Microelectronic – Front-End Module (FEM)

HORIZON-JU is a Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action funding a system-level design of a 6G Microelectronic Front-End Module (FEM) prioritising FR3 (7–15 GHz) with an indicative budget of €14,000,000 and a submission deadline of 3 September 2026 at 17:00 CET. Eligible legal entities are established in EU Member States, Associated Countries, OECD and Mercosur countries with explicit exclusions and security-related participation restrictions; at least half of the project budget must be implemented by SNS JU members and affiliated entities. Proposals must deliver TRL 4–5 proofs of concept for critical subsystems, include technology trade-offs across heterogeneous microelectronics, demonstrate pathways to Chips JU pilot lines for downstream industrialisation, and comply with mandatory SNS JU compliance tables. Funding rates follow Horizon rules (100% for non-profits, 90% for for-profits) and AI/ML training datasets created must be deposited in the common SNS repository in line with Open Science provisions.

What the call funds

System-level RIA to design and validate a 6G Front-End Module (FEM) for the FR3 band (7–15 GHz, with possible extensions) including digital front-end, radio front-end, antenna elements and key subsystems (DPD, beam steering, ADC/DAC, beamformers, self-interference cancellation for SBFD, ISAC support), analysis of microelectronics technology mixes, packaging/SoP strategies and PoCs at TRL4–5. Projects must show pathways to downstream industrialisation and use of Chips JU pilot lines.

Who can apply

Consortia led by European industrial leaders in telecom and microelectronics, supported by academics and RTOs. Participation is restricted to entities established in EU Member States, Horizon-associated countries, OECD and Mercosur countries, except where specific topics limit participation further (see eligibility). Entities directly or indirectly controlled by non-eligible countries may be excluded unless national guarantees accepted by the EC are provided. Entities assessed as high-risk suppliers of mobile network equipment are ineligible.

Action type and TRL:Type of action Research and Innovation Action (RIA). Expected to deliver system design and PoCs at TRL4–5 and progress key subsystems toward TRL6–7 depending on scope.

1. 1Deadline: 3 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time (single-stage).
2. 2Call budget: around €14 000 000 (total for this topic).
3. 3Indicative EU contribution per project: around €14 million (consortia may request different amounts).
4. 4Funding rate: 100% for non-profit organisations; 90% for for-profit organisations.
5. 5Maximum proposal length: RIA Stream B proposals 70 pages (Part B) — follow General Annex A limits.

Proposals must include a clear business/exploitation plan and show strong links to Chips JU pilot lines and design platforms (EDA/PDK). Projects are expected to demonstrate contributions to European supply-chain sovereignty, security (no firmware backdoors) and to the EU Apply AI strategy where AI/ML is used for FEM functionality or spectrum management ¹.

Eligibility notes:proposals must meet SNS-specific eligibility requirements (IKOP declarations, at least half the budget implemented by the SNS JU member other than the Union and affiliated entities for some topics, see call conditions). SME participation and contribution to IKOP are evaluation aspects; aim to include SMEs where appropriate. Apply and submit via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Footnotes

1. 1See topic description on the Funding & Tenders Portal for full scope, eligibility, model grant agreement and related documents HORIZON-JU-SNS-2026-FEM topic.

Call & Topic Summary

Call identifier and administrative data

Call identifier:HORIZON-JU. Programme: Horizon Europe (HORIZON). Type of action: HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-JU-RIA). Type of MGA: Horizon Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG]. Single-stage. Planned opening 26 May 2026. Submission deadline 03 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time. Indicative topic budget: around €14 000 000. Estimated number of grants: 1. This topic is published by the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) and is tightly linked to the Chips JU activities for downstream pilot-line use and industrialisation.

Topic focus:Design and system-level development of a 6G Front-End Module (FEM) covering FR3 (7–15 GHz as per WRC-27 agenda item) with optional extension up to 24 GHz for some regional implementations; targets system-level design work, technology trade-offs, PoCs of critical subsystems at TRL 4–5 and a clear pathway to Chips JU pilot lines and downstream industrialisation. The work is expected to be strongly industry-led, combining telecom system suppliers and microelectronics suppliers, with academic and RTO support ¹.

Expected outcomes and scope (technical details)

Expected outcomes and technical scope are extensive and specify system-level capabilities, technology choices, spectrum and regulatory considerations, packaging, integration and AI/ML-enabled control. The project is to produce a comprehensive FEM design (Digital Front End and Radio Front End) supporting at least 200 MHz channels and compatible with 400 MHz channels, enabling massive MIMO, much higher RF processing compared to 5G FR1, SBFD (Sub Band Full Duplex) at 3GPP Rel.19 levels, ISAC (Integrated Sensing and Communications), secure JCAS, strong spectrum sharing capability with incumbents (satellite and military particularly), tuning/adaptation for regional regulatory variants, and pathways for transfer to Chips JU pilot lines.

1. 1Frequency coverage requirements: FR3 primary target (7–15 GHz) with potential extension to upper sub-bands and consideration for upper 6 GHz (6.425–7.125 GHz).
2. 2Functional blocks to specify and characterise: power amplifiers, LNAs, filters, multiplexers, ADC/DAC stages, beamformers, antenna arrays, DPD, beam steering, channel selection/adaptation and self-interference cancellation functions for SBFD.
3. 3Performance targets: support massive antenna fan-out beyond state-of-the-art, order-of-magnitude increase in RF processing versus 5G FR1, enable 5G cell-site reuse, compatibility with ITU IMT 2030 requirements (ITU-R M.2160-0) and up to 50% energy savings for comparable bitrates relative to 5G.
4. 4Integration and technologies: heterogeneous microelectronics integration (CMOS, FDSOI, RF SOI, GaN-on-SiC, GaN-on-Si, InP, SiGe BiCMOS, SiGe bipolar, BCD, LDMOS), optical links if compatible, packaging constraints, and smart multi-technology SoC/SiP approaches.
5. 5AI/ML usage: support for AI/ML for channel prediction, CSI analysis, interference mitigation, spectrum usage optimisation and power/energy optimisation; options for embedding AI functions in the FEM or exposing open interfaces for external AI-driven management (e.g., RIC-like).
6. 6Industrialisation and sovereignty: comparative analysis of technologies with attention to European industrial capabilities, selection of candidate pilot-lines from Chips JU, EDA/PDK tool requirements and security (absence of firmware backdoors).
7. 7POC scope: system aspects and PoCs at TRL 4–5 for critical subsystems; full chip-level FEM prototype integration is out of scope for this call and expected instead under the Chips JU activities.

Eligibility, participation and legal conditions

Primary legal and eligibility context is Horizon Europe / SNS JU model grant agreement and the call-specific Topic Conditions. The topic is subject to specific restrictions on participation aiming to protect strategic interests. Applicants must follow the General Annexes and the SNS-specific conditions (page limits, IKOP and 6G-IA related minimum implementation shares). Proposers must complete mandatory compliance tables in Part B of the application; failure to comply at submission will render a proposal ineligible.

Restrictions on participation (strategic/ownership control):For this topic participation is limited to legal entities established in EU Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries, OECD and Mercosur countries (depending on the specific SNS WP clauses). Entities established in Russia, Belarus or non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine are not eligible. Entities established in eligible countries but directly or indirectly controlled by non-eligible country entities may be prevented from participating unless they provide guarantees positively assessed by their eligible country of establishment. Entities assessed as high-risk suppliers of mobile network equipment (per EU rules for protection of communications networks) and any entities they own or control are not eligible to participate as beneficiaries, affiliated entities or associated partners. Subcontractors and third parties giving in-kind contributions are also subject to these eligibility checks ¹.

1. 1At least half of the project budget must be implemented by the SNS JU member (other than the Union) and their constituent or affiliated entities for specified SNS topics including this FEM topic.
2. 2Entities assessed as high-risk suppliers of mobile network equipment (and their owned/controlled entities) are ineligible to participate or to submit guarantees.
3. 3Entities established in Russia, Belarus or non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine are not eligible, and entities owned >50% by Russian legal persons may be excluded.

Structured extraction: program classification and metadata

Below are the specific structured answers derived from the call text and Annexes. Each answer is detailed and derives directly from the published topic description, SNS JU Work Programme notes and the Horizon Europe model grant conditions linked to the topic ¹.

Eligible Applicant Types:The topic accepts consortia of industrial and research organisations. Eligible applicant types explicitly or implicitly supported by the topic description and Horizon Europe rules include: large enterprises (telecom system suppliers, radio OEMs, microelectronics suppliers), SMEs (component and sub-system suppliers, software/AI SMEs), universities, research organisations and RTOs, non-profits, public bodies and national labs. Participation of international organisations is possible where consistent with General Annex B and specific restrictions. Subcontractors and third parties giving in-kind contributions may participate but are subject to the same ownership/eligibility checks. Individuals do not apply directly; funding is for legal entities in consortia.

Funding Type:Primary financial mechanism: grant (Horizon/JU Research and Innovation Action — budget-based grant under the Horizon Action Grant model). The call is not a loan, equity or procurement; it is budget-based grant funding.

Consortium Requirement:Consortium required: The topic expects a multi-partner consortium combining European industrial leaders in telecom systems and microelectronics together with academics and RTOs. The description demands strong and lasting cooperation between lead suppliers of telecom systems and lead suppliers of microelectronics, implying a consortium rather than a single beneficiary. At least half of the project budget must be implemented by the SNS JU member (other than the Union) and their constituent or affiliated entities for applicable streams.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):Geographic eligibility: legal entities established in EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries are eligible. For this topic additional restrictions apply: participation is limited to entities established in Member States, Associated Countries, OECD and Mercosur countries (per SNS WP exceptions) and further constraints (ownership control assessments and guarantees) for entities controlled by non-eligible countries. Entities in Russia, Belarus or non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine are excluded. Entities assessed as high-risk suppliers (security of communications) are ineligible ¹.

Target Sector:Primary target sectors: telecommunications (6G radio systems), microelectronics (RF and power technologies), semiconductor packaging, antenna systems, AI/ML for networks, space (spectrum sharing with satellite incumbents), defense (military spectrum sharing relevance) and verticals needing high uplink capacity and sensing (e.g., industrial sensing, autonomous systems).

Mentioned Countries:Explicit country mentions and regions in the topic: EU Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries, OECD, Mercosur. Explicit exclusion: Russia, Belarus, non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine. The topic also refers to international/regional variations and ITU WRC outcomes (WRC-27 FR3 agenda).

Project Stage:Expected project maturity: Primarily system-level design, analysis and PoCs at TRL 4–5 for selected critical integrated subsystems; overall work covers system design and clear pathway to TRL >5 via Chips JU pilot lines and downstream industrialisation. Not intended to deliver full chip-level FEM integration in this call.

Funding Amount:Indicative total topic budget: around €14 000 000. The SNS JU estimates an EU contribution for a single project of around €14 million for this topic, though proposals requesting different amounts may be submitted.

Application Type:Submission model: single-stage open call (single deadline); proposals submitted via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal using the call-specific application form. Planned opening date 26 May 2026; deadline 03 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time.

Nature of Support:Beneficiaries will receive monetary grant funding (budget-based) and non-monetary services (access to SNS and Chips JU networks, pilot-line coordination, community collaboration agreements, access to repositories for AI/ML training data and possibly experimental platform linkages).

Application Stages:Single-stage submission and evaluation (one stage). Evaluation follows Horizon Europe / SNS JU procedures (excellence, impact, implementation criteria with stream-specific sub-criteria such as IKOP and SME participation).

Success Rates:No explicit success rate is provided in the call text. The number of grants is indicative (around 1 for this FEM topic) and the topic budget is around €14 million. Competition is expected to be high given strategic scope and single-award expectation.

Co-funding Requirement:Funding rate: per Horizon rules for RIA under SNS JU: 100% for non-profit organisations and 90% for profit-making entities, unless other conditions apply. The call requires in-kind contributions to operational activities (IKOP) from SNS JU members and affiliated entities: at least half of the budget must be implemented by the SNS JU member (other than the Union) and their constituent or affiliated entities for this topic. Proposals must document IKOP commitments in the Part B mandatory table. Financial co-funding is not explicitly required beyond the usual eligible costs and the consortium’s own contributions; however substantial industrial participation and IKOP are expected.

Application forms and templates

Submission uses the Funding & Tenders Portal call-specific application form (call-specific Part A & Part B). The SNS call uses Horizon templates adapted for the SNS JU. Applicants must complete Part B technical description (max 70 pages for RIAs under Stream B — derogation from general page limits). There is a mandatory IKOP compliance table in the technical description and additional mandatory compliance tables for eligibility rules. The Portal provides the call-specific templates, evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA).

1. 1Application parts: Part A (administrative forms) and Part B (Technical description). Part B limit: 70 pages for Stream B RIAs.
2. 2Mandatory tables: IKOP declaration table, compliance table, SME participation breakdown, and other topic-specific templates available in the Submission System.
3. 3Evaluation forms: standard HE RIA/IA evaluation template adapted with SNS-specific sub-criteria (IKOP, SME participation).
4. 4Legal instruments: HORIZON Action Grant (HORIZON-AG) model, SNS-specific collaboration agreement requirement for winners, open science and AI training data repository requirements.

Evaluation, award and project management

Evaluation follows Horizon Europe General Annex D award criteria (Excellence, Impact and Implementation) with SNS-specific complements: addition of IKOP and SME contribution sub-criteria in the Impact section, and tie-breaker rules that also consider SME participation and IKOP levels. Evaluations use the Portal online evaluation and follow single-stage evaluation steps; targeted timelines follow General Annex F. Selected beneficiaries will sign the Horizon Action Grant (HORIZON-AG) MGA; SNS JU specific provisions require winners to sign a written collaboration agreement with the SNS JU Programme for topics of mutual interest and to deposit AI/ML training datasets in a common repository for reuse by SNS projects.

Evaluation highlights:Scoring thresholds and sub-criteria: standard Horizon scoring applies; Stream B RIAs receive a 70-page Part B allowance. The impact criterion includes: contribution to SME objective (as relevant) and contribution to IKOP objectives. If two RIA proposals are equally ranked, SME participation and then IKOP are used to break ties; the procedure continues as per General Annex F. Proposals must include mandatory compliance tables; failure makes the proposal ineligible.

Technical and industrial requirements (detailed list)

1. 1Design covers FR3 (7–15 GHz) with tuning for regional variants and potential extension to 24 GHz; upper 6 GHz (6.425–7.125 GHz) must be considered where relevant.
2. 2Support for massive MIMO with large antenna fan-out and compensation techniques for increased path loss compared to FR1.
3. 3Support radio functions for both cellular (FR1-like) and FWA (FR2-like) scenarios within the same FEM architecture.
4. 4Enable at least an order-of-magnitude increase in RF processing relative to 5G FR1 and high-throughput fronthaul compatible with ITU IMT2030 targets, with energy efficiency targets (e.g., ~50% transmission energy savings for comparable bitrates).
5. 5SBFD capability at or above 3GPP Rel.19 specifications with wideband self-interference cancellation and ISAC (joint communication and sensing) support including secure JCAS functions and maximisation of common Tx/Rx blocks.
6. 6Modular specification of constituent elements: PAs, LNAs, filters, multiplexers/multipliers, ADC/DAC stages, beamformers, antenna arrays, digital functions (DPD, beam steering, channel adaptation) and supporting software interfaces.
7. 7Detailed trade-off analysis across microelectronics technologies (CMOS, FDSOI, RF CMOS, RF SOI, FD-SOI, GaN-on-SiC, GaN-on-Si, InP, InP-on-Si, SiGe BiCMOS, SiGe bipolar, BCD, LDMOS), packaging feasibility, hybrid integration and optical technologies where applicable.
8. 8Demonstrate smart integration feasibility of heterogeneous technologies with low RF/digital/power loss characteristics and packaging approaches that are viable for European pilot lines (Chips JU).
9. 9Clear security requirements: guarantee absence of backdoors, ensure firmware and IP governance with European control and ownership provisions.
10. 10AI/ML considerations: define how AI/ML is adopted (embedded or external via open interface), identify datasets, interfaces, feasibility and energy/performance trade-offs; ensure contributions to Apply AI policies and sharing of AI training datasets through the SNS common repository.

Project composition, consortium and partner roles

The proposal must be backed by a very solid combination of European industrial leaders in radio communications and microelectronics with proven track records to industrialise and market the solution, and with adequate academic and RTO support for toolchain, modelling, EDA/PDK needs and linkages to pilot lines. It should justify the chosen technology mix and show how the consortium will coordinate with the Chips JU FEM topic (WP2026). Proposers should explicitly identify which parts of the FEM system they address if not covering the full scope.

1. 1Coordinator: typically an entity capable of system-level leadership (telecom vendor or industrial lead) and of coordinating cross-domain integration.
2. 2Key industry beneficiaries: telecom system suppliers, microelectronics suppliers (RF, power, packaging), antenna suppliers, EDA/PDK tool providers, pilot-line integrators.
3. 3Academia/RTOs: modelling, RF characterization, packaging research, security and standardisation support.
4. 4Affiliated entities and subcontractors: allowed but subject to ownership/control and high-risk supplier checks; must be included in compliance tables.

Standards, regulation and pilot-line coordination

Proposals must document tight links with Chips JU WP26 projects and pilot lines:identify required pilot-lines (e.g., FAMES, NanoIC, other Chips JU pilot lines), EDA/PDK needs, packaging pilot resources and roadmap for downstream industrialisation. Proposals should address spectrum sharing, regulatory alignment, and 3GPP/ITU standardisation influence for FR3/upper 6 GHz, SBFD and ISAC, and explain coordination mechanisms with the Chips JU and SNS JU programme-level collaboration agreement.

IP, security and data management

Ownership of results remains with beneficiaries under the MGA; however the call requires strong guarantees on IP ownership, absence of backdoors and secure firmware. Proposals must address access rights, exploitation, dissemination and how IP will be protected. AI/ML training datasets created under SNS Stream B must be deposited in the SNS common repository and adhere to open science provisions while respecting security and privacy constraints. JRC may be involved for SSbD and tooling where relevant.

Security & eligibility checks:Entities assessed as high-risk suppliers of mobile network communication equipment (per EU restriction measures) are not eligible. Participation from entities with foreign control requires ex-ante ownership-control assessment and national guarantees to be accepted by the European Commission. Subcontractors are also subject to these checks. The granting authority may perform ex-ante assessments and request further guarantees where appropriate ¹.

How to approach a proposal (practical guidance)

Practical pointers distilled from the call:build a strong European industrial consortium combining telecom and microelectronics leads; demonstrate a clear systems-to-pilot-lines pathway; include TRL-based PoCs at subsystem level (TRL 4–5) with measurable KPIs; provide comprehensive technology trade-off analysis and a credible industrialisation/exploitation plan including links to specific Chips JU pilot lines; allocate resources for AI/ML datasets and deposit/curation in the SNS repository; satisfy IKOP and SNS JU-specific eligibility tables; comply with ownership-control and security restrictions; include a business case and exploitation strategy per the Destination guidance; and propose strong dissemination and standardisation plans.

1. 1Use the call-specific application form on the Funding & Tenders Portal.
2. 2Complete mandatory IKOP and compliance tables in Part B.
3. 3Explain the Chips JU interlinkage and name candidate pilot-lines for downstream transfer.
4. 4Include TRL 4–5 PoCs for selected subsystems and a plan to reach higher TRLs via Chips JU.
5. 5Provide AI dataset governance and agree to deposit AI training sets in SNS common repository.
6. 6Provide a clear security and IP ownership plan; document absence of backdoors.
7. 7Demonstrate SME participation and explain how the project furthers the SNS JU and EU sovereignty objectives.

Where to apply and where to get support

Proposals must be submitted through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Use the call-specific application form available in the Submission System. Applicants should consult the SNS R&I Work Programme 2026, the General Annexes to Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026–2027, the HE Programme Guide, the model grant agreement (MGA) and the SNS JU FAQ page. National Contact Points and Enterprise Europe Network can provide national support. The Submission System includes templates for Part A/Part B and evaluation forms. The SNS JU maintains a topic Q&A list and partner search announcements on the Portal and the SNS website ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1Primary source documents include the SNS R&I Work Programme 2026 topic description and topic conditions, the EU Funding & Tenders Portal topic page for HORIZON-JU, and the Horizon Europe General Annexes, which together define eligibility, evaluation and grant conditions, as well as SNS JU FAQs and Chips JU Work Programme references. See the SNS topic page on the Funding & Tenders Portal and SNS JU Work Programme annexes for full source text.

Opportunity Overview

The Microelectronic Front-End Module (FEM) call represents a strategic European investment in 6G radio access technology, specifically targeting the development of comprehensive front-end module designs for next-generation wireless communications. This Research and Innovation Action (RIA) is part of the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) 2026 Work Programme and addresses critical gaps in European technological sovereignty within the microelectronics and telecommunications sectors.

Call Identification and Timeline

Call Details:Call identifier: HORIZON-JU. Opening date: 26 May 2026. Submission deadline: 3 September 2026 at 17:00 CET. This is a single-stage call with no resubmission opportunities.

Funding Amount and Budget

Total Available Funding:€14,000,000 in total EU funding is allocated for this call. The funding is expected to support approximately one grant award, though the call conditions allow for flexibility in the number of grants based on proposal quality and evaluation outcomes.

Eligibility and Participant Requirements

Geographic Eligibility

Participation is restricted to legal entities established in EU Member States, Associated Countries, OECD countries, and Mercosur countries. This restriction reflects the strategic importance of protecting European technological sovereignty and avoiding dependency on non-eligible countries. Entities established in eligible countries but controlled by non-eligible countries may participate only if they can demonstrate through guarantees approved by their country of establishment that their participation would not negatively impact EU 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 explicitly excluded from participation in any capacity.

Consortium Composition Requirements

At least half of the project budget must be implemented by SNS JU members (other than the Union) and their constituent or affiliated entities. This requirement ensures meaningful participation from industry partners and reflects the public-private partnership nature of the SNS JU. Proposals must include a mandatory table of compliance demonstrating how this requirement is met. Proposals failing to fulfill this condition at submission will be considered ineligible and will not be evaluated.

Organizational Requirements

The work must be backed by a very solid combination of European industrial leaders in radio communication and microelectronic domains with demonstrated track record and capabilities to industrialize and market solutions in Europe and globally. Adequate support from relevant academics and Research and Technology Organizations (RTOs) is required, particularly regarding linkages to pilot lines. The consortium should consider existing Front-End Module initiatives in Member States, ensuring compatibility with wider industrial exposure in an EU collaborative environment.

Project Scope and Technical Objectives

Primary Technical Focus

The call targets the design of a comprehensive Front-End Module covering the FR3 frequency range (7 to 15 GHz) as defined by WRC 27, with possible extension up to 24 GHz for regional implementations. The design must address the upper part of the 6 GHz band (6.425-7.125 GHz) potentially usable for mobile services. The FEM design should include characterization and specification of constituent elements such as power amplifiers, low-noise blocks, filters, multiplexers/multipliers, ADC and DAC stages, beamformers, and antenna arrays.

Key Design Requirements

• Design of a complete FEM including Digital Front End, Radio Front End, antenna elements with conversion stages capable of handling at least 200 MHz channels and compatible with 400 MHz channels
• Enable high-throughput/capacity fronthaul with performance capabilities close to ITU 2030 Framework specifications while enabling 50 percent energy savings compared to 5G systems
• Support massive MIMO implementation with compensation for increased path loss compared to 5G FR1 implementations
• Enable at least an order-of-magnitude increase in RF processing compared to 5G FR1 implementations
• Enable 5G cell site reuse and minimize deployment complexity on top of existing 5G sites
• Support both cellular (FR1-like) and Fixed Wireless Access (FR2-like) use case scenarios
• Enable concurrent and efficient implementation of Sub Band Full Duplex (SBFD) and Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) operations
• Address spectrum sharing capabilities with incumbent services including satellite and military applications
• Incorporate AI/ML applications for network management efficiency and radio system performance optimization

Technology and Integration Aspects

The proposal must include analysis and trade-off of best technologies and their mix, considering various microelectronics technologies including computing technologies (CMOS, FDSOI), RF technologies (RF CMOS, RF SOI, FD-SOI, GaN-on-SiC, GaN-on-Si, InP, InP on Si, SiGeBiCMOS, SiGebipolar), and power generation technologies (GaN-on-SiC, GaN-on-Si, BCD, LDMOS). The selected constituent technologies must demonstrate smart integration feasibility of heterogeneous technologies and modules with low loss characteristics at RF, digital, and power levels, with related packaging considerations. Optical technologies may be in scope if compatible with efficient FEM design and implementation.

Linkages with Chips JU

The activity must consider linkages with the FEM topic under the Chips JU Work Programme 2026. The proposal workplan must address desired interfaces between this action at the system level and expected Chips JU actions focusing on specific design and technologies of elementary FEM components and larger scale integration. Particular attention must be paid to identification of downstream high-level node integration for transfer to Pilot Lines, with a plan for development and transfer as a function of eventual technological choice and Pilot Line readiness. The design tools offered by the Chips JU design platform should preferably be considered.

Scope Limitations

The work is expected to cover mainly system aspects of a 6G FEM with some Proofs of Concept (PoCs) at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4/5 for specific integrated and critical subsystems. The Chips JU work targets detailed design and technology choices of FEM constituents. Full integration at chip level of a FEM prototype is not in scope for this call. The work should contribute to sovereignty of the European supply chain in microelectronics for telecom and networked services platforms, targeting control of FEM design, implementation and packaging with European solutions up to prototyping level, guaranteeing absence of backdoor implementation through firmware and full security of the final solution.

Funding Rate and Financial Terms

Funding Rate:100 percent reimbursement of eligible costs for non-profit organizations. 90 percent funding rate for profit-making organizations. Contributions are not subject to any funding rate restrictions.

Grant Type:HORIZON-JU-RIA (Research and Innovation Action) with budget-based grant modality. This is an action grant intended to help achieve EU policy objectives in advanced wireless communications technology.

Proposal Requirements and Conditions

Proposal Format

The proposal page limit for full RIA proposals submitted under Stream B is 70 pages. A call-specific application form will be used and will be available in the submission system. Applicants must use the standard application form templates for Horizon Europe RIA/IA actions, with necessary adaptations for this specific call.

Mandatory Compliance Table

Applicants will be invited to fill a mandatory table of compliance at proposal stage in the Application Form Technical Description (Part B). This table must demonstrate how the proposal meets all required conditions, including the requirement that at least half of the budget is implemented by SNS JU members and their affiliated entities. Proposals that do not fulfill required conditions, including the mandatory table of compliance, at the time of proposal submission will be considered ineligible and therefore will not be evaluated.

Gender Equality and Research Dimension

Provision of a gender equality plan is required for public bodies, research organizations, and higher education establishments (including private research organizations and higher education establishments). Additional gender issues related to 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.

Evaluation and Award Criteria

Evaluation Framework

Proposals will be evaluated using General Annex D of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027 General Annexes, with specific complements for RIAs under Stream B. The award criteria table is complemented with introduction in the impact section of a sub-criterion assessing the proposal contribution to the overall SME objective as appropriate, and introduction of a sub-criterion assessing the proposal contribution to IKOP (Innovation and Knowledge Operational Programme) objectives.

Ranking and Tie-Breaking Procedures

When two RIA proposals are equally ranked and cannot be separated using first the coverage criterion, second the excellence criterion, and third the generic Impact criterion, the level of SME participation will be taken as the next criterion to sort out ties. If still inconclusive, the level of IKOP will be considered as appropriate. If still inconclusive, the procedure outlined in General Annex F will be resumed from step 3 onwards.

Submission and Evaluation Timeline

Key Dates:Call opens: 26 May 2026. Submission deadline: 3 September 2026 at 17:00 CET. An Info Day on the SNS sixth call took place in Q1 2026. The submission system will be opened on the date stated in the topic header.

Grant Agreement and Implementation Terms

Grant Agreement Type

The grant will be managed as a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based agreement. The Model Grant Agreement (MGA) used will be the HE Unit MGA for multi-beneficiary or mono-beneficiary grants, as applicable. Participants of selected projects will be requested to cooperate in the SNS JU Programme for topics of common interests by signing a written collaboration agreement referred to in the specific provisions of the Model Grant Agreement.

Open Science and Data Requirements

Further to Open Science provisions set out in General Annex G of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, in SNS topics under Streams B, AI/ML training data sets which will be created and used in the context of selected projects have to be made available through a common repository that will be openly accessed and may be used by other SNS projects over the programme lifecycle.

Eligible Countries and Restrictions

General Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027 applies mutatis mutandis to the SNS call 2026, with specific exceptions and amendments regarding restrictions on participation in accordance with Article 22(5) of the Horizon Europe Regulation. Restrictions for protection of European communication networks apply, and entities assessed as high-risk suppliers of mobile network communication equipment are not eligible to participate as beneficiaries, affiliated entities, or associated partners.

Strategic Context and Policy Alignment

This funding opportunity is positioned within the broader European strategy for digital sovereignty and competitiveness in 6G technologies. The SNS JU R&I Work Programme 2026 acts as a bridge between previous work programmes and the final SNS Work Programme in 2027, facilitating smooth transition from phase two to phase three of the SNS JU Programme. The call directly supports research and innovation priorities outlined in the Horizon Europe strategic plan for 2025-2027, with focus on Smart Networks and Services. Actions are expected to contribute to three key EU strategic orientations: the green transition, the digital transition, and a more resilient, competitive, inclusive and democratic Europe.

The work programme emphasizes technological sovereignty, reliable and resilient supply chains, and European competitiveness in 6G. It aligns with the EU Apply AI Strategy and supports the development of AI-native 6G systems. The Front-End Module topic specifically addresses the need for European leadership in microelectronics for telecommunications, leveraging synergies with the Chips Joint Undertaking and its pilot lines for downstream integration and pre-industrialization.

Support and Guidance Resources

Applicants should consult the Horizon Europe Programme Guide for detailed guidance on the structure, budget, and political priorities of Horizon Europe. The Funding and Tenders Portal FAQ provides answers to frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation, and grant management. National Contact Points (NCPs) provide guidance, practical information, and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe. The SNS JU FAQ addresses most frequently asked questions on the JU SNS call. The European IPR Helpdesk assists on intellectual property issues. The CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk advise on how to tackle standardization in project proposals. The Enterprise Europe Network provides advice to businesses with special focus on SMEs, including guidance on EU research funding.

Key Applicant Considerations

Applicants should note that this is a highly specialized call requiring strong industrial and academic partnerships with demonstrated expertise in radio communications and microelectronics. The mandatory requirement that at least half the budget be implemented by SNS JU members means applicants must secure participation from industry partners who are members of the SNS JU. The strategic focus on European sovereignty and the restrictions on participation from non-eligible countries reflect the sensitive nature of telecommunications technology. Proposals must clearly identify which areas and priorities they address, as the scope is comprehensive and applicants may choose to focus on subsets. The linkage with Chips JU work is critical and must be clearly articulated in the proposal workplan. The call emphasizes practical outcomes including proofs of concept and clear pathways to industrialization through Chips JU pilot lines.

Footnotes

1. 1The SNS JU R&I Work Programme 2026 and related call documentation are available on the SNS JU website and the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. Additional information on the Horizon Europe programme framework and requirements can be found in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide and General Annexes published on the Portal Reference Documents section.