6G-SANDBOX 2nd Open Call for New Infrastructures and Functionalities as well as for Innovative Experiments

Description

The call covers 2 kinds of activities: ~ New infrastructures and functionalities ~ Innovative experiments New infrastructures and functionalities: This open call intends to enlarge and make the 6G-SANDBOX experimental infrastructure ready for advanced experimentation in upcoming project open calls for experimentation. We are looking for the following technologies and implementations: ~ Integrated Sensing & Communication (ISAC or JCAS) to save energy ~ Technology for use cases in Internet of Sense ~ RIS infrastructure to expand the 6G-SANDBOX capabilities in FR1 and or FR2 ~ Expanding the 6G-Sandbox testbed With Content Distribution Networks for Quality of Experience ~ Portable data center / smart furniture for 6G AI/ML workloads ~ Self-learning, evolving Digital Twin. Based on real time data ~ Testbed network operation center //Experimentation / "experimental load balancer" front end for optimal experimentation (PORTAL) ~ Stand-alone mmWave early modules & infrastructure ~ Dynamic slice allocation, entitlement server ~ 5GPPP final results integration in 6GSANDBOX ~ 5G Multicast-Broadcast Services (MBS) ~ Use explainable AI (XAI) to improve O-RAN functionality in 6G networks ~ provision system for eSIM ~ AI techniques for autonomous network management / Zero touch ~ Support of Ambient IoT devices ~ Expanding 6G capabilities … as well as further topics of community interest. Innovative experiments: In alignment with the overall project objectives 6GSANDBOX is organizing a competitive open call targeting external organizations, including industry, SMEs, research institutions, and academia, interested in performing experiments on the top of the infrastructure provided by the 6GSANDBOX. This open call invites experimenters to use the 6GSANDBOX experimental facilities, by taking advantage of the provided testbed features, in order to deploy and test broad scope of applications, e.g., coming from various vertical sectors, tailored for the future 6G communications networks.

Beneficiary & submission

Eligibility: The rules for participation and funding in the Open Calls are subject to the General Annexes to Horizon Europe for the Work Programme 2023-2024. Feasibility check: The proposers are encouraged to contact 6G-SANDBOX, in order to check the feasibility of the proposal for implementation within the 6G-SANDBOX facilities. To perform the feasibility check, up to one page description of planned experiment has to be sent to via email to: opencalls@6g-sandbox.eu until 15 February 2024 at 17:00 (Brussels local time). Submission: ~ The proposals must be submitted through the online submission portal, available at https://submission.eurescom.eu/ ~ The proposals must be submitted by using the mandatory proposal template, available on the project website at https://6g-sandbox.eu/ or https://6g-sandbox.eu/open-call-2/. ~ Language in which the proposal should be submitted: English Evaluations: To perform evaluations, the project will involve independent experts, which are not part of the 6G-SANDBOX consortium and cannot evaluate proposals where a conflict of interest can be identified. The independent experts will perform the proposal evaluations, including their rating and ranking, in accordance with requirements and objectives specified in the Open Call Selection of the proposals for funding will ensure to cover as many identified call topics as possible and a further priority will be given to ensure equal utilization of the 6GSANDBOX facilities – applies only to proposals ranked above threshold Evaluation of the received proposals, final ranking, and decision on proposals to be funded, including notifications to the proposers, will be completed latest until end of March 2024.

Further information

Funding: ~ New infrastructures and functionalities - The maximum amount of financial support for each third party is 60,000€ (if justified, the proposer can request higher amounts). Consortium can request up to 180.000€ when composed of 3 or more participants. ~ Innovative experiments: 20,000€ + maximum of 10,000€ reserved budget for equipment or software purchase. A consortium of two organizations can request up to 40,000€ + 10,000€ for equipment if it is composed of a technology provider and a vertical/customer The project contribution to the third parties will be 90% (for-profit organization) or 100% (not-for-profit organization) of the declared costs, in accordance with the corresponding rules for participation in the SNS JU programme Others: ~ Detailed technical, contractual, eligibility, as well as submission and evaluation process information are available on the 6G-SANDBOX website at https://6g-sandbox.eu/open-call-2/. ~ Description of the 6G-SANDBOX facilities can be found on the project website at https://6g-sandbox.eu/pilot-6g-sites/. ~ The proposals accepted in this Open Call will start the planned work in May 2024 and should be completed in October 2024 (duration six months).