European researchers launch major quantum computing hardware and software initiatives

European researchers and industry partners are advancing quantum computing capabilities through two major initiatives. The NFQC-1k project, a €122 million effort led by QUDORA and funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, aims to develop a fault-tolerant quantum computer. The project seeks to create a system featuring at least 1,000 physical qubits and 50 logical qubits using trapped-ion technology. Key participants include Alpine Quantum Technologies, NXP Semiconductors Germany GmbH, and the Technical University of Braunschweig.

In a parallel effort, the EU-funded Q-VERSE project is developing a hardware-agnostic software stack for quantum computers. Coordinated by Fraunhofer FOKUS with €4.9 million in Horizon Europe funding, the three-year project aims to create a unified runtime-agnostic ecosystem, described by researchers as a “Linux for quantum computers.” The initiative involves 13 partners, including the Eclipse Foundation and DB Systel GmbH, and seeks to establish Eclipse Qrisp as a standard for quantum programming across different architectures.