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NCP Flanders is conducting a short satisfaction survey to gather valuable feedback and suggestions on the NCP services. The survey is organised into three sections: NCP Flanders assistance, info sessions, and NCP Flanders website & LinkedIn. If you are not familiar with one of these sections, the survey will automatically guide you to the next section. The survey is fully anonymous and will remain open until 24 July 2026. The NCP Flanders team would greatly appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to fill in the survey and provide your opinion via this link. If you would like to get in touch NCP Flanders, please mail to info@ncpflanders.be
The EuCNC & 6G Summit 2026 in Málaga marked a clear turning point in Europe’s journey toward next‑generation connectivity. Under the theme “6G – Connecting Intelligence”, the event highlighted how Europe is moving from exploratory 6G research to large‑scale validation and early deployment. As one session put it, the priority now is to “accelerate the development of mature 6G technologies and demonstrate their value in real‑world environments” . For Flanders‑based stakeholders—researchers, companies, public authorities—the summit offered a preview of what the next years of European funding and policy will look like. Europe’s 6G Strategy: Integration, Validation, and Sovereignty A central message throughout the summit was the need to strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty in network technologies. The SNS Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) confirmed that the upcoming Work Programme 2027 (WP2027) will place greater emphasis on higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), large‑scale demonstrations, and market‑uptake activities. The first draft of WP2027 is expected in July 2026, with publication foreseen for December 2026 . Several strategic directions emerged: 6G in operational environments: Demonstrations will increasingly move out of the lab and into real‑world settings, with a focus on measurable impact. Microelectronics as a strategic pillar: The integration of 6G and microelectronics is seen as essential for Europe’s competitiveness, and interest in this topic was “strongly highlighted” by the community . AI‑native networks and quantum technologies: WP2027 will explicitly integrate AI and quantum topics, reflecting the convergence of digital technologies. Dual‑use considerations: Discussions noted a growing attention to technologies with both civil and defence relevance, such as satellite communications and fibre‑cable sensing for maritime monitoring. The cooperation between SNS JU and the Chips JU was repeatedly emphasised as a “key strategic area” for Europe’s future digital infrastructure, even though no formal joint calls are planned at this stage . Lessons Learned 1. Higher TRLs and Demonstrators Will Dominate Future Calls Projects that can show integration, validation, and early deployment will be favoured. This is a shift from exploratory research to applied innovation. 2. AI Is No Longer Optional Around 80% of current SNS projects already incorporate AI/ML mechanisms, underscoring the central role of AI‑native network design in 6G development . 3. Microelectronics Expertise Will Be in High Demand With Europe aiming to strengthen its semiconductor capabilities, Flemish actors active in chips, RF components, and device integration will find new opportunities—especially in cross‑JU alignment topics. 4. International Cooperation Will Expand WP2027 is expected to include cooperation with Taiwan and other global partners, opening doors for Flemish organisations with international ambitions. 5. Standardisation Matters More Than Ever The summit reiterated the need for Europe to “assure a leading role in standardisation bodies” to secure long‑term competitiveness . Opportunities: Evaluators Wanted SNS JU is actively seeking experts to evaluate upcoming project proposals. Profiles include industry specialists, researchers, network operators, start‑ups, and public authorities. Required expertise ranges from 5G/6G telecoms to microelectronics, AI, testbeds, and security. Evaluators must have at least five years of relevant experience and no conflicts of interest . Looking Ahead Europe is preparing for the transition from 6G research to 6G deployment. For Flemish organisations, this means new opportunities—but also the need to scale up, collaborate across disciplines, and engage early with the upcoming WP2027. The next months will be crucial as the draft programme becomes available and stakeholders are invited to provide feedback. Useful Links Explore the EuCNC & 6G Summit website: https://www.eucnc.eu/ Browse the 2026 programme: https://www.eucnc.eu/programme/ Interested in becoming an SNS JU evaluator? Visit the SNS JU website or contact NCP Flanders for guidance.
The European Commission is considering bringing forward the deadlines of part of the 2027 Horizon Europe health calls. This change is likely to happen for the two-stage 2027 health calls for which the deadline of the first stage will probably move from April to February 2027. It is not clear yet what the timing would then be for the opening of these calls (currently foreseen in February 2027).There is no clarity yet if the single-stage 2027 health calls will also be affected.NCP Flanders is wainting for confirmation of this information and for further details. We will keep you informed.
Important information for (potential) applicants to call topic HORIZON-MISS-2026-02-CANCER-07 – Improve the Quality of Life of Older Cancer Patients:Due to a clerical error, this topic was incorrectly configured as a lump sum action in the IT submission system, whereas it should be an actual costs action.To correct this issue, the submission system for this topic will be temporarily frozen. During this period, applicants will not be able to work on their draft proposals or work on new draft proposals.The European Commission will provide an update once the system has been correctly reconfigured.
EIT Culture & Creativity has opened its first funding calls as an implementing partner of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Academy, the learning and innovation infrastructure of the NEB. These two calls offer a total of €6 million to support circular fashion and skills development for the transformation of Europe’s lived environment. The NEB Academy "Fashion Shift" call has a total budget of up to €2.5 million, with up to €500,000 available per project. It is designed for multi-actor consortia that include independent fashion brands and seek to develop and scale responsible business models across the European fashion value chain, including material sourcing, design, retail, circular services and end-of-life management. The NEB Academy "Skills Infrastructure" call has a total budget of up to €3.5 million, with up to €600,000 per project. It seeks to support five trans-regional collaborations that build lifelong learning programmes rooted in local contexts, helping professionals, public bodies and educators develop the skills needed to transform the lived environment. Selected projects are also set to join EIT Culture & Creativity’s European network and the wider New European Bauhaus community. More information is available at this website. Please note that there will be info sessions on these calls on 24 June, 8 July and 10 July.
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The Department of Economy, Science and Innovation of the Flemish government coordinates the Horizon 2020 Coordination and Support Action SAPHIRe, which started on 1 December 2018. The aim of the project is to secure the adoption of personalised medicine in all European regions, including sparsely populated and remote regions and regions with different innovation capacities.
The activities of SAPHIRe are complementary to the smart specialisation partnership on personalised medicine – S3P4PM, which is also coordinated by the Department of Economy, Science and Innovation.
