[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

February 11, 2026

Up to €33.1 million total; single project expected; 60% funding rate; project duration 30 months (lump sum grant).

Funds a flagship project to develop and demonstrate next-generation digital and automated train operation technologies for European rail capacity, safety, and efficiency.

Only one flagship project will be funded; large, multi-actor consortia required.

--- ## Description This call supports a major, multi-partner innovation action under the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking, targeting the digitalization and automation of rail operations. The funded flagship project will develop and demonstrate next-generation Automatic Train Control (ATC) systems and related technical enablers, aiming to transform European rail operations across high-speed, urban, regional, and freight lines. The project will address modular ATC architectures, decoupling software from hardware, and ensuring backward compatibility and upgradeability for all automation levels. Key outcomes include large-scale demonstrations (up to TRL 7) of advanced automation, connectivity, train integrity, safe positioning, remote operation, virtual coupling, and more, with the goal of increasing rail capacity, reducing costs, improving safety, punctuality, flexibility, and energy efficiency, and supporting EU climate and mobility objectives. The action will be closely coordinated with the EU-Rail System Pillar and other flagship areas, and must provide technical solutions and demonstration results relevant to several other Europe’s Rail flagship areas. The project is expected to contribute to standardization, regulatory input, and the development of interoperable, scalable solutions for the European rail sector. --- ## Due Dates - **Full Proposal Deadline:** February 11, 2026 (17:00 Brussels time, single-stage submission) --- ## Funding Amount - **Total indicative budget:** €33,100,000 (one project expected to be funded) - **Funding rate:** 60% of eligible costs (lump sum grant) - **Project duration:** Indicative 30 months - **Consortium in-kind contributions:** Private Members of EU-Rail must contribute in-kind at a minimum ratio of 1.263 times their requested EU funding --- ## Eligibility - **Consortium composition:** - Minimum three independent legal entities from three different EU Member States or Associated Countries - Must include: - Rail infrastructure managers, railway undertakings, and urban light rail operators (to define use cases, host demonstrations, provide data and facilities) - Rail suppliers (system integrators, manufacturers, technology providers) - Research institutes and academia (to support planning, testing, evaluation, and scientific aspects) - SMEs and start-ups are strongly encouraged - **Eligible countries:** EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries (see [HE Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) for full list) - **Restrictions:** Entities established in China are not eligible for Innovation Actions; entities subject to EU restrictive measures or established in Russia, Belarus, or non-government controlled territories of Ukraine are ineligible - **Other:** Proposals must reflect the aggregated expertise needed to meet the call objectives and demonstrate European geographical representation --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Electronic submission via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-JU-ER-2025-FA2-01?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - **Single-stage call:** Full proposal only - **Proposal page limit:** 120 pages (see call-specific application form) - **Evaluation criteria:** Excellence, Impact, and Quality & Efficiency of Implementation (see [General Annexes](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf)) - **Award:** Only one flagship project will be funded under this topic - **Mandatory:** Consortium agreement required; compliance with EU data policy and open science requirements - **Key documents:** - [Call topic page and instructions](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-JU-ER-2025-FA2-01?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Application form template](https://rail-research.europa.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Tpl_Application-Form-Part-B-HORIZON-EURAIL-IA.pdf) - [Evaluation form](https://rail-research.europa.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Tpl_Evaluation-Form-IA-RIA.pdf) - **Partner search:** Use the [Portal’s partner search tool](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/how-to-participate/partner-search?frameworkProgramme=43108390) --- ## Additional Information - **Technical scope:** Project must deliver and demonstrate a wide range of ATC and digital automation enablers (see call text for full list), with focus on operational solutions for mixed traffic, high-speed, urban, and freight scenarios, including remote operation, advanced connectivity (FRMCS, satellite), automated train preparation, safe positioning, train integrity, new braking systems, virtual coupling, and more. - **Demonstration targets:** Solutions must reach up to TRL 7 by 2028 in key areas; large-scale demonstrations and system-level integration are expected. - **Standardization and policy:** Project must contribute to EU standardization (TSI), regulatory input, and deliverables for the EU-Rail System Pillar. - **Reporting:** Annual deliverables, monitoring of key performance indicators (KPIs), and regular reporting to the Joint Undertaking required. - **Data policy:** Compliance with EU Open Data Directive, Data Governance Act, Data Act, Interoperable Europe Act, and the EU-Rail data policy is mandatory. - **Gender dimension:** Integration of the gender dimension in R&I content is not mandatory for this topic. - **Ethics and security:** Projects must comply with Horizon Europe ethics and security requirements. --- ## External Links - [Call topic page (EU Funding & Tenders Portal)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-JU-ER-2025-FA2-01?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [European Commission – Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [General Annexes – Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf) - [Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking](https://rail-research.europa.eu/) - [Europe’s Rail Master Plan](https://rail-research.europa.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/EURAIL_Master-Plan.pdf) - [Multi-Annual Work Programme](https://rail-research.europa.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GB-Decision_03-25_Revised_MAWP_EU-Rail_MAWP_v4_Clean.pdf) - [Partner Search Tool](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/how-to-participate/partner-search?frameworkProgramme=43108390) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Details | |--------------|---------| | General queries | [info-call@rail-research.europa.eu](mailto:info-call@rail-research.europa.eu) | | Funder general contact | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | National Contact Points | [Find NCPs](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | | IT helpdesk | [Portal IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | For detailed guidance and support, consult the topic page and the [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual).

DIGITAL & AUTOMATIC UP TO AUTOMATED TRAIN OPERATIONS

Sign in to see full grant listing