August 31, 2026 is the deadline for businesses to apply to Fraunhofer’s INQUBATOR program, which offers quantum-computing access without buying their own machines.
At least four use cases will be selected for roughly 10 months of joint development with Fraunhofer institutes, aimed at testing algorithms in practical business applications.
The program gives companies access to quantum systems from multiple international manufacturers, letting them compare hardware directly inside the applications they build.
Fraunhofer says the effort targets a key adoption barrier—high upfront costs and limited in-house expertise—and will end each project with an exploitation plan focused on economic viability.
BMFTR-funded INQUBATOR is already working on initial use cases in medicine, cybersecurity, insurance and automotive, positioning the scheme as a low-risk entry point for wider industry adoption.
With quantum's practical use still years away, how can Germany's new program promise businesses tangible benefits now?
In a global quantum race fueled by billions, can Germany's collaborative model give its businesses a winning edge?
Fraunhofer INQUBATOR: Accelerating Quantum Adoption in Industry—Open Call for Use Cases by August 31, 2026
Overview
The Fraunhofer INQUBATOR program, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, is a major initiative aimed at making quantum computing accessible to businesses. By focusing on translating advanced quantum research into practical solutions, the program lowers barriers for companies and emphasizes the economic validation of quantum technologies. It has already started developing real-world use cases in fields like medicine, cybersecurity, insurance, and automotive, showing its commitment to impactful results. Through this approach, INQUBATOR helps companies explore and adopt quantum computing, driving innovation and practical benefits across industries.