SNS Large Scale Trials and Pilots (LST&Ps) with Verticals

The SNS Large Scale Trials and Pilots with Verticals program targets a broad range of entities within the European Union and associated countries, focusing on members of the SNS Joint Undertaking. Its primary goal is to validate advanced 5G evolution and 6G technologies, fostering European leadership in the development and application of next-generation communication networks. The program aims to integrate vertical use cases, stimulate innovative digital services, and contribute to standardization efforts.

The SNS Large Scale Trials and Pilots program focuses on funding innovation actions that demonstrate and validate advanced 5G evolution and emerging 6G technologies across various application, management, and societal levels. This includes support for large-scale pilot projects that span the full value chain, from devices to service delivery, with a strong emphasis on integrating diverse IoT, cloud, and edge computing environments. While specific cost categories are detailed in the Horizon Europe General Annexes, the program explicitly allocates a significant portion of its budget for third-party financing to further stimulate innovation.

The SNS Large Scale Trials and Pilots program, structured as an Innovation Action under Horizon Europe, provides substantial grant funding with a significant portion allocated for third-party financing. The financial support aims to enable large-scale validation and real-world deployment of advanced 5G and 6G technologies, with individual projects receiving significant contributions. The program's financial framework supports comprehensive trials and the development of new market-driven applications.

Applicants to the SNS Large Scale Trials and Pilots program must adhere to strict conditions, including detailed admissibility and eligibility criteria outlined in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Key requirements include page limits for proposals, specific conditions for SNS JU members, and robust security provisions to protect sensitive information and infrastructure from non-EU/third country control. Collaboration among project partners is also a contractual expectation.

The application process for the SNS Large Scale Trials and Pilots program follows a single-stage submission procedure, with proposals evaluated against specific award criteria, including a sub-criterion for SME participation. There are clear timelines for evaluation outcomes and grant agreement signings, as detailed in the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.

The SNS Large Scale Trials and Pilots program is established under the Horizon Europe Framework Programme and is governed by specific regulations and decisions. Key legal documents and general annexes provide the foundational authority and detailed rules for its operation, with official texts accessible through the European Commission's funding portal and the EUR-Lex database.