I3-2026-INV1 - Interregional Innovation Investments Strand 1

Expected Outcome: This action aims to establish European leadership in neutral-atom quantum simulation and digital quantum computing by delivering: Fully programmable industry-ready quantum simulators based on 10.000 neutral atoms in a scalable architecture, accessible via cloud platforms, and with the possibility of integrating them into high-performance computing environments. Fully programmable platform for neutral-atom quantum computing capable of both analogue quantum operations and gate-based computing with 1.000 physical qubits and a clear path to further scalability to 10.000 physical qubits. Coherence time of the order of hundreds of interaction times and infidelity of operations below 1%. Demonstration of quantum simulation and/or computing operating beyond classical computability, validated through benchmarking with classical methods. New real-world applications across science and industry (at least two) (e.g: in the energy and health sectors) The software stack for these applications, including enhanced software for verification, algorithm implementation, and user programming interfaces. Demonstration of the full quantum stack – including quantum control, electronic…

Expected Impact: This Challenge looks to accelerate the development and uptake of clinically validated interventions that target the root cause of multiple age-related morbidities. It will: Deliver biotechnology-based interventions for healthy ageing Accelerate the implementation of personalised care in ageing based on molecular phenotyping​ Provide recommendations for regulatory pathways addressing ageing as a target to inform developers, regulators, and other decision makers​, and Improve citizen literacy on longevity. Expected Outcome: Ambitious proposals put forward under this call will deliver: Proof-of-concepts (TRL3 completed) of biotechnology-based or pharmaceutical interventions that prevents or delays the onset of, or reverts, an age-related disease in a vertebrate model system, based on the hallmarks of ageing, taking into consideration practical challenges of implementing such an intervention Tools to facilitate development or adoption of the interventions above, such as proof-of-concept validation of biomarker signatures or suitable pre-clinical models​, and Approaches to address the shared regulatory hurdles and societal challenges linked to ageing-related…

Expected Outcome: Proposals are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes: custom officers, border guards and relevant law enforcement officers and civil servants from competent authorities have improved capacities to detect illegal wildlife trade and prevent invasive alien species introduction, reintroduction and spread; illegal wildlife trade is better detected, contributing to improved protection of endangered species, and the spread of invasive alien species through trade is prevented and identified as early as possible, supporting the EU and global biodiversity objectives. Scope: Wildlife trafficking and invasive alien species pose major threats to biodiversity [1] and present important challenges regarding enforcement, prevention and detection capacities. Invasive alien species also cause significant negative economic impacts, estimated at around €12 billion per year in the EU, and wildlife trafficking is one of the most profitable criminal activities worldwide [2] . Moreover, they pose significant health hazards. The rate of introduction of invasive alien species has been increasing. Wildlife trafficking is also increasing, especially due to increase in…

Expected Outcome: Proposals are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: stakeholders are empowered to co-create, deploy and replicate viable ecosystem restoration measures leading to their wider uptake, with solutions to address implementation bottlenecks and financing issues; competent authorities in charge of implementing the EU Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR) can design and reuse effective deployment frameworks, informed by evidence and lessons generated through living labs across different contexts; social, economic and environmental co-benefits, risks and trade-offs of nature restoration activities are demonstrated, addressed and made explicit to support informed decision-making and scaling, including, where appropriate, potential One Health aspects. Scope: The NRR requires Member States to put in place area-based restoration measures, including Nature-based solutions, as highlighted and recommended in both the EU Climate adaptation strategy and in the European Water Resilience Strategy. Notably measures to implement the NRR article 9 on free-flowing rivers support the objectives of the European Water Resilience Strategy to restore and protect…

Expected Outcome: Proposals are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes: the mechanistic understanding of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) effects on biodiversity, on ecosystems and on ecosystem services is improved and evaluations of their extent are available; research needs to close knowledge gaps and to address issues on biodiversity and ecosystem services are better identified; the new knowledge can be integrated by policymakers in their decisions related to biodiversity protection and restoration, environmental protection and protection of human health as well as in socio-economic cost-benefit analysis for policy measures on PFAS. Scope: PFAS pollution significantly impacts human health and the environment. Addressing PFAS is notably a flagship action under the Water Resilience Strategy [1] . There is growing evidence on impacts on biodiversity above and below ground and water, but more evidence is needed to substantiate the effects on different species, populations and entire ecosystems, and their extent. A European Commission study published on 29 January 2026 [2] revealed significant knowledge gaps on the effects of PFAS on biodiversity. In…

Expected Outcome: Increased recovery rates of valuable raw materials, particularly critical raw materials from low grade or complex ores and/or from mining waste; Increased economic performance in terms of higher material-, water-, energy- and cost-efficiency and flexibility in minerals processing and metallurgical processes; and Improved health, safety and environmental performance of the operations throughout the whole life cycle that is considered, including a reduction in waste, wastewater and generation of emissions of air pollutants and a better recovery of resources from generated waste, reducing the environmental footprint and contributing to biodiversity and ecosystems preservation. Scope: Actions should develop and validate / demonstrate pilot scale facility located in the EU integrating relevant processing and refining technologies for improved recovery of raw materials from low grade and/or complex ores from extractive wastes, reduction of waste and water and air pollution, higher energy efficiency and reduction of land and sea-use change, habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation. The action can also focus on reducing the content of toxic elements or compounds in…

Expected Impact: FOR ALL THREE THEMATIC PRIORITIES: Expected impact at the closure of the project (non-exhaustive list): Creation of new value chains in less developed regions and transition regions; Application and deployment of innovative technologies and solutions (new to the region) in less developed and transition regions (innovation diffusion); Exploitation of project results; Innovative technologies tested and adopted by the market; Innovative solutions deployed improving businesses confidence, competences and means to digitalise and grow; Contribution to digitisation and health systems transformation, through various types of innovation and the supply of IT services; Uptake of technologically/economically reliable and viable solutions on the market; Deployment of new technologies fostering the growth of Europe’s manufacturing sector; Innovative technologies adopted by SMEs; Identification of possible sources of funding/funding mix, to cover the residual investment needs (public-private partnerships for the deployment of innovation, the collaboration with venture capitals, EIB group loans etc); Strengthening innovation diffusion channels; Reinforcing the capacity of regions…