Eligible applicants for the 6G-PATH Open Call include SMEs, startups, research and technology organizations (RTOs), academia, and telecom operators based in the European Union or Horizon Europe-associated countries, with a valid VAT and PIC number. Selected entities can apply for up to €300,000 under Track A (Infrastructure Deployment) and up to €60,000 under Track B (Infrastructure Software Extensions), with the funding being non-dilutive and requiring no equity exchange.

The grants are intended to support the deployment and integration of 6G infrastructure and advanced software solutions, with a focus on expanding testbeds, developing new technologies, and validating use cases across sectors such as Health, Education, Smart Cities, and Farming. Projects must align with B5G/6G standards, demonstrate scalability potential, and deliver measurable business and technological impacts.

Beneficiaries will receive technical and business support, including mentorship, specialized workshops, and assistance with deployment and integration testing. Funding is released in phases based on project milestones, starting with an initial pre-financing payment, followed by further installments linked to the successful delivery of intermediate and final reports. Proposals must adhere to data protection and ethical guidelines, especially when handling sensitive data or high-level computational infrastructures.

Track A focuses on establishing two new testbeds for validating advanced 6G infrastructure, while Track B supports 10 projects aimed at enhancing existing testbed services. Proposals should clearly outline objectives, expected outcomes, and how they meet the call’s innovation, impact, and scalability requirements.