OpenSuperQPlus & EURICE GmbH

OpenSuperQPlus: The Quantum Computing Initiative

Background and Purpose

OpenSuperQPlus is the successor and continuation of the earlier OpenSuperQ project. The name itself reflects its core mission: an open, European effort to build superconducting quantum computers. The "Plus" designation signals the expanded scope and ambition of this follow-on phase, which aims to move Europe closer to practical, scalable quantum computing capability.

The overarching goal of OpenSuperQPlus is the development of a European quantum computer based on superconducting qubit technology. Superconducting qubits are among the leading physical platforms for building quantum processors, favored for their scalability, relatively fast gate operations, and compatibility with established semiconductor fabrication techniques.

Scientific and Technical Objectives

The project pursues a roadmap that targets increasingly capable quantum processors. Key technical goals include:

• Development of superconducting quantum processors with a growing number of high-quality qubits, working toward systems capable of demonstrating quantum advantage for real-world problems.
• Improvement of qubit coherence times, gate fidelities, and overall processor performance to reduce error rates and enable more complex computations.
• Advancement of the full quantum computing stack, encompassing hardware, control electronics, cryogenic infrastructure, and software.
• Integration of quantum error correction techniques to move toward fault tolerant quantum computation.
• Application development in domains such as quantum chemistry, materials science, optimization, and machine learning, where quantum computers are expected to offer meaningful advantages.

European Sovereignty and Open Approach

A central theme of OpenSuperQPlus is the strengthening of European technological sovereignty in quantum computing. By developing hardware, software, and expertise within Europe, the project seeks to reduce dependency on non-European technology suppliers and to build a robust, self-sustaining quantum ecosystem across the continent.

The "open" philosophy embedded in the project name reflects a commitment to collaboration, knowledge sharing, and building an accessible platform that serves the broader European research and industrial community. The project brings together universities, research institutions, and industrial partners from numerous European countries, pooling expertise and resources.

Consortium and Collaboration

OpenSuperQPlus is characterized by a large, pan-European consortium comprising leading academic groups, national research laboratories, and industry players active in quantum technology. This collaborative structure allows the project to tackle the multidisciplinary challenges of quantum computing, which span physics, engineering, materials science, computer science, and software development.

The project is funded under the European Union's research and innovation framework programs as part of the Quantum Flagship, a decade-long initiative launched to consolidate and expand European scientific leadership and excellence in quantum technologies.

EURICE GmbH: Project Management and Coordination

Company Profile

EURICE GmbH, the European Research and Project Office GmbH, is a German company specializing in the management and administration of European and international research and innovation projects. With decades of experience in supporting collaborative research consortia, EURICE has established itself as a trusted partner for scientists and institutions seeking to navigate the complexities of European Union funded projects.

EURICE is based in Germany and operates as a professional services provider that bridges the gap between scientific ambition and the practical realities of managing large, multinational research efforts.

Role Within OpenSuperQPlus

Within the OpenSuperQPlus consortium, EURICE GmbH typically assumes responsibility for the non-scientific, operational aspects of the project. This allows the scientific and technical partners to focus their energies on research and development while EURICE handles the demanding administrative requirements associated with large EU grants.

Services Offered by EURICE

EURICE provides a comprehensive suite of services tailored to the needs of research consortia, including:

• Project Management: Coordinating the activities of numerous partners across multiple countries, ensuring deadlines are met, deliverables are produced, and milestones are achieved according to the project plan.

• Financial Management: Overseeing budgets, managing the distribution of funds among partners, monitoring expenditure, and ensuring compliance with the financial rules of European funding bodies.

• Administrative Support: Handling the extensive documentation, reporting, and communication requirements that accompany EU funded research, including periodic reports and reviews.

• Communication and Dissemination: Supporting the visibility of project results through websites, publications, press activities, and outreach to stakeholders and the wider public.

• Legal and Contractual Support: Assisting with consortium agreements, grant agreements, and intellectual property matters that arise in collaborative research settings.

• Proposal Development: Supporting the preparation and submission of funding proposals, helping consortia to craft competitive applications.

• Innovation Management and Exploitation: Helping projects to translate research outcomes into tangible impact, including the identification of exploitation pathways and the protection of results.

Value Proposition

The involvement of a dedicated project management office such as EURICE is essential to the success of complex research initiatives. European research projects operate under stringent rules regarding reporting, financial accountability, and administrative procedures. Managing these requirements demands specialized expertise that most scientific partners do not possess in depth. EURICE fills this gap, ensuring that consortia remain compliant, efficient, and focused on their scientific goals.

Significance and Impact

The partnership between OpenSuperQPlus as a research endeavor and EURICE GmbH as a coordinating and management entity illustrates the modern architecture of large-scale European science. Quantum computing is widely regarded as a transformative technology with the potential to revolutionize fields ranging from drug discovery and materials design to cryptography, logistics, and artificial intelligence.

By combining top scientific talent with professional project management, OpenSuperQPlus aims to position Europe at the forefront of the global quantum race. The project not only advances the state of the art in superconducting quantum hardware but also cultivates a skilled workforce, fosters industrial engagement, and builds the infrastructure necessary for a thriving European quantum economy.

Summary

OpenSuperQPlus is a flagship European quantum computing project focused on the development of superconducting quantum computers, pursued through a broad consortium of academic and industrial partners and funded within the framework of the European Quantum Flagship. EURICE GmbH, a German specialist in research project management, provides the coordination, financial oversight, administrative support, and communication services that enable this ambitious initiative to operate smoothly. Together, they represent the collaborative and professional foundations upon which Europe is building its future in quantum technology.