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Bringing 6G into Application – Sustainable, Resilient and Intelligent Connectivity for Society and Economy

This funding programme aims to transfer 6G technologies into application, enabling Germany and Europe to maintain technological sovereignty in future communications. Building upon the BMBF’s 6G initiative launched in 2021, the focus now shifts from fundamental research to application-oriented development of key 6G technologies in real use cases. The projects must demonstrate performance in terms of energy efficiency, resilience, reliability, and scalability.

The funding targets strong, usually industry-led consortia that explore and develop 6G and novel communication technologies for fields such as robotics, telemedicine, Industry 4.0, mobility, VR/AR, and private/public 6G networks. Involvement of SMEs and startups is explicitly encouraged. All projects must contribute to the national overarching 6G initiative, with cross-project cooperation on shared challenges and active participation in working groups.

Eligible applicants include universities, non-university research institutions, associations, and companies with a presence in Germany. Projects must address technological and economic risks and demonstrate readiness for interdisciplinary and industry collaboration.

Deadlines:

  • Opening Date: August 21, 2024

  • Cut-off Dates for submission of project outlines: December 15, 2025

  • Submission mode: Two-stage process

    • Stage 1: Project outline

    • Stage 2: Formal application upon invitation

  • Submission Type: Multiple fixed deadlines

  • Programme end: June 30, 2027 (with possible extension to December 31, 2030)

Expected Outcome

The programme aims to secure Germany’s and Europe’s technological sovereignty in the field of future communication technologies, especially 6G. It seeks to reduce dependencies in critical technologies, increase innovation capacity, foster domestic manufacturing of network components, and position Germany as a leading contributor to international 6G standardisation and development.

Scope

Funding is provided for collaborative projects that develop and demonstrate 6G key technologies and novel communication systems in real-world use cases. These projects must address critical metrics such as reliability, energy efficiency, latency, and security. Fields of innovation include AI for networks, ultra-broadband antennas, high-accuracy localization, semantic communication, non-terrestrial networks, and beyond-cell architectures.

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Ziel des Förderprogramms ist der Transfer von 6G-Technologien in konkrete Anwendungen, um die technologische Souveränität Deutschlands und Europas in der digitalen Kommunikation zu sichern. Aufbauend auf der 2021 gestarteten 6G-Initiative des BMBF liegt der Fokus nun auf anwendungsorientierter Entwicklung und Demonstration zentraler 6G-Schlüsseltechnologien.

Gefördert werden starke, in der Regel industriegeführte Konsortien, die 6G-Technologien in gesellschaftlich relevanten Anwendungsfeldern wie Robotik, Telemedizin, Industrie 4.0, Mobilität, VR/AR oder unternehmensspezifischen Mobilfunknetzen erforschen. Die Beteiligung von Start-ups und KMU ist ausdrücklich erwünscht. Alle Vorhaben müssen zur nationalen 6G-Forschungsinitiative beitragen und sich an übergreifenden Arbeitsgruppen beteiligen.

Antragsberechtigt sind Hochschulen, außeruniversitäre Forschungseinrichtungen, Verbände sowie Unternehmen mit Sitz oder Niederlassung in Deutschland. Die Projekte müssen interdisziplinär angelegt sein und klare technologische sowie wirtschaftliche Risiken benennen.

Fristen:

  • Öffnung: 21.08.2024

  • Einreichungsfristen für Projektskizzen: 15.12.2025

  • Einreichungsmodus: Zweistufig

      1. Stufe: Projektskizze

      1. Stufe: Förderantrag auf Einladung

  • Abgabetyp: Mehrere feste Deadlines

  • Programmende: 30.06.2027 (ggf. Verlängerung bis 31.12.2030)