The NET4EXA project aims to create an advanced interconnect for HPC and AI systems, including Large Language Models, that will scale to hundreds of thousands of computing nodes. The interconnect forms the backbone of such systems, and their overall performance is intimately tied to the scalability of the network and its tight coupling with the high-end compute elements. Building on the successful BXI* European HPC Interconnect, whose earlier versions (BXIv1 and BXIv2) have been deployed in European supercomputers ranking among the TOP15, and based on the research for its evolution carried out in the RED-SEA and other previous European RIA projects, NET4EXA will pursue the development of the next generation of European Interconnects (BXIv3). This includes both the switch and network interface, encompassing both hardware and its associated software. The project will showcase a fully functional Pilot at TRL 8, poised for adoption and integration into exascale and post-exascale European supercomputers. NET4EXA will also prepare the subsequent version, BXIv4, planned for implementation after this Innovation Action. The project will contribute by offering analysis and preliminary design for upcoming interconnect features, thus paving the way for continued progress in the field. Leveraging two decades of BULL experience in building HPC solutions, with now more than 40 Top500 entries in 2024, the project outcomes will fit the technological requirements for state-of-the-art HPC solutions to be implemented in European and international supercomputers and datacentres from 2025 onward. *BXI: BullSequana eXascale Interconnect

CASTIEL´s mission is to contribute to the success of the activities of the National Competence Centres (as realized in the Research and Innovation Action (RIA) in the same call – EuroHPC-04-2019 by tackling both the maintenance and strengthening of excellence, while identifying and closing gaps due to the diverse levels of maturity between the different nations. CASTIEL will therefore bring together a core consortium to setup a framework of activities that will support the evolution of each single National Competence Centre and enable them step by step to get closer together in terms of capabilities and expertise. The greatest challenge hereby is the integration of the single nations into the overall strategy at European level while preserving their autonomy and without interfering with their national strategy. This will address, the challenge of maximising existing European HPC knowledge and expertise across Europe, and CASTIEL will take the role of a single and central reference point at European Level to coordinate and support the National Competence Centres.

IT4LIA AI Factory will act as a catalyst for the creation and growth of a more competitive AI ecosystem both in Italy and the EU, by leveraging on EUROHPC LEONARDO and TECNOPOLO BOLOGNA infrastructural assets and the rapidly growing AI national ecosystem. This proposal to establish a European AI Factory in Italy (equipped with an AI-optimized supercomputer) is crucial for nurturing and advancing the vision conceived in 2017, based on a collaborative strategy and a unified commitment at all government levels, including the Italian National Ministry of University and Research and the Emilia Romagna Regional Government, which led to the creation of Bologna Tecnopolo (a hub for supercomputing, big data processing, AI and quantum computing) and to the rapid growth of the national ecosystem. The strong support from the European Union EuroHPC played a key role in the success of this strategy.

The FF4EuroHPC proposal addresses the need for outreach to, and support of, Europe’s Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in order that they can profit from the innovation advantages offered by advanced High Performance Computing (HPC) technologies and services. FF4EuroHPC takes core team members from the highly successful Fortissimo and Fortissimo-2 projects (hereinafter simply Fortissimo projects) which executed 92 business experiments. They will use the lessons learned and best practices developed in those projects to create a portfolio of business-oriented “application experiments” that allow agile SMEs to investigate and solve business challenges and develop innovative business opportunities. The application experiment framework ensures that they receive the necessary, appropriate support to enter into the HPC ecosystem. FF4EuroHPC will lower the barriers for the participating SMEs to commence HPC-related innovation in their existing or newly identified markets either by using HPC systems for their business needs or by providing new HPC-based services. The outcome will be improved design and development processes, better products and services, and improved competitiveness in the global marketplace. Fundamentally, FF4EuroHPC is focussed on the creation of economic growth and jobs for the European Union.