What this call funds
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:
- Construction/upgrading of cross-border and missing links;
- Interconnections between rail and other modes of transport, namely inland waterway and maritime transport (including port hinterland connections) and projects aimed at the integration of the high-speed rail and air networks to make the feeder network for long-haul flights more sustainable.
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.
[1] For the purpose of this call, project proposals located on the extended core network are not eligible.
[2] COM(2025) 903 final of 5 November 2025.
[3] Directive (EU) 2016/797 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the interoperability of the rail system within the European Union (OJ L 138, 26.5.2016, p. 44) which replaces Directive 2008/57/EC as of 31 October 2020.
Eligibility & conditions+
Conditions
1. Admissibility conditions: Proposal page limit and layout
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.
2. Eligible countries
described in section 6 of the call document.
3. Other eligibility conditions
described in section 6 of the call document.
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion
described in section 7 of the call document.
5a. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes
described section 8 of the call document and the Online Manual.
5b. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds
described in section 9 of the call document.
5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement
described in section 4 of the call document.
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants
described in section 10 of the call document.
Call document and annexes:
CEF-T-2026-CORECOEN
Application form templates
Standard application form — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Detailed budget table per WP
Letter of support/MS agreement
Timetable (Gannt Chart)
Simplified CBA calculator
Full CBA cash flow template
Environmental compliance file
Additional documents:
Amended Work Programme 2021-2027 - 5 June 2026
CEF Regulation 2021/1153
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
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)
Source: EU Funding & Tenders Portal · synced 2026-06-30