SNS Operations and Output optimisation

The HORIZON-JU-SNS-2026-STREAM-CSA-01 opportunity is part of the Horizon Europe program, specifically targeting the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking. This Coordination and Support Action (CSA) grant focuses on supporting the operational and strategic coordination of the SNS JU in relation to 6G technology development and implementation. Eligible applicants include research organizations, universities, non-profits, and for-profit entities established in EU Member States and Associated Countries, with specific restrictions on entities from Russia, Belarus, and non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine.

The funding for this grant amounts to EUR 3 million, intended to support a single project that will act as a coordinating hub for various SNS JU activities. The project aims to facilitate collaboration among SNS projects, support knowledge exchange, monitor performance against established Key Performance Indicators, and promote results to technical and policy communities. Non-profit organizations are eligible for 100% funding, while for-profit entities are funded at 90%, requiring them to contribute 10% co-funding.

The application process is a single-stage submission, with the call opening on January 29, 2026, and a submission deadline of April 29, 2026. The grant is expected to last 2 years, with activities including organizing conferences, promoting international cooperation, and supporting standardization efforts. The overall aim is to enhance the coherence and impact of SNS research and innovation activities while positioning Europe as a leader in 6G technology.

This is a call for proposals for the HORIZON-JU-SNS-2026-STREAM-CSA-01 topic, which falls under the Horizon Europe (HORIZON) programme and the HORIZON-JU-SNS-2026 call. It is a HORIZON JU Coordination and Support Action (HORIZON-JU-CSA) with a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] type of Model Grant Agreement (MGA). The deadline model is single-stage. The planned opening date is 29 January 2026, and the deadline date is 29 April 2026 at 17:00:00 Brussels time. The budget for this topic is 3,000,000 EUR for the year 2026, and it is expected that around 1 grant will be awarded.

The expected outcomes of this call are to: Contribute to continuity across SNS JU Phases 1, 2 and 3, supporting the synergies and coherence of SNS R&I activities at programme level. Support structured collection and analysis of data from SNS JU projects, to assess progress against programme-level Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including 6G KPIs and Key Value Indicators (KVIs). Promote awareness and visibility of the SNS JU programme and its results in Europe and globally, by preparing communication and dissemination material, including inputs for publications, including the organisation of the EuCNC & 6G Summit conferences (2027, 2028) as part of its dissemination and community-building activities. Support the SNS JU Office and the SNS JU members in facilitating engagement with national, European and international stakeholders, including vertical sectors, in alignment with SNS JU and EU policy priorities. Support the activities of the SNS JU Policy WG on standardisation, identify standardisation opportunities linked to project outcomes and facilitate stakeholders contributing to international standards bodies (3GPP, ITU, IEEE, etc.). Support visibility of European technical contributions, in coordination with SNS JU members (the Commission and the 6G-IA).

The objective of this call is detailed in the "Specific Challenges and Objectives" section for Stream CSA-01 in the Work Programme, available under ‘Topic Conditions and Documents - Additional Documents’.

The scope of this call is that the project should contribute to the effective implementation of the SNS JU Programme, in close coordination with the SNS JU Office and SNS JU members (the Commission and the 6G-IA), following the research priorities of NetworldEurope SRIA and providing input to the SNS JU SRIA, around three core objectives: supporting programme delivery, animating the SNS community, and ensuring that results are exploited and translated into impact through dissemination and standardisation. In this context, the project will support the SNS JU in the following activities: Facilitate community-level collaboration across Phases 1, 2 and 3, thereby contributing to the coherence of R&I activities at programme level, taking into consideration dissemination tools developed during Phases 1 and 2. This includes facilitating coordination and exchanges across the SNS JU project community, and supporting activities foreseen in the cross-project collaboration agreement. Facilitate the operation of working groups of the SNS JU interest, especially on topics of common interest, providing support for knowledge exchange. This will include support to flexible cooperation between projects, and reaching out to SMEs. Monitor outcomes against SNS JU Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) plus the 6G KPIs and Key Value Indicators (KVIs) mapping to the 6G indicators of the other global regions, contributing to programme-level evaluation and impact assessment. Support the SNS JU in fostering international cooperation, promoting alignment and supporting cooperation with national authorities, vertical sectors, and relevant European bodies and initiatives. Further develop and update the Europe-wide cartography of relevant initiatives and identify interlinkages with national and EU-level programmes. Communicate and promote results across technical, industrial, and policy communities, in alignment with the SNS JU Communication policy and priorities. Support the organisation of EuCNC & 6G Summit (EuCNC & 6G Summit) conferences 2027 and 2028. Support the translation of research outputs into standardisation activities. Identify SNS JU related European policy priorities and technical developments from European players that should be reflected in global standards, thereby reinforcing Europe’s influence in shaping the future 6G landscape. Overall, this CSA will support the SNS JU to operate as an integrated, impactful, and globally visible programme, so that investments in 6G research and innovation deliver long-term strategic value for Europe. The project duration is expected to be 2 years.

The general conditions include:

1. Admissibility Conditions: The proposal page limit is 50 pages for CSAs submitted under the CSA Stream, as per General Annex A of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027.

2. Eligible Countries: General Annex B of the General Annexes to the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027 applies, with exceptions and amendments related to restrictions on participation in accordance with Article 22(5) of the Horizon Europe Regulation. Participation is limited to legal entities established in Member States and Associated Countries to avoid technological dependency on non-EU sources and safeguard the Union’s strategic assets, interests, autonomy, and security. Entities directly or indirectly controlled by a non-eligible country may not participate unless they can demonstrate that their participation would not negatively impact the Union’s strategic interests. Guarantees must substantiate that control is not exercised to restrain the entity's ability to carry out the action, access to sensitive information is prevented, and ownership of intellectual property remains within the recipient and is not subject to control by non-eligible countries. These conditions apply to beneficiaries, affiliated entities, associated partners, and subcontractors, and their participation is subject to an ex-ante ownership control assessment. 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 not eligible to participate in any capacity, with possible exceptions granted on a case-by-case basis for justified reasons.

3. Other Eligible Conditions are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Gender equality plans are required for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education establishments, as per Part B of the General Annexes to the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027.

4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion: General Annex C of the General Annexes to the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027 applies.

5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.

5c. Evaluation and award: The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement follows General Annex F of the General Annexes to the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, with amendments related to the procedure to rank proposals. If two CSA proposals are equally ranked, the level of SME participation will be taken as the next criterion to sort out the ties, followed by the level of IKOP if still inconclusive.

6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants: General Annex G of the General Annexes to the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027 applies. Participants of selected projects will be requested to cooperate in the SNS JU Programme for topics of common interests by signing a written agreement (collaboration agreement). AI/ML training data sets created and used in Streams B and C must be made available through a common repository.

Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

Call Documents: A call-specific application form will be used and will be available in the Submission System.

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA): Application form templates and the application form specific to this call are available in the Submission System. The standard application form (HE CSA) and evaluation form templates will be used with necessary adaptations.

Guidance: HE Programme Guide.

Model Grant Agreements (MGA): HE MGA, HE Unit MGA, Operating Grants MGA.

Additional documents: SNS R&I Work Programme 2026, HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction, HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 7. Digital, Industry and Space, HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes, HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions, Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

The budget overview includes: HORIZON-JU-SNS-2026-STREAM-B-01 (8,000,000 EUR), HORIZON-JU-SNS-2026-STREAM-C-01 (8,000,000 EUR), HORIZON-JU-SNS-2026-STREAM-CSA-01 (3,000,000 EUR), HORIZON-JU-SNS-2026-STREAM-CSA-02 (2,000,000 EUR), and HORIZON-JU-SNS-2026-STREAM-CSA-03 (1,000,000 EUR).

There are 7 partner search announcements. LEARs, Account Administrators, or self-registrants can publish partner requests.

The submission system is planned to be opened on the date stated on the topic header.

The general FAQ and support include the Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk, the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment, and Partner Search.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call aims to support the implementation and coordination of the SNS JU Programme, focusing on 6G research and innovation. It seeks to foster collaboration, monitor progress, promote international cooperation, and translate research outputs into standardisation activities, ultimately reinforcing Europe’s influence in shaping the future 6G landscape. The call is open to legal entities established in Member States and Associated Countries, with specific restrictions for entities controlled by non-eligible countries or assessed as high-risk suppliers. The project duration is expected to be 2 years, and the budget for this specific topic is 3 million EUR.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types include legal entities established in Member States and Associated Countries. The text also mentions SMEs, public bodies, research organisations, and higher education establishments (including private ones) as relevant stakeholders. However, 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 generally ineligible, with possible exceptions for justified reasons.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON JU Coordination and Support Action (HORIZON-JU-CSA). The Model Grant Agreement (MGA) type is a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG].

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required, but it mentions facilitating community-level collaboration and supporting working groups, suggesting that a consortium approach is beneficial or expected.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is primarily for legal entities established in Member States and Associated Countries. Restrictions apply to entities controlled by non-eligible countries and entities from Russia, Belarus, and non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine.

Target Sector: The target sector is primarily ICT, specifically focusing on 6G technology, digital, industry, and space. It also touches upon standardisation, AI/ML, and research and innovation.

Mentioned Countries: Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Member States, Associated Countries. The EU and EEA regions are implied through the eligibility of Member States and Associated Countries.

Project Stage: The project stage is focused on supporting programme delivery, animating the SNS community, and ensuring that results are exploited and translated into impact through dissemination and standardisation. This suggests a focus on development, validation, and demonstration stages, rather than basic research or idea generation.

Funding Amount: The funding amount for HORIZON-JU-SNS-2026-STREAM-CSA-01 is EUR 3,000,000. Other related streams have different funding amounts: HORIZON-JU-SNS-2026-STREAM-B-01 (EUR 8,000,000), HORIZON-JU-SNS-2026-STREAM-C-01 (EUR 8,000,000), HORIZON-JU-SNS-2026-STREAM-CSA-02 (EUR 2,000,000), and HORIZON-JU-SNS-2026-STREAM-CSA-03 (EUR 1,000,000).

Application Type: The application type is a single-stage call.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant.

Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for HORIZON-JU-SNS-2026-STREAM-CSA-01 is 1.

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

Summary:
This opportunity is a HORIZON JU Coordination and Support Action (CSA) grant under the Horizon Europe program, specifically targeting the SNS (Smart Networks and Services) Joint Undertaking. The primary goal is to support the effective implementation, coherence, and impact of the SNS JU Programme, particularly in the context of 6G technology. The grant is open to legal entities established in EU Member States and Associated Countries, with certain restrictions for entities controlled by non-eligible countries and those from Russia, Belarus, and non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine. The project should focus on supporting programme delivery, animating the SNS community, and ensuring the exploitation and dissemination of results. Key activities include facilitating collaboration, monitoring KPIs, fostering international cooperation, communicating results, and supporting standardisation activities. The funding amount for this specific CSA stream (HORIZON-JU-SNS-2026-STREAM-CSA-01) is EUR 3,000,000, and the project duration is expected to be 2 years. The application process is a single-stage call with a deadline of April 29, 2026.