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Overview
CEF Digital supports connectivity infrastructure of European interest. Its scope includes backbone networks, submarine cables, 5G applications and quantum communications. It is an infrastructure route, so the fit depends on the network and deployment project rather than a startup's general technology sector.
Start with the infrastructure asset and delivery partners.
Is this for you?
Success rates — the honest picture
Eligibility
- 1Match the exact infrastructure topic and eligible entity requirements.
- 2Check geographic scope, security conditions and any Member State support or agreement required by the topic.
- 3Demonstrate delivery capacity and financing for costs not covered by the grant.
CEF Digital targets connectivity infrastructure and deployment. A software startup needs a role that meets a specific call, not simply a digital product.
The current call targets public organisations such as emergency agencies, coastguards or navies. The relevant Member State must confirm the applicant’s mandate in its Letter of Support.
The action funds modular cable-repair equipment. Applicants should identify at least three compatible vessels and hosting arrangements able to install the modules rapidly; this is an operational infrastructure project.
What the support covers
The programme allocation covers many infrastructure projects over several years. Award sizes and co-financing rates are defined per call, not by a standard startup grant.
Different works, studies and connectivity topics use different conditions. The broader programme’s advertised rates are not a substitute for this topic’s grant agreement.
How to apply — step by step
- 1Find a current connectivity topicBefore submission
Read the multiannual programme and HaDEA call materials.
Official instructions - 2Check consortium and national requirementsBefore finalising partners
Use the relevant national contact, especially for security guarantees or infrastructure conditions.
Official instructions - 3Submit and manage the grantCall and agreement timetable
Use the portal’s topic forms; retain technical, financial and delivery evidence.
Official instructions
What evaluators look for
Connectivity and topic fit
Match the project to a published connectivity topic and its expected outcomes.
Eligibility and security
Confirm applicant, location, ownership/control and security requirements in the topic documents.
Evaluation
Use the selected call’s award criteria, weights and thresholds.
Documents you'll need
€40M envelope, geographic scope, public emergency-response mandate and 25 November 2026 deadline.
- Contains:
- €40M envelope, geographic scope, public emergency-response mandate and 25 November 2026 deadline.
- Why:
- Consult the current issuing-body version for this route.
- When:
- Before selecting the topic and again before submission.
Current call document, annexes and electronic submission; use the portal version for binding conditions.
- Contains:
- Current call document, annexes and electronic submission; use the portal version for binding conditions.
- Why:
- Consult the current issuing-body version for this route.
- When:
- Before selecting the topic and again before submission.
Broader infrastructure route, programme results and links to call-specific information days.
- Contains:
- Broader infrastructure route, programme results and links to call-specific information days.
- Why:
- Consult the current issuing-body version for this route.
- When:
- Before selecting the topic and again before submission.
Programme context; distinct connectivity routes and work-programme updates.
- Contains:
- Programme context; distinct connectivity routes and work-programme updates.
- Why:
- Consult the current issuing-body version for this route.
- When:
- Before selecting the topic and again before submission.
Official work-programme landing page; retrieve its current attachments.
- Contains:
- Official work-programme landing page; retrieve its current attachments.
- Why:
- Use the issuing body’s current version when preparing an application.
- When:
- Before submission
Calls, implementation information and funded-project updates.
- Contains:
- Calls, implementation information and funded-project updates.
- Why:
- Use the issuing body’s current version when preparing an application.
- When:
- Before submission
Country contacts, including security-guarantee contacts.
- Contains:
- Country contacts, including security-guarantee contacts.
- Why:
- Use the issuing body’s current version when preparing an application.
- When:
- Before submission
Official examples of funded connectivity projects.
- Contains:
- Official examples of funded connectivity projects.
- Why:
- Use the issuing body’s current version when preparing an application.
- When:
- Before submission
Submission, grant preparation, reporting and audit processes.
- Contains:
- Submission, grant preparation, reporting and audit processes.
- Why:
- Use the issuing body’s current version when preparing an application.
- When:
- Before submission
Amended dates; €40M envelope; expected project contribution; 50% funding; eligibility, security exceptions, required annexes and evaluation.
- Contains:
- Amended dates; €40M envelope; expected project contribution; 50% funding; eligibility, security exceptions, required annexes and evaluation.
- Length:
- 30 pages; timetable p. 11, application pp. 12–13, eligibility pp. 13–17, funding p. 22
- Why:
- Official application conditions and evidence for this route.
- When:
- Check the current version before submission.
Control assessment and declarations for restricted EU calls.
- Contains:
- Control assessment and declarations for restricted EU calls.
- Why:
- Official application conditions and evidence for this route.
- When:
- Check the current version before submission.
2026 Deadlines
- 2026-06-232026-06-23Cable-repair works call opens
The HaDEA news item was published on 18 June; the call fiche gives 23 June as the application opening.
- 2026-11-25T17:00:00+01:002026-11-25T17:00:00+01:00Cable-repair capacity deadline
17:00 CET, Europe/Brussels; verified in the amended call fiche dated 29 September 2026.
- Per grant agreementPer grant agreementProcurement, deployment and readiness milestones
The selected action’s grant and technical plan determine delivery and payment timing.
- December 2026–February 2027 — indicativeDecember 2026–February 2027 — indicativeProposal evaluation
Issuer timetable; may change.
- Spring 2027 — indicativeSpring 2027 — indicativeEvaluation results
Invitation to grant preparation is not a signed grant.
- Summer 2027 — indicativeSummer 2027 — indicativeGrant agreement signature
Normal project duration is up to 24 months; final dates are set in the agreement.
After you're funded
The grant agreement sets deliverables, pre-financing, eligible costs and reporting. The Online Manual explains the portal workflow, recordkeeping and audits.
Practical notes
Start with the infrastructure asset and delivery partners. A promising technology is not enough without an eligible deployment and a credible financing plan.
Official sources checked on 12 October 2026. Calls can be amended; confirm the current terms and exact submission time in the linked official documents.
Before writing a grant proposal, distinguish the eligible public applicant from a technology or equipment supplier. Procurement participation and direct grant eligibility are different paths.
Use the forms inside the portal submission system. Submit Part A, Part B (maximum 120 pages), a budget per work package, timetable/Gantt chart, prior-year activity report unless exempt, and key projects from the last four years. Add support letters from every benefiting Member State confirming public status and emergency mandate, security declarations, ownership/control declarations for associated partners and subcontractors, and approved guarantees where applicable.
Plan for costs outside the maximum 50% EU share. The expected €20M request is not the €40M call envelope. Five criteria each require 3/5: priority/urgency, maturity, quality, impact and catalytic effect; the overall threshold is 15/25. Passing thresholds does not guarantee an award.
Normally up to 24 months. No financial support to third parties is allowed. Grant preparation fixes the maximum contribution and delivery schedule; the fiche normally provides up to 30% pre-financing, subject to the grant terms and any guarantee.
Key Features
Official links & resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Infrastructure operators, technology providers and public or private partners involved in an eligible connectivity project. A general SaaS product without a connectivity-infrastructure role is a poor match.
The programme allocation covers many infrastructure projects over several years. Award sizes and co-financing rates are defined per call, not by a standard startup grant.
The current cable-repair capacity topic closes on 25 November 2026 at 17:00 Brussels local time. Check eligibility and the portal call document; future CEF connectivity rounds have separate calendars.
The current call targets public emergency-response bodies with Member State confirmation. A startup should first assess a partner or supplier role with an eligible operator; it should not assume ordinary SME eligibility.
No. €40M is the call envelope. The fiche expects around €20M EU contribution per project, with a maximum 50% eligible-cost funding rate. The grant agreement fixes the award.
The 2026 works call sets no minimum consortium size. Public status, emergency-response mandate, Member State support, control and security conditions still apply; a solo commercial startup does not become eligible simply because one applicant is permitted.
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