EuroHPC JU Launches Q-Neko Project to Strengthen EU–Japan Hybrid Quantum-HPC Collaboration

Key Takeaways

EU–Japan Quantum Partnership: The EuroHPC JU has launched the Q-Neko project to advance joint development of hybrid high-performance and quantum computing capabilities under the EU-Japan Digital Partnership.

Hybrid Computing Focus: The 36-month initiative targets software platforms, benchmarks, standards, and applications in CO₂ reduction, telecommunications, fluid dynamics, satellite image analysis, materials science, and quantum-enhanced artificial intelligence.

Consortium and Funding: Coordinated by CSC with partners across Europe and Japan, the project receives around €4 million ($4.57 million USD) in European funding from Horizon Europe.

The European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) has launched the Q-Neko (Nippon-Europe Quantum Koraborēshon) project to strengthen collaboration with Japan in hybrid high-performance computing and quantum computing (HPC+QC). Coordinated by CSC – IT Center for Science in Finland, the project is the result of the HORIZON-EUROHPC-JU-2024-INCO-06 call and supports implementation of the EU-Japan Digital Partnership. It is funded by the Horizon Europe programme with around €4 million ($4.57 million USD) on the European side and co-funded by Japan’s Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP). The project started on 1 January 2026 and will run for 36 months.

Hybrid HPC+QC Software, Benchmarks and Applications

Q-Neko aims to establish a robust ecosystem for quantum-accelerated high-performance computing by fostering common methodologies, benchmarks, and standards. Activities focus on the development of software and integrated computing platforms for applications in CO₂ reduction, telecommunications, fluid dynamics, satellite image analysis, materials science, and other high-impact scientific and industrial domains. The project also explores quantum-enhanced artificial intelligence to support data-driven scientific discovery. Throughout its duration, Q-Neko will leverage leading EuroHPC systems across Europe and connect them with emerging quantum hardware and simulators in Europe and Japan, including Japan’s ABCI-Q system.

Strategic EU-Japan Partnership and Technology Roadmap

Through expert exchanges and collaborative joint research, Q-Neko enables scientists and engineers from both regions to address complex challenges and develop next-generation quantum computing solutions. The project contributes to the development of a skilled workforce in hybrid HPC+QC research and applications while producing a forward-looking technology roadmap to guide future strategic collaboration and alignment. The consortium brings together the following European and Japanese partners:

European partners:

CSC – IT Center for Science (coordinator, Finland)

IQM Quantum Computers (Finland)

Forschungszentrum Jülich (Germany)

Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) (Germany)

CEA (France)

Thales (France)

JIJ Europe Ltd (United Kingdom)

Laboratoire National de Metrologie et d’Essais (LNE) (France)

VSB – Technical University of Ostrava (Czech Republic)

QunaSys Denmark APS (Denmark)

Aalto University (Finland)