Objectives
Contributions of ENCORE-6G
ENCORE-6G fosters knowledge exchange and global collaboration through a multilateral approach. Its contributions lie in two dimensions: (i) advancing ISAC research to address challenges in 5G/6G deployment while strengthening research excellence at TUS, and (ii) building sustainable capacity and innovation in ISAC and 6G. Together, these efforts enhance TUS’s role as a high-quality research hub, promote international partnerships, support young researchers, and stimulate the EU’s ISAC and 6G innovation ecosystem.
1. Building strong international collaborations for TUS researchers to exchange knowledge and advance ISAC research toward 6G applications with societal impact.
Proposition
- International collaboration with TUW, SAL, and UC3M to advance interdisciplinary ISAC research towards 6G applications, supported by joint publications, workshops, and schools.
- Development of a shared co-design framework and research in ML-based network intelligence, RIS-enhanced ISAC, integrated sensing/localization/communications, and mono/bistatic/multistatic ISAC designs.
- Engagement of early-career researchers through joint projects, staff exchanges, Seasonal Schools, and cotutelle PhD programmes to build expertise and generate novel solutions.
- Establishment of thematic research subteams with access to advanced facilities, supported by makerspaces, seminars, and trainings to foster collaboration and innovation.
- Creation of an open online forum for ECRs and the wider research community to exchange ideas, tools, and best practices.
Key Exploitable Results and Key Performance Indicators
- KER 1.1 – Joint Research Publications
- Publications with researchers outside ENCORE-6G (journals and conferences).
- KPI: ≥3 joint research publications.
- KER 1.2 – Joint Research Proposals
- Collaborative proposals submitted to EU funding with external partners.
- KPI: ≥2 joint proposals/project grants submitted.
- KER 1.3 – Research Networks & International Collaboration
- Strengthening links between ENCORE-6G and the wider research community.
- KPIs:
- ≥15 participants in Seasonal Schools.
- ≥4 participants from outside ENCORE-6G.
- ≥4 Special Sessions jointly organised at international conferences.
- ≥2 invitations to research ventures (joint papers, TPC roles, proposal consortia, panelists).
- ≥5 invited presentations at international events not organized by ENCORE-6G.
2. Establish a top-tier interdisciplinary ISAC research group for 6G to close research gaps, build TUS expertise, raise research excellence, and create value in the field.
Proposition
- ISAC covers wireless communications, signal processing, mobile computing, AI/ML, advanced beamforming, networking architectures, protocols, and high-performance computing/recognition algorithms.
- ENCORE-6G unites TUS with TUW, SAL, and UC3M, leveraging diverse expertise, methodologies, data sources, and testbeds to advance ISAC research.
- Sensing and communication functionalities are jointly designed and optimized via shared hardware, spectrum, signal processing, and unified control frameworks.
- For TUS, the collaboration strengthens ML-based network intelligence, Open RAN management, and self-optimization capabilities.
- Workshops on scientific writing, academia, and standardization train ECRs in producing high-quality, reproducible, and globally recognized research outputs.
- The interdisciplinary team is positioned to pursue funding, evolve R&I activities, and increase research visibility during and after ENCORE-6G.
Key Exploitable Results and Key Performance Indicators
- KER 2.1 – Joint Research Publications
- Joint journal and conference publications advancing the state of the art in ISAC.
- KPIs:
- Journal publications: ≥5 (Q1/Q2 ranked)
- Conference publications: ≥10
- Journal publications with impact factor >5: ≥2
- Total citations for all ENCORE-6G publications: >100
- KER 2.2 – Researcher Impact & h-Index
- Increase visibility and scientific impact of TUS researchers and ECRs.
- KPIs:
- Accumulated citations per researcher: >5
- Number of researchers with increased h-index during ENCORE-6G: tracked per researcher
- KER 2.3 – Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
- Filing of IPR to protect research outputs and innovations.
- KPI: ≥1 IPR filed
3. To improve research, teaching and management capacity and administrative skills of TUS and
the other Beneficiaries
Proposition
- Build ISAC and 6G research capacity at TUS through interdisciplinary collaboration, pooling resources, and sharing expertise across ENCORE-6G partners.
- Leadership of specific ISAC areas improves essential research skills (goal-setting, data collection, analysis) and broadens methodological thinking via multimethod and cutting-edge approaches.
- Targeted training on ethics, equity, and inclusion integrated into research protocols.
- Introduce ISAC topics in lecture courses and enhance teaching skills via blended learning and problem-based research training.
- Develop administrative and coordination skills through training on research management and EU project administration.
- Workshops on academic careers and teaching portfolios enhance job application and teaching skills.
- Training on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) management fosters innovation, protects research outputs, and strengthens TUS’s IP portfolio to attract industrial and other funding.
- Workshop on Academia and Standardisation teaches the importance of standards, ethical research practices, and compliance with industry guidelines, supporting research integrity and industrial collaboration.
Key Exploitable Results and Key Performance Indicators
- KER 3.1 – Improved Academic Courses
- Enhance course content and delivery at TUS.
- KPI: Improved outcomes of course evaluations.
- KER 3.2 – Improved Teaching Portfolios
- Strengthen TUS researchers’ teaching credentials and visibility.
- KPI: Number of headhunters and recruiters approaching TUS researchers and academic staff.
- KER 3.3 – Stronger IP Portfolio
- Expand TUS intellectual property and engagement with industry and standardization.
- KPIs:
- IPR filed: ≥1
- Journal publications with impact factor >5: ≥2
- Initiated discussions with industry: ≥1
- Standardization events with ENCORE-6G participation: ≥3
- ENCORE-6G researchers nominated for leading roles in international fora: ≥2
4. Strengthening International Collaboration, Innovation, and Knowledge Exchange in 6G and ISAC
Proposition
- Strengthen cooperation, integration, and knowledge exchange with the international 6G research community, industry, and standardization bodies.
- Support research-industry-NGO ties through workshops, standardization activities, and participation in EU projects (RIA, MSCA, COST) and initiatives (One6G, AIOTI, IEEE ComSoC).
- Promote Open Science for wider outreach and engagement with other EU projects and networks.
- Attract participants to Special Sessions and Seasonal Schools to foster international collaboration.
- Establish collaborative makerspaces at Beneficiaries’ labs, virtually connected for idea sharing, teamwork, and long-term innovation culture.
- Organize a 1-week New Business Creation course to train researchers in sustainable technology commercialization and Business Model Innovation.
- Host Pitch-Your-Idea events to recognize and reward innovative initiatives, with emphasis on collaboration among Beneficiaries.
Key Exploitable Results and Key Performance Indicators
- KER 4.1 – Collaborative Research Ventures & International Visibility
- Foster joint research with external researchers and increase visibility of ENCORE-6G researchers.
- KPIs:
- Special Sessions at international conferences with external participation: >2
- Workshop proposals submitted to major conferences with ENCORE-6G researchers in leading roles (e.g., IEEE GLOBECOM, ICC, WCNC): >4
- ENCORE-6G researchers attending international research events: >10
- White papers with international communities: >3
- KER 4.2 – Collaboration with Local Incubators and Accelerators
- Engage researchers in innovation and entrepreneurial activities.
- KPI: ENCORE-6G researchers participating in Pitch-Your-Idea events: >4
- KER 4.3 – International Standardization Visibility
- Increase ENCORE-6G contributions to global 6G standardization initiatives.
- KPI: Contributions to standardization: >2
- KER 4.4 – Research Networks with EU-Funded Projects
- Strengthen links with EU-funded research communities.
- KPIs:
- Participants in Seasonal Schools from other EU projects: >4
- Workshops by EU-funded projects attended by ENCORE-6G: >3
5. To effectively disseminate and communicate ENCORE-6G project activities and results
Proposition
- Develop a comprehensive communication plan with defined audiences, goals, key messages, and tailored channels.
- Disseminate results via publications, website, social media, newsletters, blogs, videos, webinars, and public events, including EU-Researchers’ Night and a YouTube channel.
- Present activities at workshops, conferences, and public events to enable direct stakeholder interaction and knowledge exchange.
- Visualize data and results with infographics, charts, and images to improve clarity and engagement.
- Engage journalists and media outlets to raise public awareness and project visibility.
Key Exploitable Results and Key Performance Indicators
- KER 5.1 – Wide-Scale Visibility of ENCORE-6G
- Ensure broad dissemination and public awareness of ENCORE-6G activities and results.
- KPIs:
- Website visits: >1000
- Website posts: >40
- Publications: >15
- Newsletters: >12
- Media releases: >3
- Social media posts: >30
- Social media followers: >300
- Conferences/events featuring ENCORE-6G: >10
- Contributions to standardization: >2