The one architecture connecting Europe’s computing power
Cloud, edge and high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructures currently operate in mostly disconnected environments, while interoperable, trustworthy and sovereign data infrastructures remain underdeveloped. This fragmentation limits Europe’s capacity to process vast volumes of data efficiently and to translate scientific excellence into competitive digital services. Although Europe has invested in HPC and is advancing in data spaces such as mobility, energy, crisis management and scientific computing, a common cloud architecture that connects HPC, quantum computing, edge devices and data governance frameworks is missing.
Addressing European digital ecosystem fragmentation
The NOUS(opens in new window) project’s overarching goal is to design and implement a federated, interoperable and sovereign European cloud service architecture that integrates compute (HPC and quantum connectivity), edge (distributed and federated processing) and data (governance, lifecycle and interoperability) components into a unified open source platform. To do so, it is tackling three core challenges: leveraging HPC and quantum resources through an integrated interface, fostering a distributed cloud-edge-Internet of things continuum that better allocates computation and storage, and enabling seamless integration with emerging European data spaces. “NOUS has already achieved substantial architectural, technical and governance milestones that demonstrate measurable progress beyond the state of the art in distributed architectures, federated learning and hybrid HPC-quantum integration,” comments Ricardo S. Alonso Rincón, general director at AIR Institute – National Technological Center in Castilla y León, the Spain-based private research organisation coordinating the project. First, a defined and documented connectivity framework between NOUS and European HPC infrastructures has been established. Initial validation of compute-intensive workflows on HPC resources has been accomplished. Second, distributed processing and federated learning components supporting the edge-to-fog-to-cloud continuum have been specified and implemented. Third, a blockchain-based proof of concept has been integrated at the architectural level to support traceability and life cycle governance, complemented by legal and regulatory analysis. Fourth, the overall NOUS reference architecture has been documented and released in an open source version, consolidating compute, edge and data components.
European cloud-edge-HPC ecosystem benefits
For research institutions, NOUS will improve access to advanced computing infrastructures and support interdisciplinary innovation across the various data spaces. It will lower entry barriers for industry and SMEs to advanced analytics and distributed computing, fostering new business opportunities and strengthening competitiveness. From a policy perspective, NOUS will contribute to clarifying legal and governance questions related to blockchain, cloud, edge computing and data sharing, as well as to supporting the implementation of EU data legislation. Lastly, the project will promote trustworthy, privacy-aware and human-centred AI infrastructures. NOUS (A catalyst for EuropeaN ClOUd Services in the era of data spaces, high-performance and edge computing), which ends in December 2026, is focusing on consolidation, large-scale validation, evaluation, exploitation planning and commercialisation strategies. It is also defining a roadmap and guidelines for an HPC ecosystem and for other relevant European actors. “We intend to deliver an open, reusable reference architecture that strengthens Europe’s strategic autonomy in data and computing services while aligning with EU values and regulatory frameworks,” concludes Alonso Rincón. “Its added value lies in coherent integration, that is, combining architecture, governance, legal compliance, interoperability and real-world validation into a unified framework.” If you are interested in having your EU-funded project featured as a ‘Project of the Month’, please send us an email to editorial@cordis.europa.eu and tell us why!
