Backbone connectivity for Digital Global Gateways - Studies

Topic description

Expected Impact: The expected impact of the supported project include: • Improved quality and maturity of future EU backbone networks development, in particular CPEIs. Objective: Studies related to the deployment/significant upgrade of backbone networks that address risks, vulnerabilities and dependencies in the EU backbone infrastructure. Scope: Support will be given to studies for the deployment of backbone connectivity meeting one of the following conditions: • connect at least two Member States. In the case of terrestrial backbones, only cross-border segments necessary to connect national backbones will be funded; • connect a Member State with one or several of its islands, outermost regions, or overseas countries and territories; • connect one or several Member States and third countries, including accession and neighbourhood countries, directly, or indirectly via other cable infrastructures linked to the Union. Proposals should specify whether they contribute to the resilience and security of submarine cable connectivity in CPEI Areas 1-13 (except Areas 8 and 10), and in particular Areas 1-7 from the CPEI list published in February 2026 , as projects with such characteristics will be scored positively under the evaluation criterion ”Priority and Urgency”. The following activities can be funded: • all preparatory work required prior to signing a contract with a supplier, such as marine ground surveys for submarine cables and the application for any required permits; • studies for possible follow up/deployment of cable projects of European interest during the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034 are also eligible.

Conditions and documents

Conditions 1. Admissibility conditions: described in section 5 of the call document 2. Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System 3. Eligible countries: described in section 6 of the call document 4. Other eligibility conditions: described in section 6 of the call document 5. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion: described in section 7 of the call document 6. Submission and evaluation processes: described in sections 8 and 11 of the call document and the Online Manual 7. Award criteria, scoring and thresholds: described in section 9 of the call document 8. Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement: described in section 4 of the call document 9. Legal and financial set-up of the grants: described in section 10 of the call document Call document: Call document Application form and annexes: Proposals (including annexes and supporting documents) must be submitted using the forms provided inside the Submission System (NOT the documents available on the Topic page - there are only for information). Application form (Part A and B) Detailed budget table per Work Package Timetable (Gantt chart) Letters of support (MS agreement) Ownership Control Declaration CEF Model Grant Agreement (MGA) Additional documents Guidance on participation in EU calls with ownership and control restrictions Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Multianual Work Programme (2024-2027) Connecting Europe Facility Regulation 2021/1153 EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509

Budget overview

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