EU gives €127m funding boost to 6G research


The funding will focus on 6G innovation and sustainable network development

At the 5G-Techritory event this week, Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) has announced the recipients of €127 million in funding set aside for 6G research in Europe.

The SNS JU was set up in 2021 with the aim of developing industrial leadership in 5G and 6G networks and services.

Sixteen projects have been chosen to drive forward Europe’s 6G development, with a focus on sustainable, AI-driven, and secure communication networks.

This year’s SNS JU call had 1,874 applications from 33 European countries requesting a combined €863 million, far surpassing the available funding.

The winning 16 projects involve 301 organisations across 25 countries.

Among the winners were the following projects: FLECON-6G, which aims to create a flexible, secure “Network of Networks” for 6G. UNITY-6G, which will develop an AI-driven architecture for a sustainable 6G network. AMBIENT-6G, which focuses on energy-harvesting technology for long-lasting IoT devices. 6G MIRAI and 6G ARROW, which represent international collaborations with Japan and South Korea, exploring seamless connectivity across networks.

“The projects selected highlight the diversity of 6G development happening across Europe, from infrastructure to applications to security. SNS JU is proud to support these efforts to ensure Europe remains at the forefront of 6G research and innovation and help realise its potential to transform lives and society,” said Erzsébet Fitori, Executive Director of SNS JU in a press release. EU gives €127m funding boost to 6G research