EU launches call for up to seven AI gigafactories (up to EUR 30 billion)

On 30 July 2026 the European Union and the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking launched a call for tenders to build up to seven AI gigafactories – large-scale computing facilities for training and fine-tuning advanced AI models, to which start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises, industry, academia and public authorities are to gain access. The project is to be supported by up to EUR 10 billion in EU and national funding and to unlock at least EUR 20 billion in private investment; the legal basis is Council Regulation (EU) 2026/150, which expanded the EuroHPC JU's mandate with a pillar for gigafactories. The call closes on 12 November 2026, award decisions are expected in early 2027, and operations are to begin no later than 18 months after the contract is signed.