Improving transport networks
Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Transport
CEF Transport, which is part of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), is a financing instrument that supports the improvement and strengthening of the Trans-European Network for Transport (TEN-T). By means of CEF Transport, the European Commission is building the core and comprehensive transport networks for goods and passengers in Europe. It is intended to connect all of the major hubs, transshipment terminals, ports, airports and cities. In the 2024 call, the General Envelope focuses on smart, interoperable, sustainable, multimodal, safe, and secure mobility. Expenditures for the completion of the TEN-T network will only be subsidized within the Cohesion Envelope.
In short
CEF Transport overview
For whom?
Government (national, provinces, municipalities)
Enterprises (port authorities, industrial, logistics and service-providing companies)
When to apply
Each year, a new call for proposals for CEF Transport is published. The most recent call was published on 24 September 2024. The call closes on 21 January 2025, at 5:00 pm.
How much?
From 2021 to 2027, CEF Transport has more than 25.8 billion euros available to support European projects. The CEF Transport call of September 2024 has a grant budget of 2.5 billion euros.
The grant amounts are as follows:
- Studies or study projects with pilot activities: up to 50% of project costs
- Implementation projects: up to 50% of project costs (with a maximum of 70% for implementation projects in outermost regions).
For what?
Unlike previous calls, the current call does not cover expenditures for the completion of the TEN-T network under the General Envelope. However, the call under the General Envelope does cover the following priorities:
- Actions related to smart and interoperable mobility;
- Actions related to multimodal mobility, such as short sea shipping and multimodal passenger hubs;
- Actions related to safe and secure mobility (e.g., climate resilience).
The Cohesion Envelope still includes the familiar CEF Transport priorities, as described in the table below.
Additionally, there will be two CEF AFIF calls in 2025.”
Your benefit
What does the CEF transport grant provide?
Meet the requirements
CEF Transport conditions
There are a number of terms of eligibility associated with this grant scheme, including the following:
To qualify for financial support from CEF Transport, your project must be designated as a project of common interest (PCI).
A project is only eligible for CEF Transport if it has been approved by the countries in which the implementers of the project are located.
EGEN tip
Start preparing a CEF Transport grant application on time. Besides a good justification of the project in the form of a project plan and budget, various statements from authorities should be attached.
In addition, prior to starting the application process, it can be useful to already carry out the cost-benefit analysis (mandatory for implementation projects) in order to gain insight into whether the project can qualify for the grant. EGEN has extensive experience with cost-benefit analyses in the context of the CEF Transport programme and can also support you in this phase of the application process.
Overview of
CEF Transport themes
Get in touch
What can EGEN do for you?
If you have ideas for a project that is a match for one of the CEF Transport themes, please tell us about them. We have already handled several successful CEF Transport grant applications and would be happy to help you too!
“The way in which we will travel and transport goods in the coming years is going to be more sustainable, and I am excited to be able to contribute to these physical changes. My perseverance in turning projects into a good-news story and bringing the right parties together is my main asset.”
Contact Simone Zwijnenberg →
Part of CEF Transport
CEF Transport AFIF
The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), part of CEF Transport, focuses specifically on innovation and improvements in the European alternative fuels infrastructure. AFIF’s rolling call for proposals will remain in force until 2023, as long as budget remains available.
Keep up to date
News
EGEN supports ProRail with successful LIFE application for nature-friendly vegetation removal along railway tracks
The new call of the European LIFE programme has been opened in April. LIFE is the European Union’s funding instrument for projects focused on nature, environment, climate, and the energy transition....
Two new Horizon calls published for sustainable energy
The European Commission's Horizon Europe Work Programme for 2023-2024 has allocated 188.6 million EUR to support sustainable energy projects within Cluster 5. This cluster covers the areas of...
Three tips for a successful EHB Auction proposal
The European Hydrogen Bank (EHB) is an initiative of the European Commission established in 2023 with the aim to support among other things the EU domestic renewable hydrogen production. At EGEN, we...