Grants8 | The most comprehensive grants search on the web

Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

This grant aims to advance IoT and Device Technologies by supporting research and innovation in three key areas: near-zero-energy devices, 6G operation in unlicensed bands for IoT, and novel IoT connected devices that leverage 6G characteristics for improved performance over 5G. It seeks to fund projects that demonstrate clear performance improvements (KPI and/or KVI) in relevant use-case scenarios like industrial, healthcare, and campus environments. - Explicit identification of target recipient type and size: Primarily legal entities involved in research and innovation, including public bodies, research organisations, higher education establishments, and SMEs. SMEs are explicitly prioritized in tie-breaking evaluation. - MUST state if grant is 'SECTOR-SPECIFIC' or 'SECTOR-AGNOSTIC': SECTOR-SPECIFIC (focused on telecommunications, IoT, 6G technologies). - Geographic scope and any location requirements: Legal entities established in EU Member States, Associated Countries, OECD countries, and Mercosur countries. Excludes entities from Russia, Belarus, non-government controlled territories of Ukraine, and high-risk suppliers of mobile network communication equipment. - Key filtering criteria for initial grant screening: Focus on advanced IoT/6G R&D, location, and non-exclusion based on strategic interests/high-risk supplier status. - Grant frequency and program context: This is a specific topic under the 'HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01' call, which is part of the broader Horizon Europe 'Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking' (SNS JU) Work Programme 2025. Calls within Horizon Europe are typically recurring.

Financial Structure

Each selected project is expected to receive 3,000,000.0 EUR.
The total estimated budget for this topic (HORIZON-JU-SNS-2025-01-STREAM-B-01-02) is 9,000,000.0 EUR, intended to fund 3 projects.
Currency: EUR.
Financial rules and capacity assessment are detailed in General Annex C of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2025.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Organization Types

Legal entities established in:
- EU Member States
- Countries associated with Horizon Europe
- OECD countries
- Mercosur countries
Public bodies, research organisations, or higher education establishments (including private ones) are eligible and required to have a Gender Equality Plan.
SMEs are eligible and receive specific consideration in the evaluation process.

Geographic Location Requirements

Must be established in an eligible country (EU Member State, Associated Country, OECD, Mercosur).
Ineligible: Legal entities established in Russia, Belarus, or non-government controlled territories of Ukraine.
Ineligible: Legal entities established outside Russia but whose proprietary rights are directly or indirectly owned for more than 50% by legal persons established in Russia.
Ineligible: Entities assessed as 'high-risk suppliers' of mobile network communication equipment (or entities they fully or partially own or control).

Other Specific Qualifications

Strategic Autonomy: Entities controlled by a non-eligible country or entity may not participate unless they can demonstrate, with guarantees assessed by their eligible country of establishment (if an EU Member State or Associated Country), that their participation will not negatively impact the Union's strategic assets, interests, autonomy, or security.
Intellectual Property (IP): Ownership of IP arising from the action must remain within the recipient, not be subject to control/restrictions by non-eligible countries/entities, and not be exported/accessed from outside eligible countries without approval.
National Security Clearance: Employees or persons involved in the action may need a national security clearance issued by an eligible country, where appropriate.

Application Process

Application Deadlines and Submission

Submission Deadline: 2025-09-18 00:00:00+0000.
Submission Opens: 2025-05-22.
Submission Procedure: Single-stage evaluation.
Submission Platform: Applications must be submitted via the Funding & Tenders Portal's Electronic Submission Service.

Required Documentation and Materials

Proposal Format: A full proposal with a page limit of 70 pages for Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) submitted under Stream B.
Application Form: A call-specific application form will be used, available in the Submission System.

Project Implementation Timeline

General Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes provides the indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement.

Post-Award Requirements

Collaboration Agreement: Participants of selected projects are required to cooperate in the SNS Programme for common interests by signing a written 'collaboration agreement' (as referred to in Annex 5 of the Model Grant Agreement).
Open Science (Data Sharing): AI/ML training data sets created and used within the selected projects must be made available through a common repository that will be openly accessed and usable by other SNS projects throughout the programme lifecycle.

Application Assistance and Support

Online Resources: JU SNS FAQ, SNS Brokerage Platform, Online Manual, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service.
Contact Points: National Contact Points (NCPs) for guidance and assistance, Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) for SMEs, IT Helpdesk for technical issues.
Expert Advice: European IPR Helpdesk for intellectual property, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk for standardisation in project proposals.

Evaluation Criteria

General Award Criteria

Proposals are evaluated based on criteria described in Annex D of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. These typically include:
- Excellence: Quality of research, innovation, methodology, and interdisciplinary aspects.
- Impact: Potential for positive societal, economic, and environmental impact, dissemination, communication, and exploitation plans.
- Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation: Soundness of the work plan, appropriate allocation of resources, and management structure.

Specific Complements to Impact Section

Introduction of a sub-criterion assessing the proposal's contribution to the overall SME objective (as appropriate).
Introduction of a sub-criterion assessing the proposal's contribution to IKOP objectives (Innovation, Key Performance Indicators, Outcomes, and Processes).

Tie-Breaking Procedure (for equally ranked proposals)

Coverage criterion
Excellence criterion
Generic Impact criterion
Level of SME participation
Level of IKOP (Innovation, Key Performance Indicators, Outcomes, and Processes) objectives

Selection Priorities for Balanced Portfolio

Grants will be awarded not only by order of ranking but also to ensure a balanced portfolio across the three identified priorities within this topic.
At least one project that is the highest ranked within each of the three topic areas/priorities will be awarded, provided it attains all thresholds and budget is available.
Proposals addressing multiple priorities should clearly indicate their main covered priority ('centre of gravity').

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance

Horizon Europe Regulation Article 22(5): Restrictions on participation apply to safeguard the Union's strategic assets, interests, autonomy, and security, avoiding technological dependency on non-EU sources.
European Communication Networks Protection: Entities identified as 'high-risk suppliers' of mobile network communication equipment (or those they own/control) are not eligible.
Gender Equality Plans: Public bodies, research organisations, or higher education establishments (including private ones) must have Gender Equality Plans.

Ethical Standards

Gender Dimension in R&I: Proposals should address additional gender issues if research results are expected to differ when applied to different gender populations of users.

Intellectual Property Policies

Ownership: IP arising from the action must remain within the recipient entity and not be subject to control or restrictions by non-eligible countries or entities.
Export/Access Restrictions: IP results cannot be exported outside eligible countries or accessed from outside eligible countries without the approval of the eligible country where the legal entity is established.

Security and Data Protection Requirements

Sensitive Information: Access by non-eligible countries or entities to sensitive information related to the action must be prevented.
National Security Clearance: Employees or other persons involved may require a national security clearance from an eligible country, where appropriate.

Technical Data Sharing

AI/ML Training Data: AI/ML training data sets generated by the project must be made openly available via a common repository for use by other SNS projects.

Strategic Considerations

Balanced Portfolio: The selection process prioritizes awarding projects that ensure a balanced coverage across the three specific areas of focus within the topic, rather than strictly by ranking alone.
Collaboration: Selected projects are expected to sign a 'collaboration agreement' to cooperate with other SNS Programme projects on topics of common interest.

Grant Details