Europe’s Rail Launches €245 Million Call for Research and Innovation Proposals

On October 8, 2025, Europe’s Rail, the European Union’s rail research and innovation partnership, announced the launch of its Call for Proposals 2025-02. This initiative offers €148.2 million in EU funding for projects valued at an estimated €245 million. The call aims to advance research and innovation (R&I) activities aligned with Europe’s Rail Amended Work Programme 2025–2026, focusing on areas such as digitalization, automation, and sustainability in the rail sector. The funding is intended to accelerate the development and deployment of cutting-edge technologies that improve rail efficiency, reduce emissions, and enhance passenger experience, supporting the EU’s broader objectives for sustainable and smart mobility.

The 2025-02 Call builds upon previous EU-Rail Flagship Projects and aims to push innovations from lower to higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). By promoting collaboration among stakeholders—including research institutions, SMEs, operators, infrastructure managers, and technology integrators—the initiative seeks to strengthen Europe’s rail ecosystem. Projects funded under this call are expected to address key challenges such as energy efficiency, digital signaling, predictive maintenance, and automation, ultimately fostering a more resilient and competitive rail transport system. The initiative also encourages cross-border cooperation to harmonize standards and interoperability across the EU’s railway network.

To facilitate engagement, Europe’s Rail organized an Info Day on October 10, 2025, which brought together over 250 stakeholders. Participants received guidance on the proposal submission process, project eligibility, and strategic objectives. The Info Day emphasized the critical role of innovation in achieving the European Commission’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, including the goals of the European Green Deal and Digital Decade initiatives. The call is open to all eligible entities under Horizon Europe rules, and proposals must be submitted through the EU Funding and Tender Portal by February 11, 2026, at 17:00 CET. By supporting these projects, Europe’s Rail aims to create a greener, more digital, and highly efficient railway network that meets future mobility demands and strengthens Europe’s global leadership in rail technology.