HORIZON-JU-SNS-2026

Expected Outcome:

The key expected outcomes are:

• 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).

Objective:

Please refer to the "Specific Challenges and Objectives" section for Stream CSA-01 in the Work Programme, available under ‘Topic Conditions and Documents - Additional Documents’.

Scope:

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.

NB: Considering the expected outcomes and the scope of this CSA, a project duration of 2 years is expected.