Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
The Connecting Europe Facility is a key EU funding instrument to promote growth, jobs and competitiveness through infrastructure investment at European level.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
Both, studies and works, topics under this call aim to enable PCIs and PMIs to be implemented within the framework of the deployment of trans-European networks in the energy sector. In particular, the call shall contribute to supporting energy infrastructure PCIs and PMIs that have significant socio-economic benefits and ensure greater solidarity among Member States, but which do not receive adequate financing from the market.
Projects supported by this call pursue the goals and objectives of the European Green Deal, as well as the Paris Agreement and the 2030 climate and energy targets and long term decarbonisation objectives. Therefore, financial assistance provided under this call for proposals should maximise its added value towards decarbonisation of the energy sector. The European Grids Package underlines the critical importance of energy infrastructure in the energy transition.
The objective of studies and works is to support and contribute to the implementation of PCIs and PMIs.
Detailed Call Description
CEF-E-2026-PCI-PMI-STUDIES
This topic refers to projects for studies contributing to the preparation of the implementation of a PCI or a PMI. Studies in the meaning of CEF Energy include activities needed to prepare project implementation, such as preparatory, mapping, feasibility, evaluation, testing and validation studies, including in the form of software, and any other technical support measure, including prior action to define and develop a project and decide on its financing, site / route identification and preparation of the financial package.
Only projects contributing to PCIs and PMIs as identified in the Second Union list of PCIs and PMIs shall be eligible for support through EU financial aid in the form of grants.
Pursuant to Article 18 of the TEN-E Regulation, PCIs or PMIs falling under the energy infrastructure categories set out in Article 24 and Annex II of the TEN-E Regulation are eligible for EU financial assistance in the form of grants for studies. Please note that failure to comply with the eligibility criteria indicated above will lead to the rejection of the application.
CEF-E-2026-PCI-PMI-WORKS
This topic refers to projects for works contributing to the implementation of a PCI or a PMI. Works in the meaning of CEF-Energy include the purchase, supply and deployment of components, systems and services including software, the development, construction and installation activities relating to the eligible infrastructure items of a given PCI or PMI, the acceptance of installations and the launching of a project.
In particular, specific provisions apply in relation to, inter alia, the existence of significant positive externalities, a cross-border cost allocation decision, and the project’s inability to be financed by the market or through the regulatory framework. Specific co-funding rates may also apply according to the level of demonstrated positive externalities of the action.
Only projects contributing to PCIs and PMIs as identified in the Second Union list of PCIs and PMIs shall be eligible for support through EU financial aid in the form of grants.
Pursuant to Article 18(2) and (3) of the TEN-E Regulation, PCIs/PMIs falling under the categories set out in Article 24 (derogation for gas interconnections in Cyprus and Malta) and in Annex II, point (1)(a), (b), (c), (d) and (f) (electricity projects, except smart electricity grids and electricity storage projects that are not regulated) and point (3) (hydrogen projects), are also eligible for Union financial assistance in the form of grants for works if they fulfil all of the following criteria:
- the project specific cost-benefit analysis drawn up pursuant to Article 16(4), point (a), of the TEN-E Regulation provides evidence concerning the existence of significant positive externalities, such as security of supply, system flexibility, solidarity or innovation;
- the project has received a cross-border cost allocation decision12 pursuant to Article 16 of the TEN-E Regulation or, as regards projects of common interest falling under the energy infrastructure category set out in point (3) of Annex II (hydrogen projects), where they do not fall under the competence of national regulatory authorities and therefore they do not receive a cross-border cost allocation decision, the project aims to provide services across borders, brings technological innovation and ensures the safety of cross-border grid operation;
- the project cannot be financed by the market or through the regulatory framework in accordance with the business plan and other assessments, in particular those carried out by possible investors, creditors or the national regulatory authority, taking into account any decision on incentives and reasons referred to in Article 17(2) of the TEN-E Regulation when assessing the project’s need for Union financial assistance.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
50% for both studies and works
75% if the project provides a high degree or regional or EU wide security of supply, strengthens the solidarity of the EU or comprises highly innovative solutions as defined in the ΤΕΝ-Ε Regulation.
Thematic Categories
- Energy
- Environment and Climate Change
- Information and Communication Technologies
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
Eligibility for Participation
- Businesses
- Central Government
- International Organisations
- Large Enterprises
- Legal Entities
- Legal Entities under Public Law
- Private Bodies
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- Semi-governmental organisations
- Services Providers
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
- State-owned Enterprises
Eligibility For Participation Notes
In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must:
- be legal entities (public or private bodies)
- be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
- EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs))
- non-EU countries associated to the CEF Programme or countries which are in ongoing negotiations for an association agreement and where the agreement enters into force before grant signature
Legal entities established in a third country which is not associated to the CEF shall exceptionally be eligible to receive Union financial support under the CEF where this is indispensable for the achievement of the objectives of a given PCI or PMI.
Other entities may participate in other consortium roles, such as associated partners, subcontractors, third parties giving in-kind contributions, etc. (see section 13 of the call document)
Specific cases
Exceptional funding — Entities from other countries (not listed above) are exceptionally eligible for projects of mutual interest and projects of common interest in the field of transport, energy and digital and for cross-border projects in the field of renewable energy, if the granting authority considers their participation essential for the implementation of the action.
Natural persons — Natural persons are NOT eligible (with the exception of selfemployed persons, i.e. sole traders, where the company does not have legal personality separate from that of the natural person).
International organisations — International organisations are eligible. The rules on eligible countries do not apply to them.
Entities without legal personality — Entities which do not have legal personality under their national law may exceptionally participate, provided that their representatives have the capacity to undertake legal obligations on their behalf, and offer guarantees for the protection of the EU financial interests equivalent to that offered by legal persons.
EU bodies — EU bodies (with the exception of the European Commission Joint Research Centre) can NOT be part of the consortium.
Countries currently negotiating association agreements — Beneficiaries from countries with ongoing negotiations (see above) may participate in the call and can sign grants if the negotiations are concluded before grant signature (with retroactive effect, if provided in the agreement).