Advanced IoT and Device Technologies

The EU's Horizon Europe program is offering a significant funding opportunity through the HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01 call, which focuses on advancing Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) related to IoT and device technologies, specifically targeting the integration of 6G systems. The call is managed under the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) and is structured around various topics aimed at innovative IoT connectivity scenarios, drawing insights from the Hexa-X-II flagship project.

Eligible applicants include legal entities such as startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, large enterprises, universities, and research institutions established in EU Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries, OECD, and Mercosur countries. Notably, entities from Russia, Belarus, and non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine are explicitly ineligible to participate. The program encourages consortium applications, promoting collaboration among various stakeholders in the technology sector.

The funding is provided in the form of grants, with financial support rates being 100% for non-profits and 90% for for-profit entities. The total budget allocated for the 2025 SNS JU work program is estimated at €128 million, with individual project budgets potentially ranging from €1 million to €15 million, depending on the specific topic within the call.

This call involves a single-stage submission process with a deadline set for September 18, 2025. The expected outcomes from the projects should focus on developing technologies for near-zero energy devices, enabling 6G operating in unlicensed bands, and innovating IoT applications that leverage 6G characteristics for improved performance over 5G systems.

Proposals should align with one of three main areas: technologies for zero-energy devices, communication technologies for 6G unlicensed operations, or IoT applications that enhance service delivery. Applicants must submit proposals up to 70 pages long and adhere to specific evaluation criteria, including excellence, impact, and SME involvement. A gender equality plan is also required for public bodies and research institutions.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call represents a critical opportunity for organizations engaged in IoT and 6G research, emphasizing the need for collaborative R&D to bolster the EU's leadership in digital technology through innovative solutions and strategic partnerships. The initiative aims to enhance the EU's technological autonomy while ensuring a balanced portfolio of projects that meet defined priorities in the field of smart networks and services.

The EU's Horizon Europe program, under call HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01, is offering funding for Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) aimed at advancing IoT and device technologies, specifically targeting 6G integration. The call, managed by the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, focuses on technologies and architectures applicable to innovative IoT connectivity scenarios, drawing from the Use Case analysis of the Hexa-X-II flagship project.

The call has a single-stage submission process, with the opening date on May 22, 2025, and a deadline of September 18, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes of the projects should address:

Characterization and performance studies of technologies enabling close to zero-energy devices, particularly for long-term, unattended IoT operations.
Enabling technologies and architectures for 6G operation in unlicensed bands (6G-U) for IoT, with relevant use-case scenarios like industrial deployments.
Design of innovative IoT connected devices and operation modes that enable new services and applications, demonstrating performance improvements over 5G implementations.

The scope of the proposals should address one of the following three areas:

Sensing and connectivity technologies and architectures for close to zero-energy devices, including battery-less NTN IoT terminals.
Communication technologies and architectures enabling 6G unlicensed operations for IoT, focusing on industrial, healthcare, and campus network environments.
IoT applications that leverage 6G characteristics for enhanced performance compared to 5G, including optimization of diverse applications and design of novel connected IoT devices.

The call includes specific conditions and restrictions:

The proposal page limit is 70 pages for RIAs submitted under Stream B and C.
Participation is limited to legal entities established in Member States, Associated Countries, OECD, and Mercosur countries for Stream B and Stream C topics.
Entities controlled by non-eligible countries may participate if they can demonstrate that their participation would not negatively impact the Union’s strategic interests, assets, autonomy, or security.
Entities assessed as high-risk suppliers of mobile network communication equipment are not eligible.
Legal entities established in Russia, Belarus, or non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine are not eligible.
A gender equality plan is required for public bodies, research organizations, and higher education establishments.
AI/ML training data sets created in Stream B projects must be made available through a common repository.

The evaluation process will consider the contribution to SME objectives and IKOP objectives. The ranking of proposals will take into account the need to cover all three identified priorities to ensure a balanced portfolio. Participants of selected projects will be requested to cooperate in the SNS Programme for topics of common interests by signing a written collaboration agreement.

The following topics are open for submission:

HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-01-01: Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of 15,000,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 5 grants.
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-01-02: Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of 9,000,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 3 grants.
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-02: Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of 21,000,000 EUR, aiming for approximately 3 grants.
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-03-01: Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of 8,000,000 EUR, aiming for 1 grant.
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-03-02: Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of 8,000,000 EUR, aiming for 1 grant.
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-04-01: Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of 8,000,000 EUR, aiming for 1 grant.
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-04-02: Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of 8,000,000 EUR, aiming for 1 grant.
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-05: Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR, aiming for 1 grant.
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-C-01: Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of 15,000,000 EUR, aiming for 1 grant.

Applicants are encouraged to use the SNS Brokerage Platform for partner searches and to consult the provided guidance documents, including the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Model Grant Agreements, and the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual. A call-specific application form must be used and will be available in the Submission System.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call seeks to foster research and innovation in IoT and device technologies, particularly in the context of 6G, with a focus on energy efficiency, unlicensed spectrum operation, and novel applications. It aims to strengthen the EU's strategic autonomy and technological leadership in the IoT domain while promoting collaboration and open science. The call is structured to ensure a balanced portfolio of projects across key priority areas, with specific attention to the involvement of SMEs and adherence to ethical and security guidelines.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types for this opportunity include legal entities such as startups, SMEs, large enterprises, universities, research institutes, and other organizations. The text specifies that proposals are sought from legal entities established in Member States, Associated Countries, OECD, and Mercosur countries. The program also aims to encourage SME participation.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is a grant, specifically a HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Action (RIA) under the Horizon Europe program. The funding is provided as a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity appears to favor consortia, as it encourages cooperation among participants and mentions the possibility of partner searches. However, the text does not explicitly state whether a single applicant is disallowed.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility for applicants includes entities established in EU Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries, OECD countries, and Mercosur countries. Legal entities established in Russia, Belarus, or in non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine are explicitly ineligible to participate.

Target Sector: The program targets the ICT sector, specifically advanced IoT and device technologies, 6G, and related areas. The focus is on research and innovation actions related to sensing and connectivity technologies, communication architectures, and IoT applications.

Mentioned Countries: The mentioned countries include EU Member States, Associated Countries, OECD countries, and Mercosur countries. Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine (specifically non-government-controlled territories) are mentioned as ineligible.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project for this opportunity is research and innovation actions (RIA). This suggests that the projects should be in the research, development, or validation stages, rather than commercialization or scale-up.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call. The budget overview provides the following ranges:
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-01-01: EUR 15,000,000 (around EUR 3,000,000 per grant, 5 grants)
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-01-02: EUR 9,000,000 (around EUR 3,000,000 per grant, 3 grants)
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-02: EUR 21,000,000 (around EUR 7,000,000 per grant, 3 grants)
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-03-01: EUR 8,000,000 (around EUR 8,000,000 per grant, 1 grant)
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-03-02: EUR 8,000,000 (around EUR 8,000,000 per grant, 1 grant)
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-04-01: EUR 8,000,000 (around EUR 8,000,000 per grant, 1 grant)
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-04-02: EUR 8,000,000 (around EUR 8,000,000 per grant, 1 grant)
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-05: EUR 12,000,000 (around EUR 12,000,000 per grant, 1 grant)
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-C-01: EUR 15,000,000 (around EUR 15,000,000 per grant, 1 grant)

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

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant to support their research and innovation actions.

Application Stages: The application process consists of a single stage, meaning applicants submit a full proposal directly.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight into the potential competition level.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary:
This Horizon Europe call, specifically HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01, focuses on "Advanced IoT and Device Technologies" and aims to foster research and innovation in areas related to 6G and IoT. The call is structured around several topics within Streams B and C, each with a specific budget and number of grants. The main goal is to address technologies and architectures applicable for innovative IoT connectivity scenarios, particularly those described by the Hexa-X-II flagship project.

The call encourages proposals that address one of three main areas: sensing and connectivity technologies for zero-energy devices; communication technologies and architectures enabling 6G unlicensed operations for IoT; and IoT applications that can benefit from 6G characteristics. The call aims to ensure a balanced portfolio by awarding grants to highly ranked projects within each of these three areas, provided they meet all thresholds and are within the available budget.

Eligible applicants include legal entities from EU Member States, Associated Countries, OECD countries, and Mercosur countries, with specific restrictions for entities from Russia, Belarus, and non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine, as well as entities deemed high-risk suppliers of mobile network communication equipment. The call emphasizes the importance of gender equality plans and the gender dimension in research and innovation content.

The application process involves a single-stage submission, with a proposal page limit of 70 pages for RIAs under Streams B and C. The evaluation process considers factors such as coverage, excellence, impact, and SME participation. Selected projects will be required to cooperate in the SNS Programme and make AI/ML training data sets available through a common repository.

Overall, this call represents a significant opportunity for organizations involved in IoT and 6G research to secure funding for projects that align with the EU's strategic goals in digital technology and innovation.