Reliable Services Operation

The HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01 grant call focuses on the development of Reliable Services Operation as part of the European Union’s Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking initiative. This opportunity aims to advance the reliability and service operations of 6G network technologies. Key features of this grant include:

Eligible applicants are SMEs, large enterprises, universities, research institutions, and public-private partnerships, emphasizing collaboration within these sectors to bolster Europe's 6G capabilities. This grant type is categorized as a non-repayable financial support or grant under Horizon Europe, with a maximum allocation of €8 million per topic from a total budget of €128 million available for various topics in 2025.

The grant requires a consortium of participants working together, although the participation of a more formal structured consortium is implied rather than explicitly stated. Geographic eligibility is limited to entities located in EU member states, EEA countries, and associated nations, with restrictions on organizations from countries like Russia, Belarus, and territories of Ukraine that are not government-controlled.

The targeted sectors include ICT, telecommunications, and advanced technologies, specifically focusing on improving methodologies for service operations, enhancing network reliability, and integrating both terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks while adhering to sustainability standards aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Projects may target various stages of development, from validation and demonstration phases to preparatory research for new 6G technologies. The application process is structured as a single-stage call with a deadline set for September 18, 2025. Although the success rates for applications are not specified, the grant invites proposals with a clear emphasis on cooperation across the SNS Program and a requirement for partial co-funding, which is typical for Horizon Europe grants.

The grant is designed to enhance R&D focused on 6G networks, aiming for prototypes and standardization contributions to support the EU’s goal of achieving leadership in next-generation connectivity by 2030. Each project’s success requires an emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and the capacity to deliver high-TRL solutions. The overall intent is to secure technological sovereignty for Europe in digital services and next-level connectivity.

The EU's Horizon Europe program, under the call HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01, includes several topics for Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) related to Smart Networks and Services (SNS). The call opens on May 22, 2025, and closes on September 18, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time. It is a single-stage submission process. The general conditions for participation include admissibility, eligibility of countries, and financial and operational capacity. Restrictions apply to entities from Russia, Belarus, and non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine, as well as entities with ties to high-risk suppliers of communication network equipment. The page limit for full proposals under Stream B and Stream C is 70 pages.

Eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with additional restrictions. Participation is limited to legal entities established in Member States, Associated Countries, OECD, and Mercosur countries for proposals under Stream B and Stream C. 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.

The evaluation process includes award criteria, scoring, and thresholds as described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. The submission and evaluation processes are detailed in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is also outlined in Annex F.

The legal and financial setup of the grants is governed by General Annex G of the General Annexes to the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2025. Participants are expected to cooperate in the SNS Programme and sign a collaboration agreement. AI/ML training data sets created under Stream B topics must be made available through a common repository.

The call includes the following specific topics:

HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-01-01: Budget of EUR 15,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 5, Contributions around EUR 3,000,000.

HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-01-02: Budget of EUR 9,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 3, Contributions around EUR 3,000,000.

HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-02: Budget of EUR 21,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 3, Contributions around EUR 7,000,000.

HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-03-01: Budget of EUR 8,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1, Contributions around EUR 8,000,000.

HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-03-02: Budget of EUR 8,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1, Contributions around EUR 8,000,000.

HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-04-01: Budget of EUR 8,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1, Contributions around EUR 8,000,000.

HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-04-02: Budget of EUR 8,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1, Contributions around EUR 8,000,000. This topic, titled "Reliable Services Operation," aims to consolidate results on efficient service operation methodologies, service technologies for time-sensitive applications, low-overhead monitoring infrastructures, and algorithms for PoC and trials systems. It focuses on automation and intelligence in security operations, service development methodologies for non-trustable providers, novel instantiation methodologies for run-time dynamics, interfaces and mechanisms for cooperative remediation, and multistakeholder service auditing mechanisms.

HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-05: Budget of EUR 12,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1, Contributions around EUR 12,000,000.

HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-C-01: Budget of EUR 15,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1, Contributions around EUR 15,000,000.

Applicants should use a call-specific application form available in the Submission System. Guidance documents include the HE Programme Guide, Model Grant Agreements, and the SNS R&I Work Programme 2025. A brokerage platform and partner search tools are available to help applicants find collaborators.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call focuses on advancing smart network and service technologies, with specific emphasis on 6G, AI, security, and efficient service operation. It seeks to foster collaboration, standardization, and the development of innovative solutions that cater to societal needs while ensuring the EU's strategic autonomy and security. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the work program and related annexes to align their proposals with the call's objectives and requirements. The call encourages participation from SMEs and considers gender equality plans in the evaluation process. The overall goal is to enhance the reliability, efficiency, and security of future network services through research and innovation.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types include legal entities such as public bodies, research organizations, higher education establishments (including private ones), SMEs, large enterprises, and other entities that can contribute to the objectives of the Horizon Europe program and the specific requirements outlined in the call conditions. The focus is on entities established in Member States, Associated Countries, OECD countries, and Mercosur countries, with specific restrictions for entities controlled by non-eligible countries or those assessed as high-risk suppliers of mobile network communication equipment.

Funding Type: The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG], provided through HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-JU-RIA).

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity appears to favor a consortium approach, as it encourages cooperation among participants and mentions the importance of SME participation. While not explicitly stated as a requirement, the complexity and scope of the projects suggest that a consortium is highly beneficial. Participants of selected projects will be requested to cooperate in the SNS Programme for topics of common interests by signing a written agreement (called “collaboration agreement”).

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is primarily focused on legal entities established in Member States, Associated Countries, OECD countries, and Mercosur countries. There are explicit restrictions for entities established in Russia, Belarus, or in non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine. Additional restrictions apply to entities controlled by non-eligible countries or those assessed as high-risk suppliers of mobile network communication equipment.

Target Sector: The program targets the digital, industry, and space sectors, with a specific focus on reliable services operation, 6G technology, cybersecurity, AI, and related areas. It aims to improve service operation methodologies, service technologies, monitoring infrastructures, and algorithms for time-sensitive and computationally intensive applications.

Mentioned Countries: Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Member States, Associated Countries, OECD countries, Mercosur countries.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project is research and innovation actions, implying projects in the research, development, and validation stages. The call aims to consolidate results, develop algorithms, software, and hardware implementations, and disseminate solutions for standardization, suggesting projects that are moving towards demonstration and validation.

Funding Amount: The funding range varies 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-02 has a budget of EUR 21,000,000, while several others have budgets of EUR 8,000,000.

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 grants to support their research and innovation activities.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage, meaning applicants submit a full proposal that undergoes evaluation.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight. For instance, a topic with a budget of EUR 15,000,000 indicates that around 5 grants may be awarded, while other topics with EUR 8,000,000 may only award 1 grant.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state a co-funding requirement. As a Horizon Europe action grant, it is likely that the funding covers a significant portion of the eligible costs, but applicants should refer to the specific call documents for detailed financial rules.

Summary:

This is a Horizon Europe call (HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01) focused on "Reliable Services Operation" within the broader scope of digital, industry, and space research and innovation. The call aims to fund Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) that will consolidate results, develop new methodologies, technologies, and algorithms, and contribute to international standardization in areas such as 6G, cybersecurity, AI, and service operation. The call is structured into different streams (B and C) with varying budgets and expected outcomes. Eligible applicants include legal entities from Member States, Associated Countries, OECD countries, and Mercosur countries, with specific restrictions for entities from or controlled by non-eligible countries. The application process is a single-stage open call, with a deadline of September 18, 2025. Successful projects will receive funding in the form of grants and will be expected to cooperate with other projects within the SNS Programme. The call emphasizes the importance of SME participation and gender equality plans. The specific topics of interest include automation and intelligence in security operations, service development methodologies, novel instantiation methodologies, interfaces, protocols, and mechanisms for cooperative remediation, and multistakeholder service auditing mechanisms.