FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM JULICH GMBH

Their core work

Forschungszentrum Jülich is one of Germany's largest interdisciplinary research centres, operating major scientific infrastructure in energy, neuroscience, and high-performance computing. They develop and run supercomputing facilities used across Europe, conduct fundamental and applied research in fusion energy, advanced materials, and brain simulation, and coordinate large-scale ERA-NET programmes in agriculture and climate. Their dual strength — deep domain science combined with massive computational infrastructure — makes them a bridge between experimental research and simulation-driven discovery.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2014–2018), Jülich focused heavily on coordination roles: running National Contact Point networks, international cooperation initiatives, and agricultural ERA-NETs like FACCE SURPLUS. Their computing work centred on PRACE infrastructure deployment. From 2019 onward, the profile shifted decisively toward exascale computing, AI/machine learning integration, and quantum simulation, while maintaining their energy and neuroscience foundations. The NCP coordination work faded as the centre doubled down on technical research leadership.

Jülich is positioning itself as Europe's leading centre for converging HPC, AI, and quantum computing — expect future projects at the intersection of simulation, machine learning, and quantum hardware.

How they like to work

Jülich operates primarily as a strong participant (194 of 250 projects) but takes coordinator roles in strategic areas — especially ERA-NETs and infrastructure projects (45 coordinated). With 1,953 unique consortium partners across 82 countries, they function as a mega-hub in European research, connecting an extraordinarily wide network rather than working with a fixed set of partners. Their large consortium preference and infrastructure role mean they are easy to approach and accustomed to onboarding new partners into complex multi-national projects.

One of the most connected organizations in H2020 with 1,953 unique partners spanning 82 countries — effectively a global network with European density. Their partnerships reach well beyond the EU into associated countries and international cooperation targets.

What sets them apart

Jülich combines three capabilities that rarely coexist in a single institution: world-class supercomputing infrastructure, deep domain expertise in energy and neuroscience, and proven experience coordinating pan-European research programmes. For consortium builders, this means one partner can supply both the computational muscle and the scientific domain knowledge. Their 82-country network and EUR 220M funding track record also signal to evaluators that Jülich brings institutional credibility and delivery reliability.

Highlights from their portfolio

• EUROfusion
  Largest single project at EUR 25.7M — implementing the European fusion energy roadmap, reflecting Jülich's central role in ITER-related research.
• PRACE-4IP
  Coordinated the 4th implementation phase of Europe's HPC infrastructure (EUR 1M), cementing Jülich's role as a pillar of European supercomputing.
• CUSTOM-SENSE
  ERC-funded project on custom biosensors (EUR 1.5M) — showcases Jülich's strength in biotechnology beyond their computing and energy core.