Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
The European Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) aims to ensure industrial leadership for Europe in 5G and 6G.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
The primary outcome of this work is a widely endorsed European roadmap outlining options based on device complexity, target markets, and connectivity capabilities, accompanied by a strategy to revitalize European industrial capabilities in 5G/6G devices.
Detailed Call Description
The scope covers:
• A structured dialogue between the main actors of the European telecom and microelectronics industries, duly complemented with representative verticals as well as institutional players (e.g. for security of public service type of applications) defining the requirements for lower complexity “RedCap” like devices, and its potential evolutions in the context of the technology development towards 6G.
• Identification of the key/priority use-cases and the associated industries that may be used as lead market for early adoption and take up, including core requirements to be served in terms of storage, computing, intelligence, connectivity.
• Analysis of opportunities and threats for the EU’s technological basis, technological competitiveness, and access to leading-edge technology vis-à-vis international competition in the area of 6G devices.
• Identification of key technologies (notably in the microelectronics domain) to develop simplified classes of devices, their mapping with European industrial capabilities the identification of potential gaps in the supply chain, and proposals to “close the gaps”, either from a pure European perspective or with strategic partnerships worldwide. Identification of potential linkages with the Chips JU and the tools developed like the pilot lines is particularly relevant.
• Identification of key technologies and industrial know how requirements, to be mapped with EU capabilities covering 3 basic scenarios: i) TN only devices, with capabilities corresponding with startegic verticals; ii) TN and NTN compatible devices, with integrated electronics making interoperability possible between the two connectivity environments. Integration of WiFi may also be considered as appropriate (indoor scenarios); iii) high end smartphone like devices, to be considered as benchmark scenarios to map technological and industrial capabilities and identify EU gaps.
• Definition of an option dependent roadmap (see previous bullet point) for the exploratory development of such devices covering the core technologies, the experimental facilities, and the use-cases for early deployment scenarios of novel advanced systems. The chosen model for device should preferably be based on open technologies like RISC V where applicable.
• Within the key technologies contributing to the realization of such devices, the role of AI at edge is particularly relevant. The work should hence cover edge distributed AI, functionalities implemented in the device or in the edge, type of model to be used and related complexity.
• Identification of technological approaches enabling eco-friendly device design from a construction/deconstruction perspective.
• Definition of the software development ecosystem needed to support the use of these devices in various applications domains (e.g. applications for professional use or entertainment).
• Identification of relevant national initiatives and the development of a cooperation strategy to leverage national efforts at EU level.
Altogether, the scope of the CSA should cover the full definition of a European industrial programme to relaunch a device capability in Europe, which may be implemented either at EU level or/and at national level.
NB: Considering the timing constraints to follow up with a potential European device initiative under the next MFF, a project duration of up to 2 years is expected.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
100% non-for-profit organisations,
90% profit organisations
Expected EU contribution: €8.000.000
Thematic Categories
- Industry
- Information and Communication Technologies
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
- Small-Medium Enterprises and Competitiveness
- Telecommunications
Eligibility for Participation
- Businesses
- Central Government
- International Organisations
- Large Enterprises
- Legal Entities
- Other Beneficiaries
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
- State-owned Enterprises
Eligibility For Participation Notes
General Annex B of the General Annexes to the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the SNS call 2026, with the following exceptions or amendments:
Restrictions on participation in accordance with Article 22(5) of the Horizon Europe Regulation
In order to achieve the expected outcomes, and safeguard the Union’s strategic assets, interests, autonomy, and security, it is important to avoid a situation of technological dependency on a non-EU source, in a global context that requires the EU to take action to build on its strengths, and to carefully assess and address any strategic weaknesses, vulnerabilities and high-risk dependencies which put at risk the attainment of its ambitions. For this reason, for proposals under topics identified as “subject to restrictions on participation in accordance with Article 22(5) of the Horizon Europe Regulation” (in the specific conditions for eligibility), participation is limited to legal entities established in Member States and Associated Countries.
For the duly justified and exceptional reasons listed in the paragraph above, in order to guarantee the protection of the strategic interests of the Union and its Member States, entities established in an eligible country listed above, but which are directly or indirectly controlled by a non-eligible country or by a non-eligible country entity, may not participate in the action unless it can be demonstrated, by means of guarantees positively assessed by their eligible country of establishment, in so far this is a Member State or Associated Country, that their participation to the action would not negatively impact the Union’s strategic, assets, interests, autonomy, or security. Entities assessed as high-risk suppliers of mobile network communication equipment within the meaning of ‘restrictions for the protection of European communication networks’ (or entities fully or partially owned or controlled by a high-risk supplier) cannot submit guarantees.
The guarantees shall in particular substantiate that, for the purpose of the action, measures are in place to ensure that:
a. control over the applicant legal entity is not exercised in a manner that retrains or restricts its ability to carry out the action and to deliver results, that imposes restrictions concerning its infrastructure, facilities, assets, resources, intellectual property or know-how needed for the purpose of the action, or that undermines its capabilities and standards necessary to carry out the action;
b. access by a non-eligible country or by a non-eligible country entity to sensitive information relating to the action is prevented; and the employees or other persons involved in the action have a national security clearance issued by an eligible country, where appropriate;
c. ownership of the intellectual property arising from, and the results of, the action remain within the recipient during and after completion of the action, are not subject to control or restrictions by non-eligible countries or non-eligible country entity, and are not exported outside the eligible countries, nor is access to them from outside the eligible countries granted, without the approval of the eligible country in which the legal entity is established.
The participants directly subject to this eligibility condition are not only beneficiaries, affiliated entities and associated partners but also subcontractors. Their participation is therefore subject to an ex-ante ownership control assessment by the EC and, if relevant, the EC acceptance of a guarantee approved by an eligible country.
Restrictions for the protection of European communication networks
These restrictions apply in accordance with General Annex B of the General Annexes of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027:
Entities that are assessed as high-risk suppliers of mobile network communication equipment within the meaning of ‘restrictions for the protection of European communication networks’ ( (and any entities they own or control) are not eligible to participate as beneficiaries, affiliated entities and associated partners.
Legal entities established in Russia, Belarus, or in non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine
Given the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the involvement of Belarus, there is currently no appropriate context allowing the implementation of the actions foreseen in this programme with legal entities established in Russia, Belarus, or in non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine. Therefore, even where such entities are not subject to EU restrictive measures, such legal entities are not eligible to participate in any capacity. This includes participation as beneficiaries, affiliated entities, associated partners, third parties giving in-kind contributions, subcontractors or recipients of financial support to third parties (if any). Exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis for justified reasons. With specific regard to measures addressed to Russia, following the adoption of the Council Regulation (EU) 2024/1745 of 24 June 2024 (amending Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 of 31 July 2014), legal entities established outside Russia but whose proprietary rights are directly or indirectly owned for more than 50% by legal persons established in Russia are also not eligible to participate in any capacity.
Gender equality plans and gender dimension of R&I:
According to the General Annexes, provision of a gender equality plan for public bodies, research organisations or higher education establishments (including private research organisations and higher education establishments) applies as per Part B of the General Annexes to the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027. Additional gender issues (related to award sub-criterion consideration of the gender dimension in research and innovation content) shall be addressed as appropriate in case research results are expected to differ when applied to different gender populations of users.