Canada has joined the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU), becoming the initiative’s 39th participating state.

The move further builds on joint R&D efforts between the EU and Canada, which started in 1996 and expanded in 2024 when the country joined the Horizon Europe program.

By joining the initiative, Canada will have access to European HPC, AI and quantum compute resources provided by the JU, allowing Canadian researchers to collaborate on scientific and technological projects across those three areas.

Evan Solomon, Minister of AI and digital innovation and Minister responsible for the federal economic development agency for Southern Ontario, said: “Joining EuroHPC JU will deepen Canada’s partnership with Europe and open new opportunities for Canadian researchers and innovators to access world-class supercomputing, AI and quantum computing resources. This collaboration will help advance cutting-edge research, strengthen our collective technological capabilities and ensure Canada and Europe remain at the forefront of emerging technologies.”

Anders Jensen, EuroHPC JU executive director, added: “Canada’s adhesion to the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking reflects the growing importance of international partnerships in developing a sovereign European world-class supercomputing ecosystem. By joining forces, Europe and Canada will reinforce their technological strengths and advance scientific excellence and innovation.”

Launched in 2018 and headquartered in Luxembourg, EuroHPC JU is a joint initiative between the EU and 39 participating member states and associated countries, and private partners to develop a supercomputing ecosystem in Europe.

Its mission is to develop, deploy, extend, and maintain a secure and connected supercomputing and quantum computing ecosystem, while supporting the development of key high-performance computing skills for European science and industry.

Following its vote to leave the European Union in June 2016, the UK joined the EuroHPC JU in May 2024, allowing British researchers and scientists to apply for Horizon Europe-funded research and providing the country with access to EuroHPC JU supercomputers.

Other non-EU countries that participate in the initiative include Norway, Switzerland, Israel, and Turkey.