Electricity, Gas, Smart Grids, Hydrogen and CO₂ networks - Works

CEF-E-2026 is a CINEA-managed Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Energy call offering €600,000,000 (2026 tranche) to co-finance construction works for Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs) listed in the Second Union list. Eligible applicants are legal entities established in EU Member States or CEF-associated countries, including transmission and distribution system operators, public authorities, international organisations and private promoters, and proposals must demonstrate project maturity, an up-to-date cost-benefit analysis and, where applicable, a cross-border cost allocation decision or national authority evaluation under TEN-E Article 18. Standard co-financing is up to 50% of eligible costs with enhanced rates up to 75% for actions demonstrating high regional or Union-wide security of supply or innovation (70% for outermost regions), submissions are single-stage via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, and the deadline is 30 September 2026 at 17:00 CET.

What it funds

Scope and objective (short)

Grants for works that implement Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs) in the trans-European energy networks. Eligible activities include purchase, supply and deployment of components and systems (including software), construction and installation works, commissioning and launch of infrastructure items that form part of PCIs/PMIs. Only projects listed in the Second Union list of PCIs/PMIs and those meeting TEN-E Article 18 criteria are eligible.

Expected policy impact:Further integration of the internal energy market, cross-border interoperability, decarbonisation, energy efficiency and security of supply; alignment with the European Green Deal and Paris Agreement ¹

1. 1Who can apply: Member States, international organisations, public or private undertakings or bodies and, with Member State agreement, other entities; beneficiaries must be legal persons registered in eligible countries (see call).
2. 2Key eligibility for works: project must be a PCI/PMI on the Union list and meet Article 18 TEN‑E requirements (up‑to‑date cost‑benefit analysis, CBCA decision or national authority evaluation as applicable, demonstration of lack of market/regulatory financing).
3. 3What is not funded: acquisition of property rights (easements), land purchases (generally ineligible), and activities outside the PCI/PMI scope.

Application and process:single-stage submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal. Proposals must include the application form Part B, detailed budget table per WP and mandatory annexes (CBA, CBCA or national evaluation, business plan, TEN‑E compliance form, environmental compliance file, letters of support/MS agreement) according to the call document. Proposals requesting grants for works that fail to provide legally valid supporting documents at submission may be ineligible ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1Call topic page and documents, including full call text, templates and Portal submission: EU Funding & Tenders Portal — CEF-E-2026-PCI-PMI-WORKS.

Call and Administrative Summary

Call identifier:CEF-E-2026. Programme: Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) 2 Energy — Projects of Common and Mutual Interest 2026. Type of action: CEF Infrastructure Projects (CEF-INFRA). Type of MGA: CEF Action Grant Budget-Based (CEF-AG). Opening date: 30 April 2026. Deadline: 30 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time (single-stage call). Indicative total call budget (2026 tranche): €600,000,000. Implementing entity for grants: European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA).

Scope, Objective and Strategic Context

Scope:Grants for works (construction/installation/purchase/supply/deployment of equipment, systems and software, commissioning and launching) that contribute to the implementation of Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) or Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs) listed in the Second Union list of PCIs and PMIs under the TEN-E Regulation. Objective: support and contribute to implementation of PCIs/PMIs across electricity, gas, smart electricity/gas grids, hydrogen infrastructure, CO2 transport and storage, and electricity storage where eligible, with particular emphasis on cross-border benefits, security of supply, system flexibility, innovation and decarbonisation. Strategic context: aligned to TEN-E Regulation (EU) 2022/869, CEF Regulation (EU) 2021/1153 and the Multi-Annual Work Programme (MAWP). The call aims to maximise the EU added value toward European Green Deal, Paris Agreement and 2030 climate and energy targets.

Eligibility restrictions and core legal references:only projects that contribute to PCIs/PMIs listed in the Second Union list are eligible for grants for works; additional eligibility criteria derive from Article 18 and Article 16 of the TEN-E Regulation (cross-border cost allocation decision — CBCA — where required; up-to-date project-specific cost-benefit analysis; business plan and evidence of lack of market financing or regulatory financing; for smart grids, smart gas grids and CO2 projects a national authority evaluation is required demonstrating positive externalities and lack of commercial viability). Proposals failing to provide legally valid supporting documents at submission risk being ineligible.

Expected impact and outcomes:The financial assistance is expected to further develop and implement PCIs/PMIs and contribute to TEN-E and CEF energy policy objectives: integration of the internal energy market, cross-border and cross-sector interoperability, decarbonisation, energy efficiency and security of supply. Projects must demonstrate significant socio-economic benefits, cross-border solidarity and maximise added value towards decarbonisation. The call prioritises projects that strengthen security of supply, system flexibility, solidarity, innovation and market integration.

Detailed Answers to Categorisation and Structured Extraction

Eligible Applicant Types:Eligible applicants are legal entities established in eligible countries: Member States, overseas countries and territories where applicable, and third countries associated to the CEF programme (or negotiating association agreements if they enter into force before grant signature). Eligible applicant types explicitly include: public bodies (including Member State organisations), transmission system operators (certified TSOs), project promoters (public or private undertakings and bodies), joint undertakings, international organisations and private companies. Specific roles: project promoter or PCI/PMI promoter should be involved; applicants can include regional or local authorities, DSOs, TSOs, operators, infrastructure owners, EPC contractors (as subcontractors) and private investors implementing the project. Natural persons are not eligible except self-employed sole traders acting as legal persons. Entities from third countries not associated to CEF may participate only where indispensable for the achievement of the PCI/PMI objectives, but they generally cannot receive CEF funding unless strictly necessary and explicitly permitted by the call/work programme.

Funding Type:Primary financial mechanism: Grants (budget-based action grants). The call offers budget-based actual cost grants which may include unit cost, flat rate, lump sum or combinations where applicable under Annex 2 and the Model Grant Agreement. The CEF also allows blending operations in other contexts, but this specific topic provides grants for works.

Consortium Requirement:Consortium composition: proposals may be submitted by one or more Member States or, with their agreement, by international organisations, joint undertakings, public or private undertakings or bodies, including regional/local authorities. There is no mandatory multi-country consortium requirement in all cases, but for projects with cross-border elements the relevant cross-border cost allocation decisions and Member State agreements will be required. The call accepts single-beneficiary proposals where appropriate, or consortiums where multiple promoters are involved. Therefore the default is 'single-stage submission' and 'single or consortium' depending on project set-up and eligibility.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):Geographic eligibility: EU Member States (including OCTs where applicable) and non-EU countries associated to the CEF programme. Entities established in third countries not associated to CEF may participate only exceptionally if indispensable to achieve the objectives of a given PCI/PMI; such participants generally cannot receive CEF grant funding except where expressly authorised. The call and the CEF Work Programme include provisions for participation of candidate countries, acceding countries, potential candidates and certain neighbouring countries under negotiated association conditions.

Target Sector:Thematic sectors targeted: energy infrastructure sectors across electricity, gas, hydrogen, smart electricity grids, smart gas grids, CO2 transport networks and storage (CCS/CCR) and electricity storage (including battery and pumped hydro — regulated or non-regulated as per TEN-E rules). The call also interfaces with digital components needed for smart grids and energy system digitalisation. Projects for cross-border renewable energy (CB RES) are supported in parallel calls for studies/works under the MAWP but this specific topic funds works contributing to PCIs/PMIs in the energy domain.

Mentioned Countries:Explicit countries mentioned in the topic text or annexes: Cyprus, Malta, Member States generally, and examples across EU corridors (e.g. references to Member States in TEN-T corridors) and reference to third countries where relevant. The call applies across the EU and associated countries; specific project location must be on territory covered by the Second Union list of PCIs/PMIs or the listed cross-border renewable projects. If a project involves third countries they must be eligible under CEF association rules and the project must justify involvement. The work programme and call documentation reference all EU Member States and indicates special derogation rules for Cyprus and Malta in gas interconnections (Article 24 of TEN-E).

Project Stage:Expected project maturity: Implementation/works stage (construction, procurement and commissioning). This topic funds 'works' rather than studies; eligible projects must be PCIs/PMIs already identified and sufficiently mature for works funding. Projects may require prior CBCA decisions and up-to-date cost-benefit analysis and business plans, so maturity is typically late development, ready-for-construction or construction and commissioning phases. Studies and preparatory activities are funded under the dedicated STUDIES topic (CEF-E-2026-PCI-PMI-STUDIES).

Funding Amount:Indicative funding available in this call: €600,000,000 (call budget year 2026 tranche). Funding rates (typical maxima) depend on action type: up to 50% of eligible costs for studies and many types of works; specific ceilings and higher co-financing (up to 75%) may be available where projects demonstrate a high degree of regional or Union-wide security of supply, strengthened solidarity or highly innovative solutions, or where outermost regions apply (up to 70% for works in outermost regions) or other special cases set in the Work Programme and TEN-E Article 18. Final grant amounts are determined in the Grant Agreement and may be lower than requested. The call and Model Grant Agreement establish detailed budget categories and eligibility rules.

Application Type:Submission method: Open call for proposals via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal (electronic submission only). Single-stage application (one submission). Applicants must use the Portal Application Form (Part A & Part B) and upload mandatory annexes (detailed budget table per WP, TEN-E compliance form, environmental compliance file, CBCA decision or national authority evaluation where applicable, project-specific CBA, business plan, Letters of support / Member State agreement, timetable/Gantt chart, and other templates provided in the Submission System).

Nature of Support:Beneficiaries receive monetary support in the form of grants (reimbursement of eligible costs at the specified funding rate). Non-monetary support (advisory or technical assistance) may be available via other CEF actions but not as part of this WORKS topic. The call also requires non-financial deliverables and compliance obligations (environmental compliance file, TEN-E compliance form, CBA, CBCA or national authority evaluation documents).

Application Stages:Number of application stages: 1 (single-stage submission for proposals). Evaluation process includes admissibility and eligibility checks, operational capacity and award criteria evaluation (individual expert evaluation, consensus and panel). Successful proposals are invited to grant agreement preparation which includes legal entity validation, financial capacity checks, possible request for pre-financing guarantees and finalisation of the Grant Agreement. Therefore programmatically there are multiple administrative stages (1 submission + evaluation + grant preparation) but a single submission stage for applicants.

Success Rates:Success rates: not published for this specific call; depend on number, quality and maturity of applications and available budget. Historically, CEF PCI/PMI works calls are highly competitive with final success rates varying by call and topic; applicants should assume a low-to-moderate success probability and prepare high-quality, fully documented applications meeting all eligibility criteria.

Co-funding Requirement:Co-funding required: yes. Grants reimburse a percentage of eligible costs (co-financing principle). Applicants must demonstrate stable and sufficient sources of funding to carry out the project and their share of financing (business plan, financing commitments, letters of support, national funding agreements). The maximum EU co-financing rate depends on action type and specific criteria (Article 15 of the CEF Regulation, Article 18 of TEN-E and MAWP). Applicants must provide evidence of lack of commercial viability or funding gap for works where required and show how the grant will address that gap.

Application Templates, Required Annexes and Administrative Documents

Application forms and templates are provided in the Funding & Tenders Portal Submission System. Applicants must fill Part A (administrative forms online) and upload Part B (technical description) using the Portal templates. The following annexes are mandatory for this call (uploaded in the Submission System in the designated annex slots): detailed budget table per Work Package (Excel template), Standard application form (CEF-E Part B template), TEN-E compliance form (signed), Environmental Compliance File (including development consent information, EIA/SEA/Habitats/WFD documentation as applicable), project-specific Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA), cross-border cost allocation decision (CBCA) where required or national authority evaluation under Article 18(4) for smart grids/gas/CO2 and non-regulated storage/hydrogen projects, business plan and financing assessments, Letter of Support / Member State agreement (Member State endorsement template), timetable (Gantt) template, list of previous projects / annual activity reports (if applicable), Letter of Support/Member State Agreement template and any national approvals referenced in the TEN-E Compliance form. See Annexes and templates available in the Portal submission area and MAWP call document.

1. 1Application Form Part A (online): administrative data, participants, budget summary.
2. 2Application Form Part B (upload PDF): technical description (max 120 pages), work packages, impact, maturity, quality, catalytic effect, risk management, environmental compliance.
3. 3Detailed Budget Table per WP (Excel): required and must match online summary budget.
4. 4Cost-Benefit Analysis (up-to-date, project-specific) and Business Plan: mandatory for works and for CBCA decision requests.
5. 5Cross-Border Cost Allocation Decision (CBCA) or national regulatory authority evaluation (Article 18(4)) where applicable (signed and legally valid at time of submission).
6. 6TEN-E Compliance Form (signed) and Letter of Support / Member State Agreement (when applicable).
7. 7Environmental Compliance File (EIA/SEA/Habitats/WFD declarations, development consent status).
8. 8Timetable (Gantt), CVs of core team (if requested), list of previous projects and annual activity reports (if applicable).

Evaluation, Award Criteria and Grant Conditions

Evaluation steps:admissibility checks, eligibility checks (including verification of legal validity of CBA, CBCA or national authority evaluation), financial and operational capacity assessments, independent external expert evaluation (individual), consensus and panel review. Awarding is based on scored criteria with minimum thresholds and overall pass score. After selection applicants enter grant preparation (legal entity validation, financial capacity checks, possible requirement for prefinancing guarantees and signing of Model Grant Agreement).

Award criteria, scoring and thresholds:Five award criteria (each scored 0-5; individual thresholds 3/5; overall pass score 15/25): (1) Priority and urgency of the action (policy alignment, EU added value, contribution to 2030/2050 targets, cross-border dimension and PMI indispensability), (2) Maturity (readiness to start and completion timetable, permits, procurement readiness), (3) Quality (technical and financial implementation plan, governance, risk management, quality control), (4) Impact (economic, social, environmental, climate impacts, positive externalities such as security of supply, system flexibility, solidarity, innovation; need to overcome financial obstacles; cross-border benefits), (5) Catalytic effect of Union assistance (financial gap, capacity to mobilise public/private co-financing, leverage and transformative effect). Additional mandatory demonstration for works: projects requesting grants for works must demonstrate significant positive externalities in line with Article 18(2) and (4) of the TEN-E Regulation and provide legally valid supporting documentation (CBA, CBCA or national authority evaluation and business plan/evidence of lack of commercial viability).

Scoring and ranking:proposals that pass individual thresholds and overall pass score are ranked; ties are broken using priority order (Priority & urgency, Maturity, Catalytic effect, Impact, Quality). Successful proposals are invited to grant preparation; invitations are not formal commitments until legal checks and Grant Agreement finalisation are complete.

Key Compliance and Eligibility Details Applicants Must Provide

Mandatory and legally sensitive documents at submission (works proposals) include:fully updated project-specific CBA prepared pursuant to Article 16(4) of the TEN-E Regulation; legally valid cross-border cost allocation decision (CBCA) pursuant to Article 16 of TEN-E where applicable, or where CBCA cannot be issued for hydrogen/non-regulated assets, a national regulatory authority confirmation/evaluation and a demonstration that the project provides services across borders, brings technological innovation and ensures safety of cross-border grid operation; business plan and assessments demonstrating lack of market/regulatory financing (financial gap); TEN-E compliance form signed by promoter; environmental compliance file with development consent status and EIA/appropriate assessments where applicable; Letter of Support/Member State Agreement where required. Absence of these legally valid supporting documents at submission may render proposals ineligible.

Financial and operational capacity checks:requested documents during grant preparation include profit & loss, balance sheets, audit reports, bank account verification, activity reports, proof of prior experience. Certified TSOs and public bodies have exceptions. If financial capacity insufficient, the granting authority may require prefinancing guarantees, joint & several liability, staged prefinancing, or may refuse prefinancing or request replacement of coordinator.

Eligible and ineligible costs and funding rates:Eligible costs follow Article 16 of the CEF Regulation and Article 189 Financial Regulation: personnel, subcontracting, purchases (equipment, travel, other goods/services), other categories (financial support to third parties if authorised), and category-specific items (studies, synergetic elements, works in outermost regions, land purchase where allowed). Indirect costs may be reimbursed as specified in Annex 2 (often 0% flat-rate in CEF). VAT is not eligible. Purchases and subcontracted work must normally be performed in eligible countries or target countries as required by the call. Maximum co-financing rates depend on sector and category (studies up to 50%; works typically up to 50% with possible increases to 75% for high regional/Union security of supply or major innovation; outermost regions up to 70% etc.). Detailed eligible cost rules and budget categories are set out in the Model Grant Agreement (CEF MGA) and Annex 2 templates.

Practical Guidance and Templates

Key templates and documents are available for download from the Portal Submission System and Reference Documents: call document, Model Grant Agreement (CEF MGA), standard application form (CEF-E Part B), detailed budget table per WP (Excel), TEN-E compliance form template, environmental compliance file template, letter of support / Member State agreement template, timetable (Gantt) template, GIS (interactive map) user guide and the optional financial spreadsheet template for business plans (non-mandatory). The submission system provides the exact Part B template to be used and the Annex upload slots. Applicants must use the Portal Submission System’s Part B template and upload annexes in the format required (PDF for most annexes; Excel for Detailed Budget Table per WP).

1. 1Start submission via Funding & Tenders Portal: choose CEF-INFRA, CEF-AG model and confirm.
2. 2Register all participants in the Participant Register and obtain PIC codes (LEAR for organisations).
3. 3Complete Application Form Part A in the Portal (online).
4. 4Download Part B template from Submission System, complete with work packages, WP tables, deliverables and upload as PDF (max 120 pages).
5. 5Complete and upload mandatory Annexes in designated slots (DB table Excel, TEN-E form, Environmental Compliance File PDF, CBA, CBCA or national authority evaluation PDF, Business Plan PDF, Letter of Support MS agreement PDF, Gantt/Timetable PDF, GIS data through the GIS editor).
6. 6Submit before the deadline and keep evidence of submission confirmation email.

GIS submission:interactive GIS editor in the Portal must be used to provide location data for the proposal (lines, points, polygons). The call provides a GIS User Guide and acceptable geometry types for energy PCIs, CB RES, transport and RenewFM. Applicants can upload shapefiles (WGS 84), GPX, KML or CSV or draw geometries directly in the editor. Use the GIS tool to visualise PCIs, corridors and supporting map layers.

Assessment and Award Timeline (Indicative)

Opening:30 April 2026. Submission deadline: 30 September 2026 (17:00 Brussels). Indicative evaluation period: September 2026 — January 2027. Information to applicants: January — February 2027. Grant agreement preparation and signature: January/February — July 2027 (at latest). Projects should not start before the starting date set in the Grant Agreement unless specifically authorised; retroactive start may be exceptionally permitted but normally not earlier than the proposal submission date except where MAWP allows.

Checks, audits and control:Selected proposals enter grant preparation and will be subject to legal entity validation, exclusion checks, financial capacity assessment (where applicable), and operational capacity checks. The Commission, CINEA and the Court of Auditors, OLAF and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) have rights of access for checks, audits and investigations. Beneficiaries must keep records for at least five years after final payment (three years for grants below a low threshold); documentary evidence must be provided upon request. Certificates on financial statements (CFS) may be required where the requested EU contribution per beneficiary meets thresholds (CFS threshold conditions in Article 24 of the MGA/Data Sheet).

Financial arrangements:prefinancing is normally paid after entry into force or guarantee provision (30 days from entry into force / financial guarantee, whichever is latest). Interim payments may occur, capped by interim payment ceiling; final payment follows the final periodic report and eligibility verification. Prefinancing guarantees and joint & several liability regimes may be required depending on financial capacity assessments. No-profit rule applies: grants must not generate profit; any profit will be deducted proportionally to the EU contribution.

Key Risks and Common Reasons for Rejection:Frequent reasons for ineligibility or rejection: failure to provide legally valid and up-to-date CBA; failure to provide legally valid CBCA decision where required; missing or non-legally-valid national authority evaluation for smart grids/smart gas/CO2 or non-regulated storage/hydrogen projects under Article 18(4); incomplete business plan or absence of evidence of lack of market financing where required; missing TEN-E compliance form or Member State endorsement where requested; environmental permitting not addressed or lacking required documentation; application not falling within PCI/PMI scope; incorrect or inconsistent budget figures (online summary must match Excel DB table); failure to demonstrate operational and financial capacity where applicable.

Final Summary — What is this opportunity about and how to approach it

This CEF 2026 call topic CEF-E-2026 provides grants for works to implement Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs) in the energy sector in order to accelerate European energy infrastructure investments that deliver cross-border benefits, decarbonisation, system flexibility and security of supply. Eligible projects must be included in the Second Union list of PCIs/PMIs and meet the legal criteria of the TEN-E Regulation, in particular Article 18 for grants for works: an up-to-date CBA demonstrating significant positive externalities, a cross-border cost allocation decision (CBCA) where required or an equivalent national authority evaluation for certain categories, and convincing evidence that the project cannot be financed by the market/regulatory framework. Projects should align with EU priorities (European Green Deal, 2030 targets) and demonstrate tangible catalytic effects, leverage of co‑funding and deliverability. Applicants must submit a single-stage application on the Funding & Tenders Portal, using the standard Part A and Part B application forms and upload the mandatory annexes (detailed budget per WP, TEN-E compliance form, environmental compliance file, CBA, CBCA/national authority evaluation, business plan, Member State letter of support where required, Gantt/timetable and GIS data). The evaluation follows transparent award criteria (priority, maturity, quality, impact, catalytic effect) with minimum per-criterion thresholds and overall pass score. Successful applicants will enter grant preparation and signature of the CEF Model Grant Agreement, after legal and financial checks. For full compliance, follow the call document, MAWP, TEN-E Regulation provisions and the portal guidance carefully and allow time to assemble legally valid supporting documents (CBAs, CBCA decisions or national authority evaluations and Member State agreements). For assistance contact the CINEA call mailbox and use the Portal Online Manual and templates.

Footnotes

1. 1For questions related to this call contact CINEA-CEF-ENERGY-CALLS@ec.europa.eu or consult the Funding & Tenders Portal topic page and Online Manual for submission guidance.

Funding Opportunity Overview

The European Commission, through the Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), has launched a major call for proposals to support cross-border energy infrastructure projects across the European Union. This call is part of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Energy programme and specifically targets Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs) that require construction works and physical infrastructure development. The call represents the first opportunity under the newly adopted second list of PCIs and PMIs, which was published in April 2026 and includes 235 selected cross-border energy infrastructure projects.

Call Reference:CEF-E-2026

Total Available Budget:€600,000,000 for the 2026 call, with an overall CEF Energy budget of €5.88 billion allocated for the 2021-2027 programming period ¹

Submission Deadline:30 September 2026 at 17:00 CET (Brussels time)

Call Opening Date:30 April 2026

What This Funding Supports

This call specifically funds construction works and physical implementation activities for cross-border energy infrastructure projects. Works in the context of CEF Energy include the purchase and supply of components, systems and services including software, development and construction activities, installation of infrastructure elements, acceptance of installations and project launch. The funding supports projects in the following energy sectors: electricity transmission and distribution, smart electricity grids, smart gas grids, hydrogen infrastructure and electrolysers, carbon dioxide transport networks, and gas interconnections with special provisions for Cyprus and Malta.

Projects must be included in the Second Union List of PCIs and PMIs to be eligible. PCIs are key cross-border infrastructure projects that link or significantly impact the energy systems of two or more EU countries. PMIs link energy infrastructure of one or more EU countries with neighbouring non-EU countries. The call prioritises projects that contribute to decarbonisation, market integration, security of supply, and the achievement of EU 2030 climate and energy targets.

Eligibility Criteria

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include public or private legal entities established in EU Member States, overseas countries and territories, or non-EU countries associated with the CEF programme. This encompasses transmission system operators, distribution system operators, energy companies, public authorities, international organisations, and joint undertakings. Entities from third countries not associated with CEF may exceptionally participate if their involvement is indispensable for achieving the project objectives.

Applicants must register in the EU Participant Register and undergo validation by the Central Validation Service before proposal submission. Natural persons are not eligible except self-employed persons operating as sole traders. EU bodies, with the exception of the European Commission Joint Research Centre, cannot participate in consortia.

Project-Specific Eligibility Requirements for Works

Projects requesting grants for works must meet specific criteria depending on their infrastructure category. These requirements are established under Article 18 of the TEN-E Regulation (EU 2022/869) and vary based on project type ².

For electricity projects (except smart grids), hydrogen projects, and gas interconnections in Cyprus and Malta, applicants must provide: (1) a project-specific cost-benefit analysis demonstrating significant positive externalities such as security of supply, system flexibility, solidarity or innovation; (2) a cross-border cost allocation decision from relevant national regulatory authorities, or for non-regulated hydrogen projects, confirmation that hydrogen is not regulated in their jurisdiction; and (3) a business plan and assessments proving the project cannot be financed by the market or through the regulatory framework.

For smart electricity grids, smart gas grids, and carbon dioxide transport projects, applicants must provide: (1) a project-specific cost-benefit analysis; (2) an evaluation from the relevant national authority clearly demonstrating significant positive externalities and lack of commercial viability; and (3) a business plan with clear evidence of lack of commercial viability. For unregulated electricity storage projects, requirements follow the same approach as smart grids projects.

For Cyprus and Malta gas interconnection projects, additional requirements apply including demonstration of conversion to dedicated hydrogen assets by 2036 if market conditions allow, with a precise timeline roadmap. Eligibility for these projects ends on 31 December 2027 or when direct interconnection to the trans-European gas network is achieved, whichever is earlier.

Geographic Scope

Projects must take place in eligible countries. For PCIs, activities must involve at least two EU Member States or one Member State and an associated country. For PMIs, activities must involve at least one EU Member State and one neighbouring non-EU country. All project activities must comply with EU law and relevant EU policies on competition, environmental protection, state aid and public procurement.

Funding Rates and Financial Terms

Standard Co-Financing Rate:50% of total eligible costs for works relating to electricity, gas and hydrogen infrastructure

Enhanced Co-Financing Rates:Up to 75% for actions demonstrating high regional or Union-wide security of supply benefits, strengthening EU solidarity, or comprising highly innovative solutions. For projects in outermost regions, rates can reach 70%.

Grant Form:Budget-based mixed actual cost grants that reimburse eligible costs actually incurred, including unit costs and flat-rate elements as specified in the Grant Agreement

Grants may be combined with other sources of financing under conditions specified in the CEF Regulation. Management costs shall not exceed 10% of total eligible costs per action. Prefinancing may be provided in instalments or with guarantees depending on financial capacity assessment. The project end date cannot be later than 31 December 2032, though extensions may be granted if justified.

Mandatory Documentation and Requirements

All proposals must include the following mandatory documents, which must be submitted electronically through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. Paper submissions are not accepted. Proposals are limited to a maximum of 120 pages for Part B (technical description).

• Application Form Part A (administrative information, submitted online)
• Application Form Part B (technical project description, maximum 120 pages)
• Detailed budget table per work package (Excel format)
• Timetable or Gantt chart showing project timeline
• Letter of support or Member State agreement from concerned Member States
• Environmental compliance file with supporting declarations
• TEN-E compliance form confirming permit granting process compliance
• Project-specific cost-benefit analysis (CBA) using ENTSOG/ENTSO-E methodology
• Cross-border cost allocation (CBCA) decision or equivalent documentation
• Business plan and financial assessments demonstrating lack of commercial viability
• Annual activity reports (for certain applicant types)
• List of key previous projects (last 4 years)

The environmental compliance file must address compliance with the EIA Directive (2011/92/EU), SEA Directive (2001/42/EC), Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), and Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC). Declarations must be signed by competent national authorities. The TEN-E compliance form must confirm that project notifications have been submitted to competent authorities, public participation concepts have been prepared, public consultations have been conducted, and project information has been published.

Financial and Operational Capacity Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate stable and sufficient financial resources to implement projects and contribute their share. Financial capacity will be assessed during grant preparation based on documents such as profit and loss accounts, balance sheets, business plans, and audit reports. The assessment applies to all beneficiaries except public bodies, international organisations, transmission system operators certified under EU directives, and requests under €60,000.

Applicants must also demonstrate operational and technical competencies required to complete the proposed action. This is assessed through descriptions of consortium participants, activity reports, and lists of previous comparable projects. Public bodies, Member State organisations, transmission system operators, and international organisations are exempted from operational capacity checks. If operational capacity is found satisfactory during the Quality criterion evaluation, the applicant is considered to have sufficient capacity.

Evaluation and Award Process

Proposals undergo a single-stage submission and one-step evaluation process. An evaluation committee assisted by independent external experts will assess all applications. Proposals are first checked for admissibility and eligibility. Those found admissible and eligible proceed to evaluation against operational capacity and five award criteria through three phases: individual evaluation, consensus phase, and panel review.

Award Criteria and Scoring

The overall threshold for funding is 15 points out of a maximum of 25 points. Proposals must pass individual thresholds (minimum 3 points per criterion) AND the overall threshold to be considered for funding. For proposals with identical scores, priority is determined by: Priority and Urgency score, then Maturity score, then Catalytic Effect score, then Impact score, and finally Quality score.

For works proposals, demonstrating significant positive externalities in line with Article 18 of the TEN-E Regulation may be sufficient to reach the minimum passing score of 3 under the Impact criterion. For hydrogen projects not regulated at national level, the project must demonstrate it aims to provide services across borders, brings technological innovation, and ensures safety of cross-border grid operation.

Timeline and Key Dates

Exclusion Criteria

Applicants subject to EU exclusion decisions or in specific exclusion situations cannot participate. These situations include bankruptcy or similar procedures, breach of social security or tax obligations, grave professional misconduct, fraud, corruption, links to criminal organisations, money laundering, terrorism-related crimes, child labour, human trafficking, significant deficiencies in complying with EU contract obligations, irregularities under Regulation 2988/95, or creation under different jurisdiction to circumvent legal obligations.

Applicants will also be refused if they misrepresented information required for participation, failed to supply required information, or were previously involved in call preparation in a way that distorts competition. Entities subject to EU restrictive measures under Articles 29 TEU and 215 TFEU cannot participate in any capacity. Entities subject to EU conditionality measures under Regulation 2020/2092 cannot participate in funded roles.

Strategic Context and Policy Alignment

This call is aligned with major EU policy initiatives including the European Green Deal, REPowerEU Plan, European Grids Package, and the Competitiveness Compass for Europe. Projects must contribute to achieving the EU's 2030 climate and energy targets and the 2050 climate neutrality objective. The call emphasises the critical importance of energy infrastructure in the energy transition and the need to strengthen cross-border energy networks to ensure affordable, secure and sustainable energy for all Europeans.

Particular consideration is given to projects that further integrate the internal energy market, end energy isolation, eliminate electricity interconnection bottlenecks, and contribute to the 15% interconnection target by 2030. The call also prioritises projects contributing to synchronisation of electricity systems with EU networks, stepping up investment in offshore electricity grids to reach at least 300 GW of offshore wind generation, and reflecting the expected increase in consumption of biogas, renewable and low-carbon hydrogen, and synthetic gaseous fuels.

How to Submit

All proposals must be submitted electronically through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal (Funding and Tenders Portal). Applicants must create accounts and register in the Participant Register before submission. The submission system requires completion of Application Form Part A online and Part B downloaded from the system, completed, and re-uploaded along with all mandatory annexes.

Coordinating applicants must confirm they have the mandate to act for all applicants and that all information is correct and complete. Each beneficiary and affiliated entity will later sign a declaration of honour confirming compliance with eligibility conditions. Proposals must be readable, accessible and printable. The application must be submitted before the deadline; late submissions will not be accepted.

Support and Further Information

For questions related to this call, applicants should contact CINEA-CEF-ENERGY-CALLS@ec.europa.eu. A virtual CEF Energy info day will be held on 18 May 2026 to present the call, explain policy context, and inform about application and evaluation processes. Registration is available on the Portal.

Additional guidance is available through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal Online Manual, which provides step-by-step guidance through proposal preparation and evaluation. The EU Grants AGA (Annotated Grant Agreement) contains detailed annotations on all Grant Agreement provisions including cost eligibility, payment schedules, and accessory obligations. Applicants are also encouraged to consult the list of previously funded CEF projects for reference.

For IT-related issues such as forgotten passwords, access rights, or technical aspects of submission, applicants should contact the IT Helpdesk through the Portal. The Funding and Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions and Privacy Statement provide additional important information about participation and data handling.

Key Considerations for Applicants

Applicants should note that invitation to grant preparation does NOT constitute a formal commitment for funding. Legal entity validation, financial capacity assessment, and exclusion checks must still be completed before grant award. Grant agreement preparation involves dialogue to fine-tune technical and financial aspects and may require additional information or adjustments to address evaluation committee recommendations.

Proposals must demonstrate clear alignment with the Second Union List of PCIs and PMIs. Activities must fall within the scope of the project as defined in this list and further specified in technical documentation. Projects must comply with all EU law requirements and relevant EU policies. Applicants should ensure that supporting documents such as cost-benefit analyses, business plans, and environmental compliance files are legally valid at the time of submission.

For works proposals, particular attention must be paid to demonstrating significant positive externalities and lack of commercial viability as required by Article 18 of the TEN-E Regulation. The evaluation will assess whether proposed projects demonstrate evidence of security of supply benefits, system flexibility improvements, solidarity among Member States, or innovation. Applicants should provide comprehensive documentation supporting these claims, as proposals failing to provide relevant supporting documents or providing documents that are not legally valid may not be eligible.

Footnotes

1. 1The CEF Energy programme for 2021-2027 has a total budget of €5.88 billion. The 2026 call allocates €600 million, with additional calls planned for 2025, 2027 and subsequent years. The budget includes €430 million transferred back from CEF Transport to CEF Energy for the 2025-2027 period.
2. 2Article 18 of the TEN-E Regulation (EU 2022/869) establishes different eligibility criteria for different infrastructure categories. Electricity projects (except smart grids), hydrogen projects, and gas interconnections require a CBCA decision and demonstration of significant positive externalities. Smart grids, smart gas grids, and CO2 projects require evaluation by national authorities demonstrating significant positive externalities and lack of commercial viability. Unregulated electricity storage projects follow the same requirements as smart grids projects.