Deadline: 08-Oct-2026
The European Commission is inviting proposals under Horizon Europe to improve the competitiveness, resilience, sustainability, and efficiency of multimodal freight transport and logistics systems across Europe. The programme supports the development and large-scale demonstration of interoperable digital solutions, real-time tracking tools, predictive analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, and synchromodal logistics models that strengthen European supply chains and encourage a shift from road transport to more sustainable multimodal transport options.
With a total budget of €20 million and an expected contribution of approximately €6.5 million per project, the initiative aims to enhance freight transport capacity, improve disruption management, reduce environmental impacts, and strengthen the resilience of European logistics networks.
What is the Multimodal Freight Transport and Logistics Programme?
The European Commission is supporting research and innovation projects that improve the performance of multimodal freight transport systems by integrating different transport modes such as rail, road, inland waterways, and short sea shipping.
The initiative seeks to address growing freight demand, supply chain disruptions, and sustainability challenges by promoting smarter, more connected, and more resilient logistics operations across Europe.
Funding Details
- Funding Authority: European Commission
- Programme: Horizon Europe
- Total Budget Available: €20,000,000
- Expected Funding Per Project: Approximately €6,500,000
- Project Type: Research and Innovation Action
- Geographic Scope: European Union and eligible Horizon Europe countries
Programme Objectives
Projects should contribute to the following objectives:
- Improve multimodal freight transport competitiveness
- Increase freight transport efficiency
- Strengthen supply chain resilience
- Enhance sustainability and energy efficiency
- Improve real-time visibility across logistics networks
- Support disruption management and contingency planning
- Increase freight transport capacity
- Encourage modal shift from road transport
- Improve integration of freight transport data
- Support digital transformation of logistics operations
Key Focus Areas
The programme supports projects addressing:
- Multimodal freight transport
- Supply chain resilience
- Logistics digitalization
- Real-time cargo tracking
- Predictive analytics
- Synchromodal transport solutions
- AI-powered logistics systems
- Internet of Things (IoT) applications
- Freight corridor optimization
- Disruption management
- Sustainable transport solutions
- Transport data integration
- Interoperable logistics platforms
Why This Programme Matters
Freight transport demand across Europe is expected to increase significantly in the coming decades.
Despite efforts to encourage the use of:
- Rail freight
- Inland waterways
- Short sea shipping
Road transport continues to dominate because of its flexibility and competitiveness.
The programme seeks to overcome barriers that prevent wider adoption of multimodal transport by improving connectivity, data sharing, and operational efficiency throughout freight supply chains.
Challenges the Programme Seeks to Address
Current challenges include:
- Limited integration of transport data
- Fragmented logistics systems
- Poor visibility across supply chains
- Inefficient disruption response mechanisms
- Overreliance on road transport
- Limited interoperability between transport platforms
- Supply chain vulnerabilities
- Rising freight transport demand
Expected Project Activities
Projects are expected to develop and demonstrate innovative solutions that improve multimodal logistics performance.
Activities may include:
- Development of interoperable digital platforms
- Real-time cargo monitoring systems
- Predictive analytics tools
- Freight transport optimization solutions
- Supply chain resilience frameworks
- Smart logistics management systems
- Data integration and sharing solutions
- Pilot demonstrations on freight corridors
Real-Time Visibility and Tracking Solutions
Projects should improve visibility throughout multimodal supply chains.
Solutions may support:
- Cargo tracking
- Shipment monitoring
- Estimated time of arrival predictions
- Freight network performance monitoring
- Asset management
- Transport planning optimization
Expected benefits include:
- Faster decision-making
- Reduced delays
- Improved customer service
- Better supply chain transparency
Artificial Intelligence and IoT Applications
The programme encourages the use of advanced technologies, including:
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Potential applications include:
- Predictive logistics planning
- Demand forecasting
- Disruption prediction
- Route optimization
- Automated decision support
Internet of Things (IoT)
Potential applications include:
- Smart containers
- Sensor-enabled cargo monitoring
- Real-time asset tracking
- Environmental condition monitoring
- Automated status reporting
These technologies can improve operational efficiency and strengthen supply chain resilience.
Synchromodal Transport Solutions
Projects should explore the use of synchromodality, which allows freight to switch between different transport modes based on real-time operational conditions.
Benefits may include:
- Increased flexibility
- Improved transport efficiency
- Reduced congestion
- Lower emissions
- Better disruption management
Applicants are encouraged to examine opportunities within:
- Logistics hubs
- Freight terminals
- Multimodal transport corridors
- Distribution networks
Data Integration and Interoperability
A major focus of the programme is improving access to multimodal transport information.
Projects should:
- Identify and map relevant datasets
- Integrate information from multiple transport modes
- Develop interoperable solutions
- Build upon existing European data governance frameworks
- Enable seamless information exchange among stakeholders
Stakeholders may include:
- Shippers
- Freight forwarders
- Carriers
- Warehouse operators
- Distribution centres
- Retailers
- E-commerce platforms
Disruption Management and Supply Chain Resilience
Projects should improve the ability of logistics systems to respond to disruptions.
Examples include:
- Accidents
- Infrastructure failures
- Equipment breakdowns
- Cybersecurity incidents
- Sabotage
- Extreme weather events
- Force majeure situations
Expected activities include:
- Contingency planning
- Risk assessment
- Resilience modelling
- Emergency response strategies
- Recovery planning frameworks
Multimodal Freight Use Cases
Applicants are expected to define practical use cases covering:
- Intra-European freight flows
- Distances between 500 and 1,000 kilometres
- Origin-to-delivery transport chains
- Multiple transport modes
- Diverse industrial sectors
The use cases should demonstrate how multimodal transport can improve efficiency, sustainability, and resilience.
Large-Scale Pilot Demonstrations
Projects must validate proposed solutions through:
- Two large-scale pilot demonstrations
- Major European freight transport corridors
- Multiple geographical regions
- Diverse operational environments
Pilot projects should involve:
- Logistics companies
- Freight operators
- Infrastructure managers
- Supply chain stakeholders
- Industrial partners
Industrial Sector Participation
Projects are encouraged to involve multiple sectors, including:
- Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG)
- Manufacturing
- Retail
- E-commerce
- Industrial logistics
Business Models and Modal Shift
Projects should develop collaborative business models that encourage a transition from road transport to multimodal freight solutions.
Expected outcomes include:
- Increased use of rail freight
- Greater use of inland waterways
- Expanded short sea shipping
- Reduced road transport dependence
- Improved sustainability performance
Regulatory Analysis and Policy Recommendations
Applicants should examine:
- Existing regulatory frameworks
- Market barriers
- Technical challenges
- Operational constraints
Projects should provide recommendations that:
- Accelerate multimodal transport adoption
- Remove regulatory barriers
- Improve market conditions
- Support innovation deployment
Expected Outcomes
Economic Outcomes
Projects should contribute to:
- Greater logistics efficiency
- Improved freight transport competitiveness
- Increased freight capacity
- Reduced operational costs
- Stronger supply chain performance
Environmental Outcomes
Expected environmental benefits include:
- Lower greenhouse gas emissions
- Reduced energy consumption
- Increased use of sustainable transport modes
- Improved resource efficiency
Resilience Outcomes
Projects should support:
- Stronger supply chain resilience
- Faster disruption recovery
- Better contingency planning
- Enhanced operational flexibility
- Improved risk management
Who Can Apply?
Participation is open to:
- Universities
- Research organizations
- Logistics companies
- Transport operators
- Infrastructure managers
- Technology providers
- SMEs
- Large enterprises
- Public authorities
- International organizations
- Eligible entities from non-associated third countries
Applicants must comply with Horizon Europe eligibility requirements.
Registration Requirements
Applicants must:
- Register in the Participant Register
- Obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC)
- Complete all required validation procedures before grant agreement signature
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Review Horizon Europe participation requirements and ensure eligibility.
Step 2: Build a Consortium
Develop a consortium that includes expertise in:
- Freight transport
- Logistics operations
- AI and digital technologies
- Data integration
- Supply chain management
- Infrastructure operations
Step 3: Develop the Project Concept
Define:
- The logistics challenge being addressed
- Proposed innovations
- Pilot demonstration plans
- Expected impacts
Step 4: Design Pilot Demonstrations
Plan two large-scale demonstrations along major European freight corridors.
Step 5: Prepare and Submit the Proposal
Submit a complete proposal including:
- Technical approach
- Work plan
- Budget
- Impact assessment
- Stakeholder engagement strategy
Common Proposal Mistakes to Avoid
- Weak multimodal integration strategy
- Limited stakeholder participation
- Insufficient data interoperability planning
- Lack of scalability considerations
- Weak pilot demonstration design
- Poor resilience assessment framework
- Limited business model development
- Inadequate impact measurement
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is funding this programme?
The programme is funded by the European Commission through Horizon Europe.
What is the total budget available?
The total budget allocated is €20 million.
How much funding can a project receive?
The indicative EU contribution is approximately €6.5 million per project.
What is synchromodality?
Synchromodality is a logistics approach that allows freight to move dynamically between different transport modes based on real-time operational conditions and network performance.
Are pilot demonstrations required?
Yes. Projects must conduct two large-scale demonstrations along major European freight transport corridors.
Which technologies are encouraged?
The programme encourages AI, IoT, predictive analytics, smart container technologies, digital logistics platforms, and interoperable data-sharing solutions.
Can organizations outside the EU participate?
Yes. Eligible legal entities from non-associated third countries and international organizations may participate if Horizon Europe conditions are met.
Conclusion
The European Commission’s Multimodal Freight Transport and Logistics Programme supports the development of innovative digital solutions that improve the competitiveness, sustainability, resilience, and efficiency of European freight transport systems. By combining AI, IoT, predictive analytics, synchromodal transport models, and large-scale pilot demonstrations, the initiative aims to accelerate the transition toward smarter, more connected, and more sustainable multimodal logistics networks across Europe.
For more information, visit EC.
