SNS JU

The European Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) is a Public-Private Partnership that aims to facilitate and develop industrial leadership in Europe in 5G and 6G networks and services. The SNS JU funds projects that shape a solid research and innovation (R&I) roadmap and deployment agenda by engaging a critical mass of European stakeholders and facilitating international cooperation on various 6G initiatives. The SNS JU has two main missions: 1 – Fostering Europe’s technology sovereignty in 6G by implementing the related research and innovation (R&I) programme leading to the conception and standardisation around 2025. It encourages preparation for early market adoption of 6G technologies by the end of the decade. Mobilising a broad set of stakeholders is key to address strategic areas of the networks and services value chain. This ranges from edge- and cloud-based service provisioning to market opportunities in new components and devices beyond smartphones. 2 – Boosting 5G deployment in Europe in view of developing digital lead markets and enabling the digital and green transition of the economy and society. For this objective, the SNS JU coordinates strategic guidance for the relevant programmes under the Connecting Europe Facility, in particular 5G Corridors. It also contributes to the coordination of national programmes, including under the Recovery and Resilience Facility and other European programmes and facilities such as Digital Europe Programme (DEP) and InvestEU.

Entité de financement

Commission Européenne - Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (Horizon Europe)

Clôture de l'appel

18 septembre 2025

Zone géographique

eur

Thématiques

Cyber security

Digital Infrastructure

Open Source

Accéder à l'appel à projets

Objectif

SNS R&I WP 2025 further advances the technological and business realisation of the 6G vision, targeting massive digitisation of societal and business processes through intelligent connectivity across the human, physical and digital worlds. The 6G R&I focus of the SNS R&I WP 2025 covers enabling technologies with dedicated prototyping and experimentation, towards (sub)system R&I, whilst also considering longer-term disruptive technologies.

The SNS R&I WP 2025 includes the following three complementary streams:

• Stream B: covers research for revolutionary and evolutionary technology advancements, in preparation for 6G and revolutionary and evolutionary advancements including IoT, devices and software. This Stream targets both low-medium TRLs leveraging WP 2024 with the objective of delivering innovative solutions towards real-life networks in a short to medium-term period and also low TRL targeting forthcoming 6G / disruptive technologies in a long-term period. The Stream contains the Topics dedicated to wireless communication and signal processing, communication infrastructure technologies and devices, and reliable services and smart security. A dedicated Topic on the design, development and testing of a Front-End Module (FEM) is also included.

•Stream C: focuses on SNS Enablers and Proof of Concepts (PoCs) used to further develop and consolidate experimental infrastructure(s), in support of the various phases of the SNS JU. Stream C developments in WP 2025 has a particular focus on 6G Telco Cloud and service platform, using Open-Source technologies and addressing longer term parts of the 3C Networks orientations.

•Stream D: targets SNS Trials and Pilots with Verticals, including the required infrastructure. The aim is to explore and demonstrate technologies and advanced applications and services for the vertical domains. SNS R&I WP 2025 Stream D projects are expected to mostly rely on SNS Phase 1, and early Phase 2 (Call 2023 and Call 2024) technologies and especially the infrastructures being developed from Stream C projects. The Stream D projects are also expected to use results from other HE calls (e.g., Cluster 4) or results on 6G from national initiatives. The goal is to further incorporate innovative 6G functionalities.

Critères d'éligibilité

Horizon Europe eligibility criteria apply.

Technologies clés

SNS JU 2025 calls

Stream B (RIA)
01-01: Advanced Architectures Systems and Technologies
01-02: Advanced IoT and Device Technologies
02: Wireless Communication Technologies and Signal Processing
03-01: 6G NTN-TN Unification/Integration
03-02: Higher Speed Optical Access Networks and future end-to-end Packet Optical Network Architecture in 6G
04-01: Smart Security / Security Services
04-02: Reliable Services Operation
05: Microelectronic – Front-End Module (FEM)

Stream C (RIA)
01: 6G Telco Cloud and Service Provision enablers

Stream D (IA)
01: SNS Trials and Pilots (T&Ps) with Verticals

Typologie de consortium

SNS R&I WP 2025 further addresses medium and higher TRLs, complementing SNS R&I WP 2024 (startin at TRL 1-3 and ending at TRL 5-7, depending on the call). It also includes a specific focus on low TRL in Stream B targeting future 6G developments and disruptive technologies for 6G.

A total budget of EUR 128M has been dedicated to 2025 WP, with a range of EUR 8M to 24M per call. The funding rate for non-for-profit organizations is 100%. The funding rate for for-profit organizations in IAs (Innovation Actions) is 70% and 90% in RIAs (Research and Innovation Actions).

Expected submission deadline is mid-end of April.