🏛 EU_PORTAL · 📍 EU
€500,000
18/6/2026
6/10/2026
Connecting Europe Facility
Rail – studies, works or mixed
Objective:
The objective of this call is to develop rail transport infrastructure projects on the TEN-T core [1] network
Scope:
Works and / or studies related to:
Priority will be given to projects fostering the development of high-speed rail in line with the Commission communication on high-speed rail [2]
Support will not be given to railway stations, except for railway infrastructure components. If the project includes such components, they shall be presented as a separate work package. Support will not be given to track side ERTMS deployment, electronic interlockings and/or Class A radio communication (5G/FRMCS/GSM-R) components. Support will not be given to activities related to the Class B systems nor to rolling stock.
Projects shall comply with the provisions of Directive (EU) 2016/797 [3] and with the related Technical Specifications for Interoperability. Where relevant, projects shall also be compatible with the alignment of operating procedures across borders to ensure the most effective use of the supported infrastructure.
In case a proposal combines studies and works components, these must address different sections / activities.
Facilities and infrastructure supported under CEF must be accessible for use by all operators on a non-discriminatory basis.
described in section 5 of the call document.
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
described in section 6 of the call document.
described in section 6 of the call document.
described in section 7 of the call document.
described section 8 of the call document and the Online Manual.
described in section 9 of the call document.
described in section 4 of the call document.
described in section 10 of the call document.
Application form templates
Standard application form — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Amended Work Programme 2021-2027 - 5 June 2026
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
CINEA Guide for Economic Appraisal for CEF Projects
DG REGIO CBA Economic Appraisal Vademecum
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions
Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement
Decision on unit costs for SME owners
Decision on unit costs for personnel (usual cost accounting practices)
For help related to this call, please contact CINEA-CEF-TRANSPORT-CALLS@ec.europa.eu
Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ – Submission of proposals.
IT Helpdesk – Contact the IT helpdesk for questions such as forgotten passwords, access rights and roles, technical aspects of submission of proposals, etc.
Online Manual – Step-by-step online guide through the Portal processes from proposal preparation and evaluation to reporting on your ongoing project. Valid for all 2021-2027 programmes.