6G NTN-TN Unification/Integration

The grant opportunity HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-03-01 is part of the EU's Horizon Europe program, specifically focused on enhancing 6G telecommunications through the unification of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) and Terrestrial Networks (TN). The objective is to foster innovative research and development in core technologies, architectures, and protocols that support seamless network services, promoting collaboration among various stakeholders.

Eligible applicants include startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large corporations, universities, research institutions, and non-profits. Funding types for for-profit entities cover 90% of project costs, while non-profits may receive 100%. The funding is classified as a grant with a total budget of €128 million allocated for 2025, with individual grants capped at €8 million per project. The application process is characterized by a single-stage submission model, and entities interested in applying must submit proposals by September 18, 2025.

Geographically, applicants must be located in EU Member States, Associated Countries, OECD countries, or Mercosur countries. Participation may be limited for entities from specific nations deemed high-risk, such as Russia and Belarus.

The project aims to develop critical technologies that will allow for efficient communication across multiple network types. Key goals include establishing tight cooperation between Satellite Network Operators and Mobile Network Operators, enhancing end-to-end service capabilities, and addressing high-demand use cases including public safety communications.

The expected maturity level for funded projects ranges from low to medium Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), which means that innovative plans for demonstrating technologies in practical scenarios are encouraged. A gender equality plan is also required as part of the proposal.

The evaluation process will take into account the competitiveness of proposals, although specific success rates are not stated. There is an emphasis on the importance of collaboration across various sectors to advance Europe's leadership in 6G technology.

The grant focuses on integrating terrestrial and satellite systems to provide ubiquitous connectivity, requiring multidisciplinary participation from academic, industrial, and non-profit sectors. The expected outcomes will include creating a unified framework where different 3D connected nodes can seamlessly communicate, potentially revolutionizing areas such as healthcare, transportation, and disaster management.

Overall, the initiative is designed to ensure that Europe remains at the forefront of 6G development, fostering collaboration and innovation across a spectrum of connected services and applications.

The EU's Horizon Europe program, under call HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01, includes several topics for Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) aimed at advancing 6G technologies. The call is managed by the Single Basic Service Joint Undertaking (SNS JU). The submission session opened on May 22, 2025, and the deadline for submissions is September 18, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time. The call uses a single-stage submission model. A call-specific application form must be used and is available in the Submission System.

The HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-03-01 topic, titled "6G NTN-TN Unification/Integration," focuses on integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks to provide seamless services, with a budget of 8,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 1 grant.

The expected outcome of projects under this topic is the availability of core technologies, architectures, and protocols that can be used interchangeably for terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. This aims to create a seamless access and network fabric continuum, eliminating the distinction between satellite and terrestrial access and enabling seamless roaming.

The specific targets include:
Architectures and technologies for tight cooperation between Satellite Network Operators (SNOs) and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), creating a seamless Terrestrial Network (TN) Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) communication continuum and supporting various business models.
End-to-end service capabilities through either TN or NTN segments, based on factors like coverage, real-time constraints, bandwidth, and sustainability.
Innovative models for managed multi-tenancy of space segments.
Independent reconfiguration of the NTN part for performance, security, and resilience optimization.
Compatibility with innovative use cases like high-rate Direct to Device, Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR), and other NTN-specific applications.
Adaptability of technologies, protocols, and architectures to non-satellite scenarios like drones or other flying 3D nodes.

The proposed research should address low to medium Technology Readiness Level (TRL) topics and plan for demonstrations of critical technologies and applicability to specific use cases, potentially with partnerships like ESA or using low-cost demonstrators like Cubesats.

The scope of the topic includes:
Management of multiple access networks through a unified Control Plane, optimizing TN-NTN service provision based on traffic parameters like QoS, bandwidth, sustainability, and latency, and related RAN management, also accounting for very demanding use-case scenarios including public safety use-cases (e.g. PPDR) and system relying exclusively on satcom connectivity like aeronautic use cases.
Management capabilities for independent reconfiguration of the NTN part for performance, security and resilience optimisation at system and subsystem level.
Dynamic routing in multi-dimensional networks with selection of optimal paths for traffic, which is a key feature in leveraging the potential of NTN-TN unification and integration including optical links, improving (transport and mobility) protocols, flexible topology and traffic routing across such dynamic topologies with long-propagation link characteristics.
Extension of a reference multi orbit constellation system(s) as evaluation framework for the assessment of routing and mobility schemes including various architectural splits. It should cover robustness of the scheme for disaster situation when TN is not available. The reference system may also address feasibility of the constellation considering spectrum usage from existing systems.
Spectrum issues including i) novel schemes for dynamic spectrum access and sharing in FR3 (7 – 15 GHz possibly extended up to 24 GHz), providing good cost-coverage trade-off; ii) where applicable dynamic reuse of TN frequencies for NTN use where TN spectrum is not assigned or for very demanding scenarios including public safety use-cases.
Multi tenancy and end to end resource slicing capabilities across multiple tenants, covering the space resources and including seamless mobility and handover between various segment, either TN to NTN or across 2 NTN infrastructures.
Adaptability and versatility of the scheme to cover also non satellite 3D connected nodes and early system concepts (to be developed in subsequent phases) to provide GNSS free positioning with a better positioning accuracy/availability.

It is noted that specific satellite technologies like advanced payloads and multi-satellite generated antennas are outside the scope of in-depth R&I, although their characteristics can be considered at the system level. Satellite architectures with different levels of data processing (transparent or regenerative space segments) are within scope. Applicants should clearly identify the areas/priorities they address if they only cover a subset of the topic.

General conditions for participation include admissibility, eligibility of countries, financial and operational capacity, exclusion criteria, and specific conditions related to gender equality plans. The proposal page limit is 70 pages for RIAs submitted under Stream B and C. Eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with additional restrictions limiting participation in Stream B and C to legal entities from Member States, Associated Countries, OECD, and Mercosur countries. Entities controlled by non-eligible countries may participate if they can demonstrate that their participation would not negatively impact the Union's strategic interests. Entities assessed as high-risk suppliers of mobile network communication equipment are not eligible. Legal entities established in Russia, Belarus, or in non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine are also ineligible.

Evaluation and award criteria are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. The evaluation process is detailed in Annex F, with amendments to the ranking procedure considering SME participation and IKOP objectives. Selected projects will be required to cooperate in the SNS Programme through a collaboration agreement. AI/ML training datasets created in Stream B projects must be made available through a common repository.

Applicants can find guidance and support through various resources, including the HE Programme Guide, Model Grant Agreements, SNS R&I Work Programme 2025, HE Main Work Programme 2025, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, and National Contact Points. A brokerage platform and partner search tools are also available to help find collaborators.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call aims to foster research and innovation in 6G network technologies, specifically focusing on the unification and integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. The goal is to develop core technologies, architectures, and protocols that enable seamless communication and roaming between these networks, supporting a variety of business models and use cases, including public safety and aeronautical applications. The call encourages collaboration with entities from Member States, Associated Countries, OECD, and Mercosur countries, while imposing restrictions on participation from entities with ties to non-eligible countries or those deemed high-risk suppliers. The EU is looking to fund projects that will create a unified network that leverages the strengths of both terrestrial and satellite systems, paving the way for advanced 6G services.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types for this opportunity are legal entities established in Member States, Associated Countries, OECD countries, and Mercosur countries. Specific restrictions apply to entities controlled by non-eligible countries or those assessed as high-risk suppliers of mobile network communication equipment. Public bodies, research organizations, and higher education establishments are also eligible, with a requirement for a gender equality plan.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-JU-RIA) under the Horizon Europe program. The Model Grant Agreement is a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG].

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity appears to require or at least strongly encourage a consortium, as evidenced by the partner search announcements and the nature of the research and innovation actions.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility for applicants includes Member States, Associated Countries, OECD countries, and Mercosur countries. Legal entities established in Russia, Belarus, or in non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine are generally ineligible, with limited exceptions on a case-by-case basis.

Target Sector: The target sector is primarily focused on 6G telecommunications, specifically the unification and integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks (NTN-TN). This includes technologies, architectures, and protocols related to satellite communications, radio access network (RAN) management, spectrum management, and network slicing. The topic also touches on public safety and disaster relief communications.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity explicitly mentions Member States, Associated Countries, OECD countries, Mercosur countries, Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project for this opportunity is low to medium Technology Readiness Level (TRL). The call encourages R&I activities and plans for demonstration of critical technologies and applicability to specific use cases.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call, ranging from EUR 8,000,000 to EUR 21,000,000. For example, HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-03-01 has a budget of EUR 8,000,000, while HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-02 has a budget of EUR 21,000,000.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant to support their research and innovation activities.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly stated, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight into the competition level. For instance, a topic with a budget of EUR 8,000,000 may only have one indicative grant, suggesting a highly competitive environment.

Co-funding Requirement: The document does not explicitly state a co-funding requirement.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call, specifically HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-03-01, focuses on research and innovation actions to unify and integrate terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks for 6G telecommunications. The goal is to develop core technologies, architectures, and protocols that enable seamless services across both types of networks, including satellite and drone-based systems. The call targets a wide range of areas, including network management, dynamic routing, spectrum management, multi-tenancy, and adaptability to various 3D connected nodes. Eligible applicants include legal entities from EU Member States, Associated Countries, OECD, and Mercosur countries, with specific restrictions for entities controlled by non-eligible countries or those deemed high-risk suppliers. The funding is provided through grants, and the application process involves a single stage. The call aims to foster collaboration and innovation in the 6G telecommunications sector, with a particular emphasis on integrating satellite and terrestrial networks to provide ubiquitous and seamless connectivity. The call encourages projects with low to medium TRL levels, with plans for demonstrating critical technologies in relevant use cases, potentially in partnership with ESA or through national initiatives. The call also emphasizes the importance of gender equality and the inclusion of SMEs in the proposed projects.