The GÉANT Project

For over 25 years, the GÉANT Project has connected Europe’s research and education communities, delivering the network infrastructure, collaboration services, and innovation.

GN5-2

GN5-2 is the latest phase of the GÉANT Project. The 30-month project, which officially started on January 1, 2025, is funded under the GN5-FPA, the 72-month strategic framework within Horizon Europe – the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation.

GN5-2 delivers faster, more resilient, and secure connectivity infrastructure alongside enhanced collaboration services. This includes the procurement of new above-the-net services, innovative Identity and Access Management (IAM) infrastructure, and support for Open Science. The project strengthens network security, expands NREN services beyond traditional research communities, and prepares for emerging technologies, such as sensing applications, Quantum, and Time and Frequency distribution, while fostering international collaborations to extend Europe’s global connectivity.

Explore GN5-2 deliverables and white papers

GN5-2 is organised around nine Work Packages covering 42 tasks.

  • WP1: Project Management
  • WP2: Marketing Communications, Events, and Policy Engagement
  • WP3: User and Stakeholder Engagement
  • WP4: Above-the-Net Services
  • WP5: Identity & Access Management (IAM)
  • WP6: Network Development
  • WP7: Network Infrastructure, Service Evolution, and Operations
  • WP8: Security
  • WP9: Operations Support

Download the highlights of Period 1 of the GN5-2 project

GN5-IC1

Started in December 2022, GN5-IC1 is the ambitious project that implements the first phase of a new intercontinental connectivity investment programme to further support the European research and education community.

With 25% of GÉANT backbone traffic originating outside Europe, the project addresses a growing need.

Co-funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe, the project will run until November 2026.

Learn about other GÉANT international projects

GN4-3N

Co-funded by the EU Horizon Europe 2020, GN4-3N took place from 2019 to 2023 alongside GN4-3, and delivered the most significant restructuring of the GÉANT backbone in a decade.

Discover more about GN4-3N

Previous GÉANT projects

Project documents of previous phases can be accessed via the following links:

GÉANT in numbers

38 Partners (including GÉANT Association)
1 Associated Partner (Switch)
43 Countries

In short

The GÉANT Project has grown during its iterations (GN1, GN2, GN3, GN3plus, GN4-1, GN4-2, GN4-3, GN4-3/N and GN5-1) to incorporate not just the award-winning pan-European network, but also a catalogue of advanced, user-focused services, and a successful programme of innovation that is pushing the boundaries of networking technology to deliver real impact to over 50 million users.

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