Deadline: 06-Oct-2026
The European Commission is offering grant support for projects that develop and upgrade transport infrastructure for both civilian and defence use across the TEN-T network and the EU military mobility network. The call has a total available budget of €130,000,000 and supports studies, works, and mixed actions focused on dual-use transport infrastructure.
Projects must be located on both the TEN-T network and the EU military mobility network established by the Council. Priority is given to projects located on military mobility priority corridors and projects involving two or more EU Member States.
What is this European Commission Dual-Use Transport Infrastructure Call?
This European Commission call supports transport infrastructure projects that serve both civilian and defence purposes.
The funding is intended to strengthen Europe’s transport networks by adapting infrastructure so it can support everyday civilian mobility as well as defence-related movement when needed.
The call is linked to the TEN-T network and the EU military mobility network, with a focus on infrastructure that meets dual-use requirements.
Main Purpose of the Call
The main purpose of the call is to develop and upgrade transport infrastructure for dual-use purposes.
This means that supported infrastructure should be suitable for both civilian transport and defence mobility.
The programme aims to improve connectivity, strengthen preparedness, and ensure that key transport routes can support the movement of people, goods, equipment, and military assets when required.
Total Funding Available
The total funding available for this call is €130,000,000.
Funding may support:
- Studies
- Works
- Mixed actions combining studies and works
Where proposals combine studies and works, each component must address separate sections or activities within the project scope.
Focus Areas and Priorities
The call focuses on transport infrastructure that supports civilian and defence mobility.
Key focus areas include:
- Dual-use transport infrastructure
- TEN-T network adaptation
- EU military mobility network connectivity
- Military mobility corridors
- Military mobility priority corridors
- Cross-border transport infrastructure
- Projects involving multiple Member States
- Studies for dual-use infrastructure
- Works for dual-use infrastructure
- Civilian transport infrastructure
- Defence transport infrastructure
- Compliance with dual-use infrastructure requirements
- Non-discriminatory access to supported infrastructure
Key Concepts Explained
Dual-Use Transport Infrastructure
Dual-use transport infrastructure refers to roads, railways, bridges, terminals, ports, airports, or other transport assets that can support both civilian and defence purposes.
In this call, funded infrastructure must be designed or upgraded to meet requirements for both regular transport operations and defence-related mobility.
TEN-T Network
The TEN-T network is the European Union’s Trans-European Transport Network.
It includes major transport corridors, roads, railways, inland waterways, ports, airports, terminals, and cross-border links that support mobility and trade across Europe.
Projects under this call must be located on the TEN-T network.
EU Military Mobility Network
The EU military mobility network refers to transport routes and infrastructure identified as important for defence mobility across Europe.
Projects must also be located on this network as established by the Council.
Military Mobility Priority Corridors
Military mobility priority corridors are routes considered especially important for enabling efficient defence movement across Europe.
Projects located on these corridors receive priority consideration under the call.
Non-Discriminatory Access
Non-discriminatory access means that supported facilities and infrastructure must remain accessible to all operators under fair and equal conditions.
Funded infrastructure should not be reserved only for one operator or restricted user group.
What Types of Projects are Supported?
The call supports projects that develop, adapt, or upgrade transport infrastructure for dual-use needs.
Eligible project types may include:
- Studies for dual-use transport infrastructure
- Works for dual-use transport infrastructure
- Mixed actions combining studies and works
- Infrastructure upgrades on the TEN-T network
- Infrastructure upgrades on the EU military mobility network
- Cross-border transport infrastructure projects
- Projects located on military mobility corridors
- Projects involving two or more Member States
- Infrastructure that improves civilian and defence transport readiness
Projects should clearly show how the proposed infrastructure serves both civilian and defence use.
Location Requirements
Projects must be located on both:
- The TEN-T network
- The EU military mobility network established by the Council
Priority is given to projects located on military mobility priority corridors.
Priority is also given to projects involving two or more Member States.
Applicants should clearly explain the project’s location and demonstrate its relevance to both transport networks.
Requirements for Studies and Works
The call supports studies, works, or mixed actions.
Studies may support planning, technical preparation, feasibility, design, or assessment of dual-use infrastructure needs.
Works may support construction, upgrading, or adaptation of transport infrastructure.
When a proposal combines studies and works, each component must cover separate project sections or activities.
Applicants should avoid duplication between the study component and the works component.
Compliance Requirements
Projects funded under this call must comply with applicable infrastructure requirements for dual-use transport actions.
These requirements are defined under relevant EU implementing regulations.
Applicants must ensure that the proposed infrastructure meets all conditions applicable to dual-use infrastructure development.
The proposal should clearly demonstrate compliance with the relevant technical, operational, and regulatory requirements.
Access Requirement
Facilities and infrastructure supported under this call must remain accessible for use by all operators on a non-discriminatory basis.
Applicants should explain how the infrastructure will be managed, operated, and accessed after completion.
The access model should be fair, transparent, and consistent with applicable EU transport rules.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include public and private legal entities.
Applicants must be established in:
- EU Member States
- Overseas countries and territories
- Countries associated with the CEF Programme
Eligible applicants may include public authorities, transport infrastructure managers, port authorities, airport operators, rail infrastructure managers, road authorities, logistics infrastructure operators, and other legal entities involved in transport infrastructure development.
How the Call Works
The European Commission provides funding for projects that strengthen transport infrastructure for both civilian and defence purposes.
Applicants submit proposals that explain the infrastructure need, project location, dual-use relevance, compliance with requirements, expected benefits, and implementation approach.
Projects should demonstrate how the proposed action improves connectivity, strengthens military mobility readiness, and supports wider TEN-T transport objectives.
How to Apply
Applicants should first confirm that the proposed project is located on both the TEN-T network and the EU military mobility network.
They should then identify whether the proposal is for studies, works, or a mixed action.
The application should clearly explain how the infrastructure will serve both civilian and defence users.
Applicants should also demonstrate compliance with applicable EU dual-use infrastructure requirements and explain how the infrastructure will remain accessible to all operators on a non-discriminatory basis.
Suggested Application Steps
- Confirm that the applicant is an eligible public or private legal entity.
- Confirm that the project is located on the TEN-T network.
- Confirm that the project is also located on the EU military mobility network.
- Check whether the project is located on a military mobility priority corridor.
- Identify whether the project involves one Member State or multiple Member States.
- Define whether the proposal covers studies, works, or a mixed action.
- If combining studies and works, ensure each component addresses separate sections or activities.
- Explain how the infrastructure supports both civilian and defence use.
- Demonstrate compliance with applicable dual-use infrastructure requirements.
- Describe how the project improves transport connectivity and military mobility readiness.
- Explain how access will remain non-discriminatory for all operators.
- Prepare a clear budget and implementation plan.
- Submit the application through the official European Commission or CEF Programme process.
Why It Matters
Transport infrastructure plays a vital role in both economic mobility and defence preparedness.
Roads, railways, ports, airports, and other transport links must be reliable, connected, and capable of supporting different types of movement.
This call matters because it helps Europe adapt critical infrastructure for dual-use purposes.
By supporting projects on the TEN-T and EU military mobility networks, the programme strengthens civilian transport, defence readiness, cross-border cooperation, and strategic resilience.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting projects that are not located on both the TEN-T network and the EU military mobility network.
Proposals should not describe only civilian benefits without explaining defence relevance.
Applicants should not overlook compliance with dual-use infrastructure requirements under EU regulations.
Mixed proposals should not combine studies and works for the same section or activity.
Applications should avoid weak explanations of cross-border value, especially where projects involve multiple Member States.
Applicants should also avoid unclear access arrangements that do not demonstrate non-discriminatory use by all operators.
Tips for Strong Applications
A strong application should clearly demonstrate the dual-use value of the project.
Applicants should explain how the infrastructure will support civilian transport while also meeting defence mobility needs.
Projects located on military mobility priority corridors should highlight this alignment.
Applications involving two or more Member States should clearly explain the cross-border relevance and added value.
The proposal should include a strong compliance section showing how the project meets applicable dual-use infrastructure requirements.
Applicants should also present a realistic implementation plan, clear budget, and transparent access model for all operators.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the purpose of this European Commission call?
The call supports projects that develop and upgrade transport infrastructure for both civilian and defence use across the TEN-T and EU military mobility networks.
2. How much funding is available?
The total funding available for this call is €130,000,000.
3. What types of projects are supported?
The call supports studies, works, and mixed actions focused on dual-use transport infrastructure.
4. Where must projects be located?
Projects must be located on the TEN-T network and the EU military mobility network established by the Council.
5. Which projects receive priority?
Priority is given to projects located on military mobility priority corridors and projects involving two or more Member States.
6. Can proposals combine studies and works?
Yes. Mixed proposals are allowed, but each component must address separate sections or activities within the project scope.
7. Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include public and private legal entities established in EU Member States, overseas countries and territories, and countries associated with the CEF Programme.
Conclusion
The European Commission’s dual-use transport infrastructure call provides €130,000,000 to support projects that strengthen civilian and defence mobility across Europe.
The call funds studies, works, and mixed actions located on both the TEN-T network and the EU military mobility network, with priority for military mobility corridors and cross-border projects involving multiple Member States.
Applicants should submit proposals that clearly demonstrate dual-use relevance, compliance with EU infrastructure requirements, non-discriminatory access, and strong contribution to European transport connectivity and defence preparedness.
For more information, visit European Commission.