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 goal of this CSA is to facilitate structured cooperation and exchanges between EU and Indian stakeholders in the field of advanced connectivity research.
Detailed Call Description
The scope covers the following topics:
• Analytical assessment of the industrial policies and approaches in India and the EU in the 6G context, including opportunities and risks.
• Comprehensive analysis of the industrial ecosystems in both regions focusing on 6G-related requirements, complementarities, and long-term areas where cooperation can support future research or address technological dependencies (e.g. supply-chain considerations).
• Identification of priority domains of 6G technological cooperation that can be in the short term stimulated by cooperative R&D and would result in tangible benefits for Europe.
• Joint exploratory EU-India work on 6G Vision, its relevant technologies, platform or testbeds for experimental research and societal and economic aspects of 6G.
• Preparation of research-oriented roadmaps for possible future collaborations (such as in the development of tools for experimentation, open-source software tools and repositories, prototyping and evaluation, tools for probing and data analytics, emulation, management and technology trials and pilots), workshops and scientific exchanges.
• Applicants are invited to describe how the EU-India cooperation will be organised within the project and the approach they will use to engage with Indian stakeholders. The selected project is expected to interact with relevant Indian organisations, including standardisation bodies (e.g. TSDSI), Indian institutions and other Indian stakeholders (including Bharat 6G). Proposals should include description of specific cooperation activities to be carried out such as exchange of information and results, sharing of data, sharing of methodologies, researcher exchanges and visits, joint workshops, joint testbeds etc. A strong and demonstrated innovation and industrial understanding of the 6G ecosystem of India 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: €3.000.000
Thematic Categories
- Economy-Finances
- Environment and Climate Change
- Industry
- Information and Communication Technologies
- Information Technology
- Processing
- Public Administration
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
- Small-Medium Enterprises and Competitiveness
- Telecommunications
- Trade and Commerce
Eligibility for Participation
- Businesses
- Central Government
- Educational Institutions
- International Organisations
- Large Enterprises
- Legal Entities
- Other Beneficiaries
- Private Bodies
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- Semi-governmental organisations
- 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, Associated Countries, OECD and Mercosur countries, and India.
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.
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.