Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)

Funding

Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)

CINEA

The Connecting Europe Facility is a key EU funding instrument to promote growth, jobs and competitiveness through infrastructure investment at European level.

What is this programme about?

CEF is an EU programme that invests in infrastructure at European level and supports the development of sustainable, interconnected and high performing trans-European networks. These are in the fields of transport, energy, and digital service. CEF aims to strengthen the synergies between the three to promote growth, jobs, and competitiveness.

Who can apply for CEF funding?

Collaborative consortia consisting of private or public legal entities from EU members states and associated countries with sufficient financial and operational capacity.

Key Facts

Who can apply

Collaborative consortia consisting of private or public legal entities from EU members states and associated countries.

Funding calls

Calls are published several times a year.

Purpose

To support the development of sustainable, high performing and interconnected trans-European networks in the transport, energy, and digital sectors.

Technology Readiness Level (TRL)

TRL4 – TRL8

Funding Amount

€1 million – €5 million
(typically)

Funding Rate

30% – 70%
(depending on organisation type and size)

Timeframe

8-12 months

Process

Single-stage online application

What are the key topics or sectors covered?

CEF is divided into three sectors: Transport, Energy and Digital.

CEF Transport focuses on cross-border projects bridging missing links in the Core or Comprehensive Networks and more generally on improved use, reduced environmental impact, enhanced energy efficiency and increased safety in Transport.

CEF Energy focuses on cross-border renewable energy projects, interoperability of networks and better integration of the EU energy market.

CEF Digital focuses on 5G for transport corridors and smart communities, digital global gateways, pan-European cloud networks, real-time data exchange, and quantum communication infrastructure.

Useful Resources

We have collated some useful resources if you are considering applying for CEF funding:

CINEA Overview

CEF Overview

Funding and tenders portal

Funded projects database

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Funding