CEF launches call for proposals to improve European transport infrastructure

The call will be open from 17 September until 19 January 2022. The aim is to fund projects aimed at creating, modernising and improving European transport infrastructure in line with the European Commission’s vision of sustainable, smart and resilient mobility. It is seen as a good time to rebuild the sector now that it is recovering from the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, taking advantage of the opportunities offered by digital technologies.

Organization of the call for proposals

TEN-T core and comprehensive infrastructure projects – 10 calls (5 general and 5 in cohesion countries): Core network and comprehensive network (railways, inland waterways, sea and inland ports, roads, rail terminals and multimodal logistics platforms); safe mobility; intelligent and interoperable transport applications (ERTMS, ITS, SESAR, RIS, etc.); resilience of infrastructures. (5.175 M.)

New Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility implemented through a rolling call until 2023 (including fast-charging infrastructure for electricity and hydrogen on TEN-T road network) – 2 Calls (General and Cohesion Countries) with 5 closures every 5 months. (1.575 M.)

Adaptation of TEN-T to dual civilian-defense use (military mobility envelope) – 1 call. (330 M.)

Funding in the call

The degree of funding varies according to the thematic and type of project, but in general terms financial support will not exceed 30% for works/investments and 50% for studies. However, in some exceptional cases funding may reach 70%, or even go up to 85% in cohesion countries.

Application for the call for applications

• They may do so:
  • One or more Member State(s)
  • International organizations or public or private bodies established in an EU Member State, with the agreement of the Member State(s) concerned.
• Applicants must submit their proposal electronically through the Electronic Submission System of the Funding and Tendering Portal by 19 January 2022 at 17.00 CET.

Novelty of the call

The main novelty is that the applications are managed through the European Commission’s portal, no longer using the specific application of the CEF program. As a result of this change, CINEA has published 77 topics distributed in 7 thematic areas and organized in 10 sub-calls.

From ZABALA

Data relating to the CEF Transport program (2014-2020):

• Proposals submitted = 29
• Projects funded = 21 (success rate 70%)
• Return: 76 M€.
• With the CEF Transport Blending instrument 7 out of 7 financings (100% success rate) in the last call.

More information

An information day is scheduled for 27 September from 10.00 to 17.00 to resolve all doubts about the call for applications. To access, please register here.