Wireless Communication Technologies and Signal Processing – Standardisation and Follow-up/PoCs

The HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01 grant opportunity focuses on advancing 6G technologies through collaborative research and innovation within Europe. Eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises, and public-private partnerships. The funding type is primarily grant-based under the Horizon Europe program, specifically action grants that provide 100% funding for non-profits and 90% for for-profit organizations.

The grant requires applicants to form consortia, promoting cross-sector collaboration, particularly integrating vertical sectors like manufacturing and healthcare. Geographic eligibility is restricted to entities based in EU member states, associated countries, OECD countries, and Mercosur countries, with specific exclusions for entities from Russia, Belarus, and non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine.

The target sectors primarily include information and communication technology (ICT), focusing on wireless communication technologies, signal processing for 6G development, and applications such as Internet of Things (IoT) and telecommunications. The funding amounts for various topics within this call range significantly, with a total budget of €128 million for 2025, including per-project grants of roughly €1 million to €5 million.

The application process follows a single-stage submission format, with a deadline of September 18, 2025. While explicit success rates are not provided, similar Horizon Europe grants have competitive success rates. A ten percent co-funding requirement applies to for-profit entities, while non-profits are fully funded.

Successful applicants are expected to engage in cooperation with existing SNS projects and make datasets publicly available for artificial intelligence and machine learning training. This initiative aims to enhance Europe's leadership in 6G technology through innovative practices and sustainable solutions, ensuring the EU's strategic autonomy in telecommunications.

In summary, the grant promotes the development and validation of new technologies in the 6G landscape, aiming for improved performance and integration across various sectors.

The EU is offering funding opportunities under the Horizon Europe program, specifically the HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01 call, focusing on Wireless Communication Technologies and Signal Processing for 6G, including standardization and Proof of Concepts (PoCs). This call is managed by the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation.

The HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01 call includes several topics, each with its own budget, indicative number of grants, opening date, and deadline. All topics are single-stage Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and use the HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based model grant agreement. The opening date for submissions is May 22, 2025, and the deadline is September 18, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

Here's a breakdown of the topics and their respective budgets and grant numbers:

HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-01-01: 15,000,000 EUR, approximately 5 grants
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-01-02: 9,000,000 EUR, approximately 3 grants
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-02: 21,000,000 EUR, approximately 3 grants
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-03-01: 8,000,000 EUR, 1 grant
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-03-02: 8,000,000 EUR, 1 grant
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-04-01: 8,000,000 EUR, 1 grant
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-04-02: 8,000,000 EUR, 1 grant
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-05: 12,000,000 EUR, 1 grant
HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-C-01: 15,000,000 EUR, 1 grant

The expected outcomes include: optimized physical layer solutions, development of algorithms for massive MIMO systems, AI-native frameworks for RAN networks, technologies for co-existence with other communication systems, mechanisms for automation and disaggregation in RAN, integration of function accelerators, algorithms and software for PoCs, and contributions to international standardization. Sustainability is a key horizontal aspect.

The scope of the topics includes: physical layer technologies for spectral efficiency, extreme exploitation of MIMO technologies, AI/ML and semantic communications, spectrum sharing and RAN co-existence, automation and disaggregation in RAN, and agile use of function accelerators. Applicants may address a subset of these areas but should clearly identify which ones.

Restrictions on participation apply to legal entities established in Russia, Belarus, or non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine. Entities assessed as high-risk suppliers of mobile network communication equipment are also ineligible. Participation is generally limited to legal entities established in Member States, Associated Countries, OECD, and Mercosur countries.

General Annex A of the General Annexes to the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2025 applies, with a page limit of 70 pages for full proposals under Streams B and C. Gender equality plans are required for public bodies, research organizations, and higher education establishments.

Evaluation and award processes are detailed in Annexes D and F of the Work Programme General Annexes. The level of SME participation and IKOP objectives will be considered in ranking proposals. Selected projects will be required to cooperate in the SNS Programme through a collaboration agreement. AI/ML training data sets must be made available through a common repository.

A call-specific application form will be used and available in the Submission System. Guidance documents include the HE Programme Guide, Model Grant Agreements, and the SNS R&I Work Programme 2025.

The EU is providing funding for research and innovation projects focused on advancing wireless communication technologies and signal processing for 6G networks. The goal is to improve spectral efficiency, develop AI-driven solutions, and ensure the sustainability and security of future communication systems. The funding is available to organizations in eligible countries, with a focus on promoting SME participation and gender equality. The projects are expected to contribute to international standardization efforts and make AI/ML training datasets openly available. This initiative aims to strengthen the EU's strategic assets and autonomy in the global technology landscape.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types include legal entities such as public bodies, research organisations, higher education establishments (including private ones), SMEs, large enterprises, and other entities that can contribute to the scope of the call. The call is primarily targeted towards consortia involving multiple participants, especially encouraging the participation of SMEs. Restrictions apply to entities from Russia, Belarus, or non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine. Entities controlled by non-eligible countries may also face restrictions.

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

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity requires a consortium, as evidenced by the encouragement of SME participation and the need for collaboration agreements among selected projects. While not explicitly stated as a requirement, the nature of the research and innovation actions suggests that a consortium is highly preferred, if not mandatory.

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

Target Sector: The target sector is primarily ICT (Information and Communication Technology), specifically focusing on wireless communication technologies and signal processing related to 6G development. This includes areas like physical layer technologies, MIMO technologies, AI/ML in RAN networks, spectrum sharing, RAN automation, and function accelerators.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity explicitly mentions Member States, Associated Countries, OECD countries, and Mercosur countries as eligible. It also mentions Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine (specifically non-government-controlled territories) as countries with restrictions.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project is research and innovation actions, suggesting projects in the research, development, and demonstration phases. The focus is on developing algorithms, technologies, and implementations that can be used for PoCs (Proof of Concepts) and trials systems, indicating a stage leaning towards validation and demonstration.

Funding Amount: The funding amount 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 other topics have budgets of EUR 8,000,000. The indicative number of grants also varies, with some topics expected to fund multiple projects (e.g., around 5 grants for HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-01-01) and others targeting a single large project.

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 is a single-stage process.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight. For example, a topic with a budget of EUR 8,000,000 and an indicative number of 1 grant suggests a highly competitive environment.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state a co-funding requirement. As a Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action, co-funding is generally not mandatory but can strengthen a proposal.

Summary:

This opportunity is a Horizon Europe call (HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01) for Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) focusing on wireless communication technologies and signal processing for 6G development. The call, managed by the Single Electronic Data Interchange Area (SEDIA), aims to optimize physical layer solutions, develop algorithms for massive MIMO systems, create AI-native frameworks for RAN networks, and explore technologies for spectrum sharing and RAN automation. The geographic eligibility primarily includes 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 controlled by non-eligible countries. The funding ranges from EUR 8 million to EUR 21 million per topic, with a single-stage application process and a deadline of September 18, 2025. The call encourages participation from SMEs and requires adherence to gender equality plans. Successful projects will be expected to cooperate with other SNS projects and make AI/ML training data sets openly available. This initiative is designed to foster European leadership in 6G technology and ensure the EU's strategic autonomy in the global telecommunications landscape.