EU Grants for Telecommunications

Discover EU funding opportunities and grant programmes for the telecommunications sector. Browse open and forthcoming calls from Horizon Europe and other European Commission initiatives.

Showing 30 of 79 grant calls

Open

Network Management Planning And Control & Mobility Management In A Multimodal Environment And Digital Enablers

HORIZON JU Innovation Actions

Budget:€33 100 000
Deadline:February 11, 2026
Open

Digital & Automatic Up To Automated Train Operations

HORIZON JU Innovation Actions

Budget:€33 100 000
Deadline:February 11, 2026
Open

Smarter buildings as part of the energy system for increased efficiency and flexibility – Societal Readiness Pilot

HORIZON Innovation Actions

Budget:€15 000 000
Deadline:February 17, 2026
Open

Understand and minimise the environmental impacts of offshore wind energy

HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions

Budget:€15 000 000
Deadline:February 17, 2026
Open

Innovative pathways for low carbon and climate resilient building stock and built environment (Built4People Partnership)

HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions

Budget:€15 000 000
Deadline:February 17, 2026
Open

Innovative tools and services to manage and empower energy communities

HORIZON Innovation Actions

Budget:€15 000 000
Deadline:February 17, 2026
Open

Innovative solutions for a generative AI-powered digital spine of the EU energy system

HORIZON Innovation Actions

Budget:€15 000 000
Deadline:February 17, 2026
Open

Optimal combination of low embodied carbon construction products, technical building systems and circularity principles for climate neutral buildings (Built4People Partnership)

HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions

Budget:€15 000 000
Deadline:February 17, 2026
Open

De-risking wave energy technology development through transnational pre-commercial procurement of wave energy research and development

HORIZON Pre-commercial Procurement

Budget:€15 000 000
Deadline:February 17, 2026
Open

Underground Thermal Energy Storage in dense urban areas

HORIZON Innovation Actions

Budget:€15 000 000
Deadline:February 17, 2026
Open

Innovative space-based applications enhancing capabilities for a resilient Europe

HORIZON Innovation Actions

Budget:€5 000 000
Deadline:February 24, 2026
Open

Space Data Economy

HORIZON Innovation Actions

Budget:€5 000 000
Deadline:February 24, 2026
Forthcoming

Supporting the Network of National Contact Points (NCPs) of the Digital Europe Programme

DIGITAL Coordination and Support Actions

Budget:€1 800 000
Deadline:March 3, 2026
Forthcoming

Consolidation of the Network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs with reinforced AI focus)

DIGITAL Simple Grants

Budget:€79 200 000
Deadline:March 3, 2026
Forthcoming

ELEVATE: European League of Advanced Digital Skills Academies

DIGITAL Coordination and Support Actions

Budget:€7 200 000
Deadline:March 3, 2026
Forthcoming

European Digital Media Observatory Hubs

Digital SME Support Actions

Budget:€6 000 000
Deadline:March 3, 2026
Forthcoming

Virtual worlds test beds

DIGITAL Simple Grants

Budget:€5 000 000
Deadline:March 3, 2026
Forthcoming

Completion of the initial Network of European Digital Innovation Hubs

DIGITAL Simple Grants

Budget:€8 000 000
Deadline:March 3, 2026
Open

Capacity Building Cap2b

I3 Project Grants

Budget:€9 800 000
Deadline:March 19, 2026
Open

Uptake of innovative cybersecurity solutions for SMEs

DIGITAL JU SME Support Actions

Budget:€15 000 000
Deadline:March 31, 2026
Open

Regional Cable Hubs

DIGITAL JU Simple Grants

Budget:€15 000 000
Deadline:March 31, 2026
Open

Coordinated preparedness testing and other preparedness actions

DIGITAL JU Simple Grants

Budget:€15 000 000
Deadline:March 31, 2026
Open

Cybersecure tools, technologies and services relying on AI

DIGITAL JU Simple Grants

Budget:€15 000 000
Deadline:March 31, 2026
Open

European VOD networks and operators

CREA Project Grants

Budget:€8 000 000
Deadline:April 8, 2026
Open

Creative Innovation Lab

CREA Project Grants

Budget:€7 021 561
Deadline:April 23, 2026
Closed

Empowering Truck Drivers – Revolutionizing European Logistics

PPPA Project Grants

Budget:€600 000
Deadline:November 4, 2025
Closed

Security of implementations of Post-Quantum Cryptography algorithms

HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions

Budget:€40 000 000
Deadline:November 12, 2025
Closed

New advanced tools and processes for Operational Cybersecurity

HORIZON Innovation Actions

Budget:€40 000 000
Deadline:November 12, 2025
Closed

Integration of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) algorithms into high-level protocols

HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions

Budget:€40 000 000
Deadline:November 12, 2025
Closed

Generative AI for Cybersecurity applications

HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions

Budget:€40 000 000
Deadline:November 12, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions About Telecommunications EU Grants

The European Commission offers a wide range of funding opportunities specifically designed for the Telecommunications sector. These include grants through Horizon Europe (the EU's flagship research and innovation programme with a budget of €95.5 billion), the European Innovation Council (EIC) which provides funding for breakthrough innovations, and various sector-specific initiatives. Funding types range from Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with 100% funding rates, to Innovation Actions (IA) with 70% funding for companies, and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) for networking and coordination activities. Our database helps you find grants that match your organization's specific needs, project stage, and funding requirements.
Applying for EU grants in the Telecommunications sector involves several key steps. First, use Grantalist to identify suitable open calls that match your project idea and organization type. Next, carefully review the call documentation, including eligibility criteria, evaluation criteria, and the work programme. Most EU grants require you to form a consortium with partners from at least 3 different EU member states or associated countries. Once ready, you'll submit your proposal through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, which includes a detailed description of your project, work packages, budget breakdown, and impact assessment. The evaluation process typically takes 3-5 months, after which successful applicants enter grant agreement preparation. We recommend starting your application at least 2-3 months before the deadline.
EU grants for the Telecommunications sector offer diverse funding levels depending on the programme and action type. Small-scale grants through programmes like EIC Accelerator can start from €500,000 up to €2.5 million in grant funding, plus up to €15 million in equity investment. Collaborative research projects under Horizon Europe typically range from €3 million to €10 million for standard projects, while some large-scale flagship initiatives can exceed €20 million. SMEs and startups often benefit from higher funding rates (up to 70% for Innovation Actions compared to large companies) and access to specialized instruments. The exact amount depends on the specific call topic, project scope, consortium size, and type of activities proposed.
Eligibility for Telecommunications EU grants extends to a wide range of organizations. Legal entities from EU member states and associated countries (including the UK for some programmes, Norway, Switzerland, and others) are typically eligible. This includes universities and research institutions, large enterprises and multinational corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 250 employees, startups and scale-ups, public bodies and NGOs, and international organizations. Some calls specifically target certain organization types, such as SME-only calls or academic-focused research grants. Third-country participation is possible in many programmes, though often without EU funding.