Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-RAIL JU) logo
Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-RAIL JU)

Extending the Rail Network of PhDs

Funds university consortia to create 3-5 industry-linked PhD positions researching rail topics such as noise barriers and smart energy grids.

Activities are expected to sit at a low technology readiness level -- TRL 1, with a technology concept possibly reaching TRL 2 -- though higher-TRL work is also allowed. Grants awarded under the topic can start from the day the application itself was submitted, provided the applicant justifies why a backdated start is needed. Beyond the required links to the two named prior projects, the funded ac…

This topic wants consortia built around universities or similar high-level institutes to host 3 to 5 new PhD positions that team up with rail industry partners. It proposes two example research areas — low-height noise barrier design for rail corridors, and smart/micro smart grids for railway power supply — but also accepts other scientifically relevant rail topics. PhD researchers are expected to present findings at Europe's Rail events and submit papers to sector conferences.

CycleiHow often this grant runs - e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.No fixed schedule
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.-
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.-
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.-
Award typeiThe form of funding - grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.-
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.€1M

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Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-RAIL JU) logo
Closed

A Sustainable and Green Rail System

🇪🇺EU-RAIL JU · European Union

Funds one flagship consortium to demonstrate battery and hydrogen trains, smarter rail power grids and healthier, more circular rolling stock.

MobilityEnergy Tech
€26.6M
Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-RAIL JU) logo
Closed

Digital & Automatic up to Automated Train Operations

🇪🇺EU-RAIL JU · European Union

Funds one flagship consortium to demonstrate next-generation automatic train control, from remote driving to fully automated operation, across passenger and freight rail.

Mobility
€33.1M
Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-RAIL JU) logo
Closed

Innovation for Regional Rail Services and New Guided Transport Systems

🇪🇺EU-RAIL JU · European Union

Funds one consortium to design a lightweight regional rail vehicle and an automated pod-based multimodal transport system.

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Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-RAIL JU) logo
Closed

Intelligent & Integrated Asset Management

🇪🇺EU-RAIL JU · European Union

Funds one flagship consortium to build AI-driven, unmanned inspection, digital-twin and robotic maintenance systems for European rail assets.

MobilityRobotics
€32.8M
Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-RAIL JU) logo
Closed

Network Management Planning and Control & Mobility Management in a Multimodal Environment and Digital Enablers

🇪🇺EU-RAIL JU · European Union

Funds one flagship consortium to build AI-driven rail traffic planning, real-time network management and digital-twin data infrastructure across Europe.

MobilityAI
€22.4M
Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-RAIL JU) logo
Closed

Regional Rail Services / Innovative Rail Services to Revitalise Capillary Lines

🇪🇺EU-RAIL JU · European Union

Funds one flagship consortium to build low-cost signalling, communications and customer-service technology that revives Europe's regional and low-density rail lines.

Mobility
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European Commission logo
Scheduled

Horizon Nuclear-Powered Shipping Roadmap

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds a €2M coordination action that maps whether nuclear propulsion could be safe, viable and responsible for commercial shipping.

Energy TechMobility
€2MApr'27
European Commission logo
Scheduled

Hydrogen Cities Twinning

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds one €5M coordination action that twins Hydrogen Valleys with cities planning clean hydrogen for hard-to-abate sectors.

Advanced ManufacturingEnergy Tech+1
€5MOct'27
European Commission logo
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Next-Generation Battery Concepts

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Funds ten €4.8M research projects developing safer, cheaper and higher-performing battery concepts for mobility, grids and industry.

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Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) logo
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FFG COMET Projects

🇦🇹FFG · Austria

Supports Austrian academia and firms through collaborative innovation projects that turn research outputs into commercial solutions.

AerospaceAI+11
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European Commission logo
Scheduled

Horizon 55% Ship Fuel Reduction

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds one €6.5M project to combine onboard renewables and energy-saving measures that cut ship fuel use by at least 55%.

MobilityEnergy Tech
€6.5MApr'27
ALTUM — Latvian Development Finance Institution logo
Scheduled

Energy Efficiency Loan with Capital Discount

🇱🇻ALTUM · Latvia

Funds enterprise energy-efficiency and renewable upgrades in Latvia through discounted financing.

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