficient and energy constraint operation of heterogeneous and modular HPC systems. The common solution towards a European software stack will contribute to the harmonisation of the European HPC ecosystem, maximise system utilisation and global R&D output of supercomputers while minimising waste of energy and resources.  

In line with the European Union’s priority to promote the new Green Deal, the EuroHPC JU is committed to addressing energy efficiency and environmental sustainability throughout the whole spectrum of HPC technologies, such as low-power hardware technology, dynamic power-saving and innovative techniques including advanced cooling and heat recycling. While energy efficiency poses multidimensional challenges across the entire HPC value chain, the EuroHPC JU also aims at improving the amount and quality of R&D output per energy unit consumed. 

The call is open for submissions until 7 February 2024, 17:00 (CET). More details and all relevant documents concerning the call are available on this dedicated webpage. 

Call – EuroHPC Virtual Training Academy 

The objective of this call, DIGITAL-EUROHPC-JU-2023-ACADEMY-02, is to establish the EuroHPC Academy to support European training programmes in HPC. The Academy will provide a structured framework of competences and qualifications covering the multidisciplinary field of HPC, including related areas such as emerging technologies (e.g. quantum computing), and its cross-cutting dimensions. The Academy will provide harmonised and quality-controlled learning and teaching content with a systematic breakdown in coherent small learning volumes that can be seamlessly combined to courses and trainings, including the award of certifications such as microcredentials. 

The EuroHPC Academy will play a pivotal role in advancing coordinated HPC educational programmes, trainings and courses across Europe addressing a wide range of stakeholders, ranging from academic education programmes to professional training, short-term courses, and facilitation independent learning. 

The EuroHPC Academy will support training providers to facilitate the effective delivery of HPC education, training, courses, qualifications and assessments, fostering a skilled and knowledgeable European HPC community.  

The call is open for submissions until 6 June 2024, 17:00 (CEST). More details and all relevant documents concerning the call are available on this dedicated webpage. 

Call – European Quantum Excellence Centres (QECs) in applications for science and industry 

The objective of call HORIZON-EUROHPC-JU-2023-QEC-05-01 is to establish two European Quantum Excellence Centres (QECs) dedicated to applications for quantum computers.  The envisaged centres will address applications in multiple domains including science, business and industry. As knowledge hubs for quantum computing, the centres will gather competences of advanced users and leading application developers to foster the development of a quantum computing ecosystem.  

The Centres will leverage the efforts of the EuroHPC JU to deploy a European quantum computing infrastructure integrated into supercomputers. They will drive the development of quantum computer programming models, software libraries, algorithms, applications and training of the quantum computing workforce. 

The developments within the QECs will aim for technology-agnostic approaches with a clear focus on quantum applications for end-users in science and industry. Generally, the developments will be user-driven and committed to co-design principles, ensuring that upcoming quantum computing architectures align seamlessly with the expected user requirements for applications. 

The call is open for submissions until 14 May 2024, 17:00 (CEST). 

More details and all relevant documents concerning the call are available on this dedicated webpage. 

Background 

The EuroHPC JU is a legal and funding entity, created in 2018 and reviewed in 2021 by means of Council Regulation (EU) 2021/1173, with the mission to:  

• develop, deploy, extend and maintain in the EU a world-leading federated, secure and hyper-connected supercomputing, quantum computing, service and data infrastructure ecosystem;  

• support the development and uptake of demand-oriented and user-driven innovative and competitive supercomputing system based on a supply chain that will ensure components, technologies and knowledge limiting the risk of disruptions and the development of a wide range of applications optimised for these systems;  

• widen the use of that supercomputing infrastructure to a large number of public and private users and support the development of key HPC skills for European science and industry.  

In order to equip Europe with a world-leading supercomputing infrastructure, the EuroHPC JU has already procured nine supercomputers, located across Europe. No matter where in Europe they are located, European scientists and users from the public sector and industry can benefit from these EuroHPC supercomputers, which rank among the world’s most powerful. 

In parallel, the EuroHPC JU is funding an ambitious research and innovation programme to develop a full European supercomputing supply chain: from processors and software to applications to be run on these supercomputers and know-how to develop strong European expertise.