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

September 24, 2025 (17:00 Brussels time)

Total budget: €800,000 | Grant size varies by project; single-stage call

Supports projects training national judges (and court staff) in EU competition law to ensure consistent enforcement and enhanced judicial cooperation across member states.

--- ## Description This grant co-finances projects aimed at providing tailored training for national judges, prosecutors, apprentice judges, and court staff on the enforcement of European competition law, including both antitrust and state aid rules. The primary objectives are to enhance the knowledge and expertise of national judges, foster cooperation and networking among judiciary members across EU member states, and promote a coherent, consistent application of EU competition law in national courts. Eligible projects may include activities such as conferences, interactive seminars, workshops, joint study visits to EU courts, and the development of training materials for in-person, blended, or e-learning formats. The training scope covers a broad range of topics, including application of Articles 101 and 102 TFEU, procedural safeguards, damages actions, economic principles, competition law in regulated industries and digital markets, and the enforcement role of national courts in state aid cases. --- ## Due Dates - Application deadline: September 24, 2025, 17:00 Brussels time - Information session: June 20, 2025 (10:30–13:00 CET), online via WebEx --- ## Funding Amount - Total call budget: €800,000 (2025) - Single-stage application process - The number and size of grants awarded will depend on the quality and scope of proposals; individual grant amounts are not fixed and will be determined based on project needs and budget justification. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be legal entities established in eligible countries (see the [call document](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/smp/wp-call/2025/call-fiche_smp-comp-2025-judg_en.pdf) for details). - Target participants: national judges, prosecutors, apprentice judges, and staff of national courts dealing with competition cases in eligible countries. - Projects not addressing this target group from eligible countries will not be considered. - Proposals must demonstrate clear EU added value and address at least one thematic priority (see below). --- ## Application Process - Proposals must be submitted electronically via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/SMP-COMP-2025-JUDG?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=3&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - Required documents include: - Standard proposal template ([download template](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/smp/temp-form/af/af_smp-comp_en.pdf)) - Detailed budget ([download template](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/smp/temp-form/af/detailed-budget-table_smp-comp_en.xlsm)) - Refer to the [call document](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/smp/wp-call/2025/call-fiche_smp-comp-2025-judg_en.pdf) for admissibility, eligibility, evaluation, and award criteria. - For detailed instructions, consult the [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual). - An information session will be held online on June 20, 2025. --- ## Additional Information ### Thematic Priorities (Projects must address at least one; see call document for required minimum topics per priority) 1. **Application of Articles 101 & 102 TFEU and relevant secondary law** (e.g., concept of undertaking, dominance, block exemptions) 2. **Procedural safeguards and effective enforcement** (e.g., powers of competition authorities, cooperation between national courts and the Commission) 3. **National laws implementing Directive 2014/104 on antitrust damages actions** (e.g., disclosure of evidence, quantification of harm) 4. **Underlying economic principles of competition law** (e.g., economic reasoning, assessment of economic evidence) 5. **Competition law in regulated industries and digital markets** (e.g., Digital Markets Act, interplay with IP rights) 6. **State aid and the enforcement role of national courts** (e.g., notion of aid, exemptions, role of national courts in state aid enforcement) ### Eligible Activities - Conferences - Interactive seminars and workshops - Joint study visits to EU courts - Creation of training materials and tools for face-to-face, blended, or e-learning - Hands-on, case-study-based training referencing relevant EU case law and jurisprudence --- ## External Links - [Call information and submission portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/SMP-COMP-2025-JUDG?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=3&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Call document (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/smp/wp-call/2025/call-fiche_smp-comp-2025-judg_en.pdf) - [Standard proposal template (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/smp/temp-form/af/af_smp-comp_en.pdf) - [Detailed budget template (Excel)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/smp/temp-form/af/detailed-budget-table_smp-comp_en.xlsm) - [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) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | Call-specific queries | COMP-TRAINING-JUDGES@ec.europa.eu | | IT/Portal support | [IT Helpdesk contact form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | European Commission | [Contact page](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) |

Training of national judges in EU competition law

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