CEF – Backbone connectivity for Digital Global Gateways – 2026

Objective

To support the deployment or significant upgrade of backbone networks – in particular submarine cables but also terrestrial backbone networks and satellite infrastructure – that address risks, vulnerabilities and dependencies in the EU backbone infrastructure.

Among financed actions

• Works
• Studies

Eligibility

• Be legal entities (public or private bodies)
• Be established in one of the eligible countries:
  • EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories)
• Beneficiaries and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register before submitting the proposal

Additional information

• Initial duration of the action: up to 36 months

Extensions are possible, if duly justified and through an amendment.

• Contact: HADEA-CEFDIGITAL-CALLS@ec.europa.eu

Useful

• Guidelines: Click here
• Other call documents: Click here
• Executive Agency website: Click here
• More information: Click here

• Total budget of the call: 180 million euros
• Amount of the grant per topic:
  • CEF-DIG-2026-GATEWAYS-STUDIES: maximum 5 million euros per project
  • CEF-DIG-2026-GATEWAYS-WORKS: maximum 20 million euros per project

In exceptional cases, proposals may benefit from a higher grant amount of maximum 60 million euros (see details on the call document).

The grant awarded may be lower than the amount requested.

• Funding rate: between 30% and 70% of the total eligible costs