On 14th December 2022, the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) adopted its Research & Innovation (R&I) Work Programme 2023-2024, including information about the 2023 call for project proposals under Horizon Europe.
The R&I Work Programme (ANNEX II to the 2023 SNS annual Work Programme) will be the basis for the second SNS Call for Proposals, with earmarked public funding of €132 million.
It will be launched on 17th January 2023 and will include the following 3 complementary streams:
- Stream B: Research for revolutionary technology advancements, in preparation for 6G, and revolutionary advancements of IoT, devices and software, targeting low to medium Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), with the objective of delivering innovative solutions towards real-life networks in a long-term periods of time. It includes international cooperation with the USA.
- Stream C: SNS system enablers and proof of concepts (PoCs) with a target to further develop, federate and consolidate Europe-wide experimental infrastructure(s), in support of the various phases of the SNS.
- Stream D: Large-scale SNS trials and pilots with verticals, including the required infrastructure to explore and demonstrate technologies and advanced applications and services for vertical domains focusing on 2 priorities less covered in the previous call, namely:
– automotive
– health, smart cities, farming or education.
These 3 Streams will be complemented by an SNS Coordination and Support Action (CSA) aimed at dealing with societal challenges related to SNS technologies.
The SNS R&I Work Programme 2023 also highlights some indicative R&I topics for 2024 that will reach a stable version for approval later in 2023 and will be the basis for the third SNS Call in 2024, with around €129 million in EU funding.
Stream A is considered completed with the first wave of projects and as we move to 6G standardisation from 2025.