October 14th, 2026
New €47.5 million Euro European Commission grant supports for QIA’s Next Phase to Build Full-Stack Quantum Networks
The Quantum Internet Alliance receives Euro 47.5 million to build a full-stack quantum internet prototype, with AQT contributing trapped-ion hardware as a partner.
Quantum internet prototype takes shape in Innsbruck, Austria
Innsbruck is becoming a key development site for a future European quantum internet. Researchers are working to connect quantum computers over long distances, moving quantum networking beyond individual laboratory technologies toward a functioning, programmable network.
5.4 million Euro in EU funding for Innsbruck
The University of Innsbruck and AQT will receive Euro 5.4 million as part of a Euro 47.5 million European Commission funding package for the Quantum Internet Alliance (QIA). The Specific Grant Agreement (SGA 2) will support the next 42 months of research and development, building on the consortium’s achievements during the first phase (SGA1) which ran from October 2022 to March 2026. In SGA1, QIA expanded its European platform for quantum internet development, integrating hardware, software and networking research while laying the technological foundations for a prototype quantum network. Over the next 3.5 years, QIA will focus on combining these technologies into a complete, programmable quantum network prototype capable of running quantum network applications. A key milestone is demonstrating how two metropolitan-scale quantum networks can be interconnected via a long-distance fibre link using quantum repeaters, a critical step toward large-scale quantum communication.
Quantum computers will be interconnected
The prototype will use trapped-ion quantum internet nodes arranged in two metropolitan-scale networks, connected through hundreds of kilometres of optical fibre. Quantum hardware for prototype quantum internet could support highly secure communications, distributed and networked quantum computing and more precise timing measurements. The project will explore how these potential capabilities can be turned into applications and use cases.
The Quantum Internet Alliance (QIA)
The European Quantum Internet Alliance (QIA) is a partnership of 50+ world-leading institutions on a mission to build a global Quantum Internet made in Europe. Led by TU Delft, QIA currently consists of academic institutions, telecom operators, system integrators and quantum technology start-ups across 12 European member states. For more information, visit www.quantuminternetalliance.org
Photo credit: QIA
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We’re happy to inform about the launch of our Product Finder. The new tool makes it easier to quickly explore the available options and identify instruments that match the requirements of your needs.
September 29th, 2026
AQT Germany will be one of the seven members in the consortium of research institutions and industry partners in a bid to build one of Europe's most advanced quantum computers.
June 2nd, 2026
On May 27th 2026, the CHAMP-ION consortium held its international opening event in Villach, Austria, bringing together leading stakeholders from across the European quantum technologies ecosystem.