Feb 03, 2022

Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking – First calls now open!

Illustration mehrerer Symbole, die für die schnelle Kommunikationstechnologie wichtig sind.

Smart Network and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS-JU): First calls open

On January 18, 2022, the first calls of the Smart Network and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS-JU) were opened, assigned to the following four complementary focus areas ("streams"):

SNS Stream A: Smart Communication Components, Systems and Networks for 5G Evolution Systems (seven RIA calls; budget: 42 million euros).
SNS Stream B: Research for Revolutionary 6G Technology and systems (five RIA calls; budget: 122 million euros)
SNS Stream C: Smart Network & Services experimental infrastructure (one RIA call; budget: 25 million euros)
SNS Stream D: SNS Large Scale Trials and Pilots (LST&Ps) with Verticals (one IA call; budget: 46 million euros).

The calls in these focus areas are complemented by two Coordination and Support Actions (CSA, €5 million), bringing the total budget of all 16 current calls to €240 million. Proposals can be submitted until April 26^th, 2022.

The European Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) was established in November 2021 as a legal and funding entity as part of the 10 European Partnerships to step up the green and digital transition. The SNS JU enables the pooling of EU and industrial resources in Smart Networks and Services. It also fosters alignment with Member States for 6G Research and Innovation, and deployment of advanced 5G networks. The SNS JU sets out an ambitious mission and an EU budget of 900 million euros for the period 2021 - 2027.

The SNS JU has two main missions:

Fostering Europe’s technology sovereignty in 6G by implementing the related research and innovation (R&I) programme leading to the conception and standardisation around 2025. It encourages preparation for early market adoption of 6G technologies by the end of the decade. Mobilising a broad set of stakeholders is key to address strategic areas of the networks and services value chain. This ranges from edge- and cloud-based service provisioning to market opportunities in new components and devices beyond smartphones.
Boosting 5G deployment in Europe in view of developing digital lead markets and enabling the digital and green transition of the economy and society. For this objective, the SNS JU coordinates strategic guidance for the relevant programmes under the Connecting Europe Facility, in particular 5G Corridors. It also contributes to the coordination of national programmes, including under the Recovery and Resilience Facility and other European programmes and facilities such as Digital Europe Programme (DEP) and InvestEU.

The Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking also supports technological sovereignty for Europe, in line with the 5G Cybersecurity Toolbox, the Cybersecurity Strategy and the industrial strategy.