CELTIC-NEXT Next Generation Communications Autumn 2025 call for proposals

Description

CELTIC-NEXT, the Eureka cluster focused on Next-Generation Communications, has launched their spring call for collaborative research and development project proposals.

CELTIC-NEXT, the Eureka cluster focused on Next-Generation Communications, has launched their spring call for collaborative research and development project proposals.

1. Sector of focus

Information and Communications Technologies (ICT)

2. Application deadline

Deadline to submit the full project proposal: October 24, 2025

3. How to apply

To apply, applicants must register through CELTIC's Online Project Portal. Please inform your IRAP Industrial Technology Advisor if you plan to submit a Project Proposal.

4. Related events

• CELTIC-NEXT Launch Event (online, recording available): July 17, 2025
• CELTIC-NEXT proposers' brokerage day: September 11, 2025 (Aveiro, Portugal)

5. Project funding

Eligible project participants in collaborative projects selected through this call for proposals may receive funding from their respective national funding body. Funds will be provided in accordance with the applicable laws, regulations, rules and procedures established by the relevant national funding body, country, jurisdiction and/or program.

Each project participant should contact their national funding agency early in the process and follow their advice regarding national funding applications in parallel to the proposal submission.

Some criteria are to apply when proposing; proposals need to:

• Be close to market and business needs
• Have at least 2 different partners from 2 different EUREKA countries for their project consortia (one must be a EUREKA Member Country and one another EUREKA Member country or EUREKA Associated Country)

6. Canadian funding eligibility

Canadian SMEs

In Canada, this call for proposals is offered through the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). NRC IRAP funding is only available for eligible Canadian small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Project participants who are not eligible for funding are welcome to participate on a self-funded basis.

• The Canadian applicant must meet all the following criteria:
  • be an incorporated, profit-oriented small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) in Canada (defined as having 500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees)
  • have been in operation for a minimum of 12 months prior to the project proposal deadline specified above
  • have a minimum of 5 full-time equivalent employees located in Canada (on your company payroll and issued a T4), excluding contract employees
  • pursue growth and profit by developing and commercializing innovative, technology-driven new or improved products, services or processes in Canada
  • have a differentiated and protectable technology with commercial potential in global markets
  • have the financial capacity (working capital, sales revenue, investment, etc.) and the operational capacity (personnel, expertise, resources, etc.) to undertake an international multi-year R&D collaboration while maintaining regular operations, and to subsequently commercialize the results
  • be committed to significant growth through international market expansion
• Preference may be given to SME applicants who meet the criteria below. If one or more criteria are unmet, a strong rationale must be provided in the Expression of Interest (EOI) form for possible consideration:
  • have a minimum of 15 full‑time equivalent employees located in Canada (on your company payroll and issued a T4), excluding contract employees
  • have commercialized one or more products internationally
  • have more than $500,000 CAD in annual sales revenue.

Canadian SME applicants must be eligible for funding as NRC IRAP clients before they can be considered for funding through the call for proposals. For more information on NRC IRAP eligibility and becoming an NRC IRAP client, please contact NRC IRAP at 1-877-994-4727.

Note: Canadian SME applicants may apply to more than one NRC IRAP funded call for proposals simultaneously. However, NRC IRAP limits the number of funded projects per applicant. Canadian SME applicants who are applying to more than one opportunity or who have ongoing NRC IRAP projects should speak to their NRC IRAP representative for more information.

Other Canadian organizations

Other types of Canadian organizations (e.g.: large corporations, non-profits, universities, research centres, etc.) may participate in CELTIC-NEXT projects, but need to secure funding from alternative sources or self-fund their project participation.

7. More information

Eureka's CELTIC-NEXT cluster, a transnational and industry-driven research, development and innovation program focusing on information and communications technology (ICT) and telecommunications, launches 2 calls per year for joint research and development (R&D) projects.

The CELTIC Core Group consists of 18 members from 10 countries mainly in the European telecoms industry, including: Adtran Networks SE, British Telecom, Deutsche Telekom, Ericsson, Eurescom, imec, Indra, Italtel, NETAS, Nokia, Orange-Labs, RAD Data Communications, SES, Telefonica, Telenor, Thales, Turkcell and Türk Telekom.