Backbone connectivity for Digital Global Gateways - Studies

Studies related to the deployment or significant upgrade of backbone networks addressing risks, vulnerabilities and dependencies in the EU backbone infrastructure. The expected impact includes improved quality and maturity of future EU backbone network development, particularly Critical Physical European Infrastructures (CPEIs). Support is given to studies for deploying connectivity that connects at least two EU Member States, links Member States to their islands, outermost regions, or overseas territories, or connects Member States with third countries directly or via other cable infrastructures connected to the Union. Activities supported include all preparatory work before contracting suppliers (e.g. marine ground surveys, permit applications) and studies for future deployment projects of European interest.

Check your compatibility

Agency	CEF (EU)
Region	EU
Country	N/A
Legal form	Company, NGO, Government organization, Other
Start date	17 Mar 2026
End date	30 Jun 2026
Budget	180,000,000 EUR (2026 budget year)

Grant application conditions

Admissibility conditions	Described in section 5 of the call document.
Proposal page limits and layout	Described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
Eligible countries	Described in section 6 of the call document.
Other eligibility conditions	Described in section 6 of the call document.
Financial and operational capacity and exclusion	Described in section 7 of the call document.
Submission and evaluation processes	Described in sections 8 and 11 of the call document and the Online Manual.
Award criteria, scoring and thresholds	Described in section 9 of the call document.
Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement	Described in section 4 of the call document.
Legal and financial set-up of the grants	Described in section 10 of the call document.
Scope - Eligible types of connectivity	Connect at least two Member States. For terrestrial backbones, only cross-border segments needed for national backbones are funded. Connect a Member State with one or more of its islands, outermost regions, or overseas countries and territories. Connect one or more Member States and third countries, including accession and neighbourhood countries, directly or indirectly via other cable infrastructures linked to the Union.
Geographical priorities	Projects contributing to resilience and security of submarine cable connectivity in CPEI Areas 1-13 (except Areas 8 and 10), especially Areas 1-7 on the CPEI list (Feb 2026), will be scored positively for 'Priority and Urgency.'
Eligible activities	Preparatory work required prior to signing supplier contracts (e.g. marine ground surveys, permit applications). Studies for potential deployment of cable projects of European interest during Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034.
Documentation	https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/CEF-DIG-2026-GATEWAYS-STUDIES

Eligible expenses

Evaluation criteria

Application process

Application requirements