Demand-side 3C pilot demonstrators on converged Telco Edge Cloud Infrastructure (IA)
Horizon Europe · Cluster 4 – Digital, Industry and Space · HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-DATA-08
Funding for large pilots that run mobility and other sector applications on Europe's emerging telco-edge-cloud infrastructure.
This call is announced but not open yet. Dates and conditions can still change.
What is this call about?
The topic funds large demand-side pilots that run sector applications, including one on connected mobility, on Europe's emerging telco-edge-cloud (3C) infrastructure. Consortia combine users from the target sector with infrastructure suppliers.
What does this call fund?
Scope
The topic funds demand-side pilot demonstrators that build on the supply-side large-scale pilot funded under the 2025 work programme for Connected, Collaborative, Computing (3C) networks. A 3C network is a secure, multi-provider telco-edge-cloud system that hosts network functions and workloads, such as 6G, AI compute, storage and security, as a service. The demonstrators integrate sector-specific applications with this emerging European infrastructure.
Pilot demonstrators
- One pilot on mobility, covering transport, logistics and the automotive industry, supporting the strategy of the Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance.
- One pilot on another sector, such as energy, smart communities, industrial virtual worlds, health, agrifood or manufacturing.
What the pilots should do
- Use open interfaces, open-source components and AI, including generative AI and extended reality, in practical sector applications.
- Set out a data governance model covering data sovereignty, interoperability with Common European Data Spaces and secure data sharing between users and infrastructure providers.
- Test and validate virtualised network functions in operational environments with attention to security, including resistance to quantum threats, energy efficiency and sustainable AI.
- Re-use open-source frameworks and make them available to the Open Internet Stack.
- Liaise with the related coordination action and complementary EU initiatives such as the Smart Networks and Systems Joint Undertaking.
Expected outcomes and readiness
Demand-led validation of open orchestration platforms, more competitive and sustainable sectors, and an ecosystem of SMEs and start-ups developing new services. Activities are expected to reach TRL 6-8.
What are the key facts?
- Topic budget
- €38,000,000
- Funding per project
- €19,000,000
- Call code
- HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-DATA-08
- Programme
- Horizon Europe
- Expected number of projects
- 2
Who can apply for this call?
- Each pilot is driven by a consortium including partners from both the demand (user) side and the infrastructure supply side.
- Proposals should ensure strong participation of stakeholders from the relevant sectors, with particular attention to SMEs, scale-ups and start-ups.
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What are proposals expected to do?
- Resulting solutions should be available for use in the public sector.
When is the deadline?
18 March 2027 (133 days)
18 March 2027 (single-stage submission).
Interested in this call? Summary written with AI from the official call documents. Details can differ, so check the official call page before you apply. Read the official call documents before you decide. The official text is always binding.
Source: EU Funding & Tenders Portal and the official call documents. Official call page Last updated 6 October 2026.