Tyndall partner in €50m P4Q pilot programme.
DFHERIS Minister James Lawless welcomed the announcement, highlighting the importance of collaboration in building Europe’s quantum future
Photonics for Quantum (P4Q), a major new European initiative, is set to launch in 2026 across twelve countries, representing a significant milestone in Europe’s drive to accelerate quantum technology development and manufacturing.
In Ireland, the programme will be hosted at Tyndall National Institute, based at University College Cork, and is co-funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Skills (DFHERIS). This support reflects Ireland’s strategic commitment to building sovereign capability in advanced semiconductors and quantum technologies.
Coordinated by the University of Twente in the Netherlands, P4Q unites Europe’s leading research institutes, semiconductor foundries, and deep-tech companies. Together, the consortium aims to establish the manufacturing ecosystem needed to produce high-quality quantum photonic chips at scale — a critical requirement as the global race for quantum leadership intensifies.
Photonic chips are central to the future of quantum sensing, secure communication, and computing. However, one of the key challenges facing the sector is scaling production: next-generation quantum systems will depend on the reliable, high-volume manufacture of these advanced chips.
As a core partner, Tyndall will contribute its specialised expertise in advanced packaging for quantum photonic chips, an essential technology for enabling scalable quantum systems.
Tyndall’s work will focus on one of the most complex challenges in quantum hardware: packaging chips that must operate at ultra-low cryogenic temperatures. These packaging processes require exceptional precision and performance, while also being adaptable for high-volume manufacturing as quantum markets mature.
DFHERIS Minister James Lawless welcomed the announcement, highlighting the importance of collaboration in building Europe’s quantum future:
“My Department is deeply committed to advancing quantum technologies, because this is an area with enormous potential to strengthen our economy and make a real difference in people’s lives. Progress in quantum hardware depends on strong partnerships, and collaboration like this is essential for developing cutting-edge technologies and building secure, reliable supply chains. I am delighted to see Tyndall contributing to such a high-calibre consortium.”
Professor William Scanlon, CEO of Tyndall, emphasised the wider significance of the partnership:
“We are proud to play a leading role in P4Q, which represents an important milestone for Europe’s quantum and semiconductor ambitions. Advancing the packaging of quantum photonic chips is essential for building a scalable manufacturing base in Europe. This partnership reinforces Ireland’s leadership in quantum innovation and supports our national strategy to grow a resilient, future-focused semiconductor ecosystem.”
Professor Peter O’Brien, Head of Photonics Packaging at Tyndall, added:
“P4Q provides Ireland with a unique opportunity to lead the development of advanced packaging technologies for quantum devices. With our state-of-the-art infrastructure and unique expertise, Ireland is exceptionally well positioned to remain at the forefront of quantum research and industrialisation, fully aligned with our national semiconductor strategy.”
Recent commentary has underscored the importance of strengthening indigenous semiconductor capability to secure Ireland’s long-term economic and technological resilience. P4Q directly responds to this national priority, placing Ireland’s expertise at the centre of a high-impact European quantum manufacturing effort.
The P4Q consortium includes partners such as Tyndall National Institute, University of Twente, IMEC, CEA-Leti, Fraunhofer, TU Delft, VTT, Thales, Leonardo, Quandela, and many other leading organisations across Europe.
Tyndall National Institute is one of Europe’s leading deep-tech research centres, specialising in integrated ICT materials, devices, circuits, and systems. A flagship research institute of University College Cork, Tyndall is Ireland’s largest Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) in electronics and photonics.
With more than 200 industry partners worldwide and a multidisciplinary community of over 650 researchers from 52 nationalities, Tyndall is dedicated to transforming scientific excellence into real-world impact across sectors including electronics, communications, energy, health, agri-food, and the environment.
Project News