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

October 30, 2025 (opens) | February 11, 2026 (deadline)

€700,000 lump sum | Indicative project duration: 24 months

Supports coordinated deployment of the next-generation FRMCS railway telecom system across Europe through technical, managerial, and stakeholder engagement actions.

Only one project will be funded under this call.

--- ## Description This grant aims to facilitate the coordinated, Europe-wide deployment of the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS), which will replace the obsolete GSM-R system with a new 5G-based telecommunications standard. The action will support the European FRMCS Deployment Group and its dedicated subgroup by providing programme management, capacity mapping, cost and risk analysis, stakeholder engagement, technical expertise, development of deployment guidelines, and creation of a European deployment dashboard. The objective is to ensure sector-wide synchronisation, address operational and financial risks, and lay the groundwork for a seamless transition to digital railway telecommunications. --- ## Due Dates - Planned opening date: October 30, 2025 - Application deadline: February 11, 2026, 17:00 Brussels time Only one project will be funded under this call. --- ## Funding Amount - Total indicative budget: €700,000 (lump sum grant) - Indicative project duration: 24 months (longer or shorter durations may be proposed with justification) - Private Members of EU-Rail in consortia must provide in-kind contributions of at least 1.26352 times the funding request. --- ## Eligibility - Open to legal entities established in EU Member States and associated countries as described in [Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf). - Non-EU/non-Associated Countries may participate under specific provisions (see [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf)). - Proposals must reflect aggregated expertise in railway sector R&I, leveraging the EU-Rail Master Plan and Multi-Annual Work Plan. - Only one project will be funded under this topic. --- ## Application Process - Single-stage submission. - Applications open via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-JU-ER-2025-EXPLR-04?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - Use the specific [application form for CSA](https://eur06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Frail-research.europa.eu%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F10%2FTpl_Application-Form-Part-B-HORIZON-EURAIL-CSA.pdf&data=05%7C02%7CIsabel.Mendoza-Abril%40rail-research.europa.eu%7C3e77b5b97b0c41b7accb08de04df2bdb%7Cbcfe75f290a54d168c623261618820aa%7C0%7C0%7C638953553719432943%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=yOhKc12Lxo9%2B2zpy8DkKAkSq0Ph2l5rz2zLhAqowv14%3D&reserved=0). - Maximum proposal length: 70 pages. - Evaluation criteria and award process are detailed in [Annex D](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf) and the [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual). --- ## Additional Information - The action will strongly interact with EU-Rail Flagship Area 2, the System Pillar, and related working groups. - Eligible costs are covered as a lump sum under the Horizon Europe lump sum model. - Gender dimension integration is not mandatory for this topic. - The grant may have a retroactive starting date if justified in the application. --- ## External Links - [EU Funding & Tenders Portal – Topic Details](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-JU-ER-2025-EXPLR-04?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [EU-Rail Work Programme 2025-2026](https://rail-research.europa.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/GB-Decision_02-25_WP2025-2026_amendment1_Clean-1.pdf) - [EU-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) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) - [General FAQ](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/faq) - [Partner Search Tool](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/how-to-participate/partner-search?order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=lastModified&isExactMatch=true&type=ORGANISATION,PERSON&frameworkProgramme=43108390) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Option | Details | |------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Funder General Contact | [European Commission Contact Page](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Funder Phone | +32 2 299 11 11 | | EU-RAIL JU Call Helpdesk | [info-call@rail-research.europa.eu](mailto:info-call@rail-research.europa.eu) (queries accepted until January 28, 2026, 17:00 Brussels time) | | National Contact Points (NCPs)| [Find your NCP](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | | IT Helpdesk | [IT Helpdesk Contact Form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) |

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