SNS experimental infrastructure

The SNS experimental infrastructure grant aims to make available an evolvable experimental infrastructure representative of a 6G system in Phase 3 of the SNS JU Programme. The infrastructure will enable the 6G community to conduct experimentations, validate key 6G technologies, and provide standardized, supported ways for integration and KPI measurement. The reference platform will be used to demonstrate new 6G technologies, host advanced pilot use-cases, and ensure alignment with standards development. It supports broad collaboration, integration of Stream B technologies, and offers experimentation facilities with strong support for European players and open-source solutions.

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Agency	HORIZON (EU)
Region	EU
Country	N/A
Legal form	Company, NGO, Government organization, Private person, Other
Start date	29 Jan 2026
End date	29 Apr 2026
Max funding	Up to €8,000,000 per grant for Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) under this topic. For third party support (SMEs and academia): single grants up to €50,000 per third party (FSTP).
Budget	€8,000,000 total for HORIZON-JU-SNS-2026-STREAM-C-01 in 2026. Up to 20% of the proposal budget is reserved for third-party financing (FSTP) for SMEs and academia.
Coverage	100% reimbursement of eligible costs for beneficiaries eligible under Horizon Europe rules.

Grant application conditions

Proposal Page Limit	Full proposals are limited to 70 pages for RIAs and IAs under Streams B and C.
Eligible Countries	Legal entities from eligible countries according to Horizon Europe General Annex B. Entities assessed as high-risk suppliers of mobile network equipment are not eligible. Legal entities established in Russia, Belarus, or non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine are not eligible. Entities outside Russia owned for more than 50% by legal persons in Russia are not eligible.
Legal Form	Any legal entity: company, NGO, government-organization, private person, or other, established in an eligible country.
Collaboration Requirement	Participants must cooperate in the SNS JU Programme by signing a collaboration agreement, as per the Model Grant Agreement.
Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP)	Up to 20% of the budget is reserved for Third Party Financing (FSTP) for SMEs and academia. Maximum €50,000 per third party for integration of key technologies from previous SNS JU calls until Call 2025. SNS JU Call 2027 projects are not eligible for FSTP and must include integration in their own project.
SNS Member Budget Share	At least half of the budget should be implemented by SNS JU members (other than the Union) and their affiliated entities.
Gender Equality Plan	Required for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education establishments, as per Horizon Europe rules.
Open Science	AI/ML training data sets created and used in the project must be made openly available through a common repository for use across SNS projects.
Experimenter Participation	Platform is open to experimenters outside the consortium (no budget/funding for experimenters). Experimenters' technology left in the platform is considered an in-kind contribution (preferably until end of the project).
Documentation	https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-JU-SNS-2026-STREAM-C-01

Eligible expenses

Evaluation criteria

Business exclusions

Reporting

Application process

Application requirements