The EuroHPC JU and multiple Participating States plan to jointly acquire compute access from winning AI Gigafactories bidders. These installations mark a substantial commitment to bolstering Europe's artificial intelligence capabilities, advancing technological sovereignty, resilience and strategic independence via world-class AI infrastructure developed and managed within Europe.
Paired with AI Factories, the Gigafactories will deliver AI computing and services to both public and private organisations based in EuroHPC Participating States. This expansion will substantially increase available computing resources through a fresh wave of large-scale independent AI computing infrastructure, fostering innovation, market strength and technological self-reliance.
The AI Gigafactories are envisioned as sophisticated industrial AI operations. Situated throughout EU territory, each will integrate enormous computational resources with next-generation AI processors alongside requisite software and cloud infrastructure, rapid data transmission and power-efficient computing centres.
Operating under industry leadership, the AIGFs will reinforce Europe's AI landscape by growing computing resources and adopting a service-delivery approach. This model will facilitate extensive frontier AI model training, customisation and deployment operations, making these capabilities more accessible and cost-effective for organisations in both the public and commercial spheres.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants include Consortia or Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) assembling corporations, governmental bodies, financial backers and additional collaborators.
AIGFs may be situated in one or more Member States, either concentrated at a single location or dispersed across multiple sites. Cross-border configurations spanning several Member States through geographically distributed AI computing networks are also permissible.
The deadline for submitting applications is 12 November 2026. Following this date, a competitive review process will assess proposals and identify the winning initiatives.
Funding Model
The procurement framework aims to finance both the initial rollout and subsequent scaling of AIGF infrastructure into a sprawling AI computing and service operation. Public investment from the EU and Member States will function as a primary customer, substantially lowering the financial risk of the substantial expenditure needed and facilitating the mobilisation of anticipated private capital exceeding €20 billion throughout the EU.
Following selection in early 2027, the AIGFs are projected to commence service delivery within 18 months.
The procurement initiative will facilitate the creation of as many as seven AI Gigafactories, each furnished with a substantial quantity of cutting-edge AI processors. These installations are foreseen to be dispersed across no fewer than seven Member States, with certain AIGFs potentially functioning as multinational endeavours distributing resources across multiple Member States.
Selected AIGF ventures will obtain varying amounts of EU and national funding support, calibrated to the scope and breadth of sovereign services they intend to furnish. A portion of public funds will originate from the current Multiannual Financial Framework, with the remainder sourced from the subsequent Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2035).
Background
The AI Gigafactories programme constitutes a subsequent phase in Europe's roadmap to increase its independent AI computing resources. It operates alongside the AI Factories scheme and demonstrates Europe's heightened determination to furnish the computational foundation required for producing forthcoming AI innovations.
AI Gigafactories will furnish an integrated AI computing platform, merging AI-tuned supercomputers with sophisticated data storage facilities, extensive storage systems, high-speed communications infrastructure, protected cloud connectivity and expert AI assistance.
These installations will supply the processing capacity essential for constructing and educating sophisticated AI systems, benefiting academics, governmental organisations and commercial entities throughout Europe. Priority consideration will be given to emerging companies, growing enterprises and small-to-medium-sized operations.
About the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking
The EuroHPC Joint Undertaking functions as a cooperative effort between the European Union and member nations, consolidating financial and technical assets to position Europe at the forefront of worldwide supercomputing advancement.
The initiative has already deployed 12 premier supercomputers throughout the continent, encompassing JUPITER in Germany and Alice Recoque in France, representing Europe's inaugural exascale installations.
Scientists, commercial entities and government organisations across Europe gain entry to these systems via EuroHPC Access Calls, enabling them to conduct cutting-edge research and create technologies with significant scientific and commercial ramifications.
Currently, the EuroHPC JU oversees the rollout of 19 AI factories (AIF) spanning the continent, supplemented by 13 AI Factory Antennas. These initiatives furnish cost-free, tailored assistance to SMEs and emerging enterprises.
The EuroHPC JU is additionally constructing Europe's quantum computing framework by combining European quantum systems with its supercomputing infrastructure. It is simultaneously channelling resources into investigation and development spanning the entire European supercomputing sector—encompassing processors, programming tools, practical applications and professional development.
Following the enactment of Council Regulation (EU) 2026/150, the EuroHPC JU's responsibilities have been broadened to encompass the rollout of AI Gigafactories throughout Europe and the progression of quantum innovations.
