SNS Joint Undertaking releases its 2026 work programme

Brussels, 18 December 2025

SNS JU Unveils 2026-2027 Work Programme, Announces Funding for 6G Research and Innovation in 2026

The Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) just published its Bi-Annual Work Programme for 2026-2027, including its Research & Innovation Work Programme 2026, allocating €22 million in EU funding to be invested in 5 projects.

The R esearch & I nnovation W ork P rogramme 2026 (R&I WP26) will act as a bridge between the previous SNS R&I Work Programmes and the final SNS Work Programme in 2027, facilitating a smooth transition from the second to the third and final phase of the SNS JU Programme.

The Research & Innovation Work Programme for 2027, with a budget of approximately €220 Million, will be released by the end of 2026. Altogether, the 2026-2027 Work Programme will distribute over €240 Million in EU grants.

The 2026 R&I activities will focus on strategic pillars, tackling the foundation for future industrial capabilities such as 6G devices, AI integration, and testbeds, fostering global positioning and partnerships, with a particular focus on standards, and forging international collaboration with India.

The R&I WP26 is consolidating on research and innovation achievements from previous SNS JU Calls, aligning with Horizon Europe's strategic plan for 2025-2027. The R&I WP26 focuses on selected projects designed to maximise impact and reinforce Europe's global positioning in 6G.

Erzsébet Fitori: "The SNS JU R&I Work Programme for 2026 is streamlined and focused, boosting our ability to maintain momentum and deliver impactful investments. This strategic approach not only advances current objectives for example on AI - supporting the training of AI models for 6G networks - but also sets the stage for a more ambitious R&I Work Programme in 2027."

In the context of 6G networks and services, its actions are expected to contribute to the three key overarching and interlinked EU strategic orientations: 1) the green transition; 2) the digital transition, and 3) a more resilient, competitive, inclusive and democratic Europe.

The programme will support research and innovation activities through three complementary streams:

• Stream B: Collection, Generation and Validation of Datasets suitable for training AI models for 6G Networks

• Stream C: SNS experimental Infrastructure

• Stream CSA: SNS Operations and Output optimisation, 6G Devices, and EU-I ndia International Collaboration

Within this context, the R&I WP26 consolidates work along three strategic pillars:

• Consolidation and visibility of SNS JU results.
• Groundwork for future industrial capabilities, including devices, AI, and testbeds.
• Global positioning and partnerships, with emphasis on standards and new international collaboration.

This announcement follows the successful implementation of previous calls, which have already committed over € 6 3 0 M illion of EU fund s , boost ing beyond 5G and 6G r esearch and i nnovation across Europe.

The R&I W P 26 will form the basis of the SNS JU's six th call for proposals, with the opening date to be announced in due course .

An Info Day on the SNS six th c all will take place Q1 202 6 . T o share your first ideas and find partners, join the SNS brokerage platform: https://sns-brokerage.eu/

More Information

Download the Bi-Annual Work Programme 2026-27 here

Download the Research & Innovation Work Programme for 2026 (containing the details of the 2026 calls for projects)here

About SNS JU: The European Smart Networks and Services JU (SNS JU) is a Joint Undertaking established in 2021 by the European Union Council Regulation No 2021/2085. This EU Partnership is jointly led by the EU Commission and the 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA). The mix of public and industry interest makes the Smart Network and Services Joint Undertaking the right platform for collaboration and the right instrument to foster world-class research and innovation on next generation networks and services. The SNS JU two-pillar approach, in support of 5G deployment and for advanced research of 6G systems, create a continuity for EU players but also provide tangible financial support to best research, SMEs and industry to strengthen the EU supply chain side. The SNS JU fosters alignment and synergies with Member States on 6G Research and Innovation Programmes and favour international cooperation towards setting a 6G global standard.