The Commission has launched the second set of calls for proposals under the Connecting Europe Facility Digital programme.

With a planned budget of €277 million, the aim is to support projects for secure, fast and high-capacity networks, backbone infrastructures, including quantum communication, cloud federation and submarine cables, strengthen the networks that connect rural, remote and overseas areas, as well as increasingly digitalise transport and energy networks.

The funding will specifically target projects aiming to reinforce backbone connectivity infrastructure within Europe and with international partners, in the context of the Global Gateway strategy. The Commission will also grant funds to projects aiming to equip providers of key services in local communities and main transport routes with 5G connectivity. Finally, the calls will focus on projects connecting cloud suppliers and vertical use-case communities, in the interest of forming an EU-wide cloud federation, quantum communication infrastructures, as well as preparatory actions to set up operational digital platforms for transport and energy infrastructures across the EU.

The calls are open to businesses, public administrations and entities from EU Member States, overseas territories and countries associated to the programme.

The deadline to apply is 23 February 2023. Interested applicants will have the opportunity to learn more about the calls during the online Info day on 25 October.