CITIC, CiTIUS and IGFAE join the first European Centre of Excellence in Quantum Computing

The CITIC at the University of A Coruña, CiTIUS, and the IGFAE at the University of Santiago de Compostela —research centres belonging to the CIGUS Network of the Xunta de Galicia— have joined the first European Quantum Excellence Centre (QEX), in a collaboration coordinated by the Galician Supercomputing Centre (CESGA).

This initiative, driven by the European Commission, aims to consolidate the European Union’s leadership in quantum technologies, promote innovation in cutting-edge computing, and provide access and training services to scientific and industrial users across Europe. The project has a budget of €1.36 million, co-financed 50% by the European Commission and 50% by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Universities and Innovation.

The European Quantum Excellence Centre will serve as a one-stop hub for quantum computing applications and tools, aiming to train scientific users, companies, and industries across Europe to fully leverage the potential of these technologies. Through specialised training programmes and personalised support, QEX will develop highly skilled personnel in quantum computing throughout Europe, while assisting users in adapting to and co-developing quantum applications, ensuring readiness for the next era of computing.

The three Galician centres will play a key role in building this kind of “single European window” for quantum computing. Their work will focus on the development of the access and usage environment for quantum computers, the creation of new applications and software libraries, and the coordination of benchmarking activities for quantum computers and applications. In addition, they will contribute to the training of researchers and users, leveraging experience gained in previous projects such as TalentQ.

With their participation in this initiative, Galicia and the CIGUS Network strengthen their position as a strategic hub in the European field of quantum computing and supercomputing, connecting advanced academic research with national and European infrastructures.

More information about the initiative and partners
The QEX consortium brings together eleven partners from five EU countries, including the three Spanish partners: UDC, CESGA, and USC. It is coordinated by Stichting QuantumDeltaNL (Netherlands), with participation from Denmark (Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, Københavns Universitet, and Syddansk Universitet), Ireland (University of Galway), Germany (Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften and Deutsches Zentrum für Luft– und Raumfahrt), and the Netherlands (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek), in addition to the lead partner Stichting QuantumDeltaNL.

QEX is part of the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, an EU entity established in 2018 by the European Council and Parliament, in collaboration with Member States and industry, to strengthen Europe’s leadership in supercomputing and quantum technologies, thereby reinforcing its technological sovereignty.