Description

This topic supports the establishment of a common European AI compute evaluation platform together with the procurement and deployment of European AI compute infrastructure. The objective is to create a coordinated mechanism for benchmarking, validating and deploying European AI chips and AI compute rack systems in AI Factories and commercial cloud environments across Europe.

The project combines technical evaluation with innovation procurement to accelerate the market uptake of European AI hardware while strengthening Europe's technological sovereignty in AI computing. Successful applicants will establish common benchmarking methodologies, evaluate European AI technologies and coordinate the procurement and deployment of AI compute systems in operational European infrastructures.

Funding Amount

Total indicative budget

• EUR 70 million.

Expected EU contribution per project

• Approximately EUR 70 million is expected to be awarded to one project, although proposals requesting different amounts may be submitted if appropriately justified.

The topic is co-funded with National Funding Authorities (NFA).

Submission Deadlines

• Call launch: 7 July 2026
• Submission deadline (Full Proposal): 23 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time
• This is a one-stage call.

Submission Conditions

• Grant for Procurement (GfP) action.
• One-stage submission (Full Proposal only).
• Co-funded with National Funding Authorities.
• One project is expected to be funded.
• The project has an expected duration of 42 months, divided into three implementation phases:
  • establishment of the AI compute evaluation platform and benchmarking framework;
  • evaluation of AI compute rack systems and procurement preparation;
  • innovation procurement, deployment and optimisation of AI compute systems.
• The consortium must establish a common benchmarking platform and coordinate procurement and deployment activities across participating infrastructures.
• Standard Digital Europe Programme admissibility, eligibility and evaluation conditions apply together with the Chips Joint Undertaking evaluation procedures.
• Procurement activities must comply with the applicable EU procurement rules for Grant for Procurement actions.

Eligible Types of Businesses

The call is open to organisations eligible under the Digital Europe Programme and Chips Joint Undertaking rules, including:

• Contracting authorities;
• Contracting entities;
• Operators of AI Factories;
• Cloud Service Providers (mandatory consortium participants);
• Public bodies;
• SMEs;
• Large enterprises;
• Data centre operators;
• Hardware manufacturers;
• AI infrastructure providers;
• Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs);
• Universities;
• Research institutes;
• Other eligible legal entities.

Each consortium must include at least one contracting authority or contracting entity operating an AI Factory (or equivalent public AI infrastructure) and at least two EU-established Cloud Service Providers. Supporting partners may participate where relevant, but procurement decisions remain with the designated buyers' group.

Eligible Countries

Participation follows the eligibility rules of the Digital Europe Programme.

Eligible entities include organisations established in:

• EU Member States;
• EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway).

Legal entities established in eligible countries but controlled by third countries may participate only if they provide the required security guarantees protecting the essential security interests of the EU and its Member States. Additional participation restrictions under Article 12(6) of the Digital Europe Programme apply. National co-funding is available only in participating states listed in the relevant programme annex.