- Reference
AI Factories Access (Playground / Fast Lane / Large Scale)- Implementing authority
- European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU)
- Programme
- EuroHPC JU - AI Factories (including BRAIN++ in Sofia)
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Days left
- Rolling
- Total programme budget
- Not verified
- Per beneficiary
- Not verifiedSupport is compute time (GPU hours), not cash. Fast Lane covers up to 50,000 GPU hours, Large Scale above 50,000.
- Max. funding intensity
- Not verified
- Own contribution
- Not verified
- Funding type
- Computing Credits
Total budget is not the amount one applicant can receive.
Overview
Free access to AI-optimised supercomputers for training, fine-tuning and inference, plus training and expert support. In Bulgaria, BRAIN++ is building the Discoverer++ supercomputer (close to 1,000 GPUs) and a BulgAI Sandbox for SMEs; pilots can meanwhile run on Discoverer+.
Summary written by YARD Law (AI-assisted) from the official sources. Not an official text.
Status: Open. EuroHPC's access modes are continuously open: Playground is first-come-first-served, Large Scale runs on periodic cut-offs. source
| Window | Opens | Deadline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous (Playground, Fast Lane) | - | -No deadline. source | Open |
Who can apply?
3 of 11 conditions confirmed
AI start-ups and SMEs (free of charge); other industrial users can access on a pay-per-use basis.
| Requirement | Our record | source |
|---|---|---|
| Bulgarian or EU legal entity | Status is shown with a VAT number and, where applicable, a PIC. | source |
| SME, micro or large-enterprise eligibility | Free of charge for AI start-ups and SMEs. | source |
| Startup or established business | Not verified | |
| Minimum operating history | Not verified | |
| Minimum turnover | Not verified | |
| Eligible sectors and NACE codes | Not verified | |
| Geographic eligibility | Not verified | |
| Linked and partner enterprise rules | Not verified | |
| Financial standing and outstanding public debts | Not verified | |
| Consortium or partnership requirements | Not verified | |
| Other programme-specific restrictions | Civilian use only, in compliance with the AI Act. | source |
Eligible investments
1 eligible · 0 conditional · 9 not verified
| Investment | Status | Our record |
|---|---|---|
| AI software development | Not verified | Not yet verified from the call documents. |
| AI integration and automation | Not verified | Not yet verified from the call documents. |
| Commercial software and licences | Not verified | Not yet verified from the call documents. |
| GPU servers, computing equipment and storage | Ineligible | No cash funding: access to EuroHPC systems only, not purchase of hardware. source |
| Data-centre infrastructure | Not verified | Not yet verified from the call documents. |
| Cloud subscriptions and computing services | Eligible | The support itself is GPU compute time on EuroHPC AI Factory systems. source |
| Staff and R&D expenditure | Not verified | Not yet verified from the call documents. |
| Machinery and industrial equipment | Not verified | Not yet verified from the call documents. |
| Energy-efficiency systems | Not verified | Not yet verified from the call documents. |
| Consulting and other professional services | Not verified | Not yet verified from the call documents. |
| Construction or renovation | Not verified | Not yet verified from the call documents. |
Financial requirements
1 of 7 confirmed
| Minimum and maximum project value | Not verified |
|---|---|
| Grant percentage | Not verified |
| Required own contribution | Not verified |
| Advance payments | Not verified |
| Payment and reimbursement rules | Free for AI SMEs and start-ups in the Industrial Innovation modes; others pay per use. source |
| State-aid limitations | Not verified |
| Eligible and ineligible costs | Not verified |
Application process
10 steps
A practical outline. The call documents prevail wherever they differ.
Check eligibility
Pick the access mode that fits: Playground to test, Fast Lane up to 50,000 GPU hours, Large Scale above that. Check the civilian-use and AI Act conditions.
Gather supporting documents
Have your VAT number and, where applicable, PIC ready, plus a short technical description of the workload.
Prepare the proposal
Describe the project, the model or workload and the expected outcome.
Prepare the resource request
Estimate the GPU hours and storage you need. The support is compute time, not cash.
Use the official portal
Apply on the EuroHPC JU user portal (access.eurohpc-ju.europa.eu). EuroHPC JU User Portal
Accept the terms
Applicants accept the access terms electronically on the portal.
Timing
Playground runs first-come-first-served; Large Scale runs on periodic cut-offs.
Review
Requests get a technical and, for larger allocations, a scientific or innovation review.
Allocation
Approved users receive an allocation on a named AI Factory system.
Use and acknowledge
Run the workload within the allocation period and acknowledge EuroHPC support as required.
Required documents
2 mandatory · 1 conditional
Official sources
6 official links
- Official programme announcement
- AI Factories Access Modes - EuroHPC JUAI Factories: Bulgaria (BRAIN++) - EuroHPC JU
- Application portal
- EuroHPC JU User Portal
- Guidelines for applicants
- Terms of Reference - AI Factories Access Calls (PDF)Large Scale Access to AI factories - EuroHPC JU
- Application templates
- Not linked yet
- Eligible-cost rules
- Not linked yet
- Official clarifications and amendments
- Not linked yet
- Managing authority contact
- Sofia Tech Park - BRAIN++
Managing authority contact: EuroHPC JU; for BRAIN++, Sofia Tech Park. www.eurohpc-ju.europa.eu/ai-factories/bulgaria_en
Questions and answers
4 questions
- Can a Bulgarian company apply for EuroHPC AI Factories Access?
- Eligible applicants: AI start-ups and SMEs (free of charge); other industrial users can access on a pay-per-use basis. EU and EuroHPC participating states. BRAIN++ at Sofia Tech Park is Bulgaria's AI Factory.
- What is the deadline for EuroHPC AI Factories Access?
- EuroHPC AI Factories Access has no fixed deadline: applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Checked on 3 Nov 2026.
- How much funding can one company get from EuroHPC AI Factories Access?
- Support is compute time (GPU hours), not cash. Fast Lane covers up to 50,000 GPU hours, Large Scale above 50,000.
- How do I apply for EuroHPC AI Factories Access?
- Requests are made on the EuroHPC JU user portal (access.eurohpc-ju.europa.eu), choosing the access mode that fits the workload. Official announcement: https://www.eurohpc-ju.europa.eu/ai-factories/ai-factories-access-modes_en
Summary written by YARD Law (AI-assisted) from the official sources. Not an official text.
Record history
Research draft · Last checked: 3 Nov 2026 · Automated check · 4 Nov 2026 · source unchanged
No changes recorded since this record was created.
Bulgaria Funding Intelligence is an information service of YARD Law Co. It is not legal advice and not an official source. YARD Law does not administer public funds and has no official affiliation with any funding authority.