The Quantum Internet Alliance (QIA) has received €47.5 million in new funding from the European Commission to advance its work on a full-stack quantum internet prototype and prepare it for real-world deployment. 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.
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.
“Over the past years, we have developed the core building blocks of a quantum internet. Our mission in this next phase is to integrate these components into a full stack quantum internet prototype. Europe is at the very forefront of quantum internet technologies world-wide, and this prototype may become the first of its kind in the world,” said QIA Director Stephanie Wehner.
The programme will also take first steps towards Quantum Internet Initiative by transitioning quantum networking technologies from laboratory experiments to real-world applications, including initial preparations for quantum internet pilot facilities and open-access infrastructure for researchers, developers and companies. QIA is already delivering impact beyond the lab. Technologies developed within the programme have moved to products, and new startups are emerging from the QIA ecosystem, ready to translate QIA’s breakthroughs now into practical products and services.
QIA’s full stack effort also includes work on advancing use cases of quantum network technologies, and provides a platform for all Quantum Internet efforts across Europe to connect and join forces.
“Right now, Europe is still at the forefront of quantum internet efforts worldwide,” Wehner added. “With this second phase, we are creating technology that does not yet exist anywhere on earth. But to remain ahead, it is critically important that in addition to the second phase of this R&D project, QIA’s startups can now move to the realisation of proof-of-concept use cases, we empower the ecosystem by making open access facilities available, and we further strengthen Europe’s technological capabilities and create the conditions for a vibrant quantum ecosystem that can compete globally,” she concluded.
GÉANT and the Quantum Internet Alliance sign MoU
GÉANT and the Quantum Internet Alliance (QIA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaboration across quantum networking technologies, infrastructure and ecosystem development.
Signed at GÉANT offices in Amsterdam on 8 September 2026, the MoU aims to promote knowledge exchange, encourage interoperability and strengthen links between quantum technology research and innovation and the wider European research and education networking community. Under the agreement, GÉANT and QIA will support the transition of quantum networking technologies from laboratory prototypes towards field-trial and potentially cross-border network environments.
The collaboration will draw on the complementary strengths of both organisations, with GÉANT bringing decades of experience in procuring, operating and maintaining networking infrastructure, cross-border connectivity, federation, operational practice and community coordination, and QIA contributing expertise across the quantum networking value chain, from technology development and system integration to pilot deployments, industrialisation and the growth of Europe’s quantum internet ecosystem.
Through the GÉANT Association, the agreement brings European National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) and their communities closer to Quantum Internet developments, strengthening their role, reducing duplication and fragmentation, and aligning efforts, standards and practices.
For QIA, the agreement offers an opportunity to draw on GÉANT’s extensive experience in operating pan-European network infrastructure and serving diverse user communities, helping to accelerate the development, deployment and adoption of quantum internet technologies across Europe.
“GÉANT and European NRENs have an important role to play in developing quantum networking in Europe. Combining the complementary strengths of GÉANT, our community of NRENs, and the QIA, we contribute to transformative advancements in Europe’s quantum ecosystem,” said GÉANT CEO Lise Fuhr.
“QIA’s mission is to realise a global Quantum Internet made in Europe. As part of this mission, it is important to establish the ecosystem covering the entire value chain. I am excited to connect our members with Europe’s research and education networking community. GÉANT and European NRENs will play an important role, and working together creates new opportunities to operationalise quantum networking, validate ideas, explore future use cases and help accelerate progress towards our mission,” QIA Director Stephanie Wehner noted.
The MoU sets out a framework for GÉANT and QIA to strengthen their engagement and exchange expertise across a range of areas of mutual interest. This includes exploring how network infrastructure and test environments can support the development and validation of quantum internet technologies, as well as opportunities for field trials and demonstrations in realistic network settings.
The agreement also provides a basis for dialogue on systems, software and network architectures, specifically on interoperability and the operational requirements of deploying emerging technologies.
Lastly, GÉANT and QIA will engage their communities to explore use cases, encourage wider participation and exchange views on the future of quantum networking in Europe. This will include knowledge exchange between QIA technical teams and GÉANT community structures such as SIG-Quantum, the QIA Technology Forum, coordination on topics of shared strategic interest, and contributions to relevant European initiatives and policy frameworks.
