Deadline: 11-February-2026
The European Commission, under the Horizon Europe Programme, has announced a new funding opportunity to develop innovative regional rail services aimed at revitalising low-density and capillary railway lines through advanced and cost-efficient solutions.
Focus Areas: Building upon the results of S2R and Europe’s rail flagship projects as well as EU Member States’ rail research and innovation activities, the Flagship Project stemming from this topic is expected to contribute specifically in regional solution linked to system architecture approaches, CCS & Operations, rail infrastructure assets as well as Customer Services. The Flagship Project stemming from this topic is expected to contribute to Europe’s Rail Programme with the following outcomes: possible adaptation of the proposed solution to meet the specific requirements of low-density lines, demonstration of the possibility of scaling up as a European solution, adapt and demonstrate solutions up to TRL7, demonstration of the feasibility of proposed technical solutions and preparatory work for integrated demonstrator under operational conditions (TRL7) set for the future.
This new call by the European Commission supports the development and demonstration of sustainable, interoperable, and customer-oriented solutions for regional railway systems. It seeks to transform low-density and underused rail lines into efficient, modern, and connected transport options by introducing smart digital technologies and energy-efficient innovations that enhance cost-effectiveness and service quality.
The initiative builds on major European research and innovation projects including MOTIONAL, R2DATO, Rail4EARTH, and FUTURE. It focuses on four core domains—System, CCS & Operations, Assets, and Customer Service—to develop integrated and deployable solutions that can be scaled across Europe by 2028.
Key activities will include the development of integrated Operations Control Centres for regional lines not linked to main networks, deployment of wireless and energy self-sufficient infrastructure components, and creation of advanced multimodal passenger information systems to ensure seamless connections between transport modes. These technologies are expected to reach Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) between 5 and 7, proving their practical viability in real-world conditions.
The project will adhere to the ERA Ontology and align with the EU-Rail System Pillar to maintain interoperability, cybersecurity, and compliance with European standards. Consortia applying for funding must demonstrate expertise across infrastructure management, railway operations, system integration, research, and innovation, with participation encouraged from SMEs and startups.
With a total indicative budget of EUR 10 million and a co-funding rate of 60%, the initiative will support one large-scale project over an expected duration of 30 months. It marks an important step in Europe’s mission to modernise regional rail systems, advance sustainable mobility, and strengthen regional connectivity through innovation.
For more information, visit EC.
