Automation, electrification, and digitalisation are revolutionising the mobility sector, transforming it into a rapidly evolving landscape that is as challenging as it is full of opportunities. Simply keeping up is no longer enough—the market now demands innovative, cutting-edge solutions at every stage of the value chain. In my current roles with the European Commission and leading academic institutions, I have gained invaluable insights into what it takes to successfully engage with key EU mobility innovation funding initiatives. These programs are crucial for driving innovation and sustainable growth in the mobility sector, ultimately benefiting citizens across Europe.

As the European Union (EU) pushes toward a greener and more digitally connected future, the European Green Deal and the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy form the backbone of the mobility transformation. These ambitious frameworks aim to decarbonise the transport sector and to improve urban mobility, enhance cross-border connectivity, and develop smart transport solutions. To achieve these goals, the EU has launched several funding programs that provide significant financial resources for new and innovative mobility projects.

If you are developing projects in sustainable mobility, electric vehicles, smart city transport, or multimodal infrastructure, tapping into these funds can be key to your success. Let’s explore the funding programs and future funding opportunities, along with practical advice on how to apply.

Key EU Funding Programs for Mobility

1. Horizon Europe – Cluster 5: Climate, Energy, and Mobility

Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation program, funds projects across a range of sectors, including smart, sustainable, and connected mobility, with a focus on advancing zero-emission vehicles, intelligent transport systems, and next-generation digital infrastructures for urban and rural areas. The program encourages collaborative, cross-border research efforts to develop breakthrough technologies and ensure the EU’s global competitiveness.

This research and innovation programme has a budget of €95.5 billion for the 2021-2027 period. However, the competition is fierce, with success rates generally below 20%. This highlights the need for well-prepared, high-quality proposals.

(https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_en)

2. Innovation Fund

The Innovation Fund, one of the world’s largest funding mechanisms for low-carbon technologies, targets large-scale innovative solutions. It supports clean technologies for industries and transport, including zero-emission vehicles and hydrogen applications. The Innovation Fund is an excellent opportunity for businesses and public authorities looking to pilot large-scale projects that contribute to the EU’s green transition.

The Innovation Fund, with a budget of approximately €10 to €40 billion between 2020 and 2030, supports especially the commercial demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies. It is particularly relevant for mobility projects focused on reducing emissions. Competition for this fund is significant, but the potential impact and support available make it a worthwhile pursuit.

(https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/innovation-fund_en)

3. Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)

The CEF is designed to enhance Europe’s infrastructure and supports cross-border projects that build sustainable transport networks. CEF will be crucial for developing pan-European electric vehicle (EV) charging networks, digital traffic management systems, and smart transport corridors. Future calls will focus on developing smart and sustainable infrastructure across Europe to ensure connectivity between regions.

With a budget of over €26  billion (related to transport) 2021 to 2027, the CEF focuses on building, developing, and modernizing transport, energy, and digital networks. The CEF is an excellent opportunity for those involved in large-scale infrastructure projects.

(https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/connecting-europe-facility_en)

4. LIFE Program

With a budget of €5.4 billion (2021 – 2027), the LIFE program finances environmental and climate action projects, including sustainable mobility. Its Clean Energy Transition sub-program specifically funds low-emission mobility solutions such as urban electrification, public transport enhancements, and zero-emission vehicles. These projects support the EU’s ambition to decarbonize urban transport networks.

(https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/life_en)

5. Interreg Europe

Interreg Europe focuses on enhancing cooperation between European regions. It is particularly useful for mobility projects involving cross-border public transport systems, regional EV networks, or shared mobility platforms. These projects align with the EU’s goals of improving connectivity across diverse regions, especially in rural and urban mobility systems.

(https://www.interregeurope.eu)

Future Funding Opportunities

Looking ahead, the EU’s focus on sustainable and smart mobility will only grow, with upcoming funding programs designed to further strengthen Europe’s transport infrastructure and reduce its carbon footprint. Areas to watch for upcoming calls include:

• Autonomous and connected vehicles: Funding for Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM), which integrates digital and physical infrastructures for autonomous transport systems, will be increasingly available.
• Smart Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS): There will be more funding opportunities for MaaS platforms. These platforms integrate multiple modes of transport (bikes, public transport, ride-sharing, EVs) into a single service. The focus will be on developing smart urban mobility systems that provide seamless, sustainable, and affordable mobility solutions for users. Expect funding calls for innovations in data sharing, digitalization of transport networks, and multimodal transport integration.
• Hydrogen-powered mobility: As the EU shifts focus to hydrogen as a key energy source, expect more calls supporting the development of hydrogen-powered vehicles and hydrogen refueling infrastructure. These initiatives are central to the EU’s goal of reducing emissions across sectors like transportation, heavy industry, and logistics.
• Battery funding: Future calls will increasingly support the development of advanced battery technologies, including solid-state batteries and longer-lasting energy storage solutions. These projects aim to improve the performance, safety, and sustainability of electric vehicles (EVs), while boosting the EU’s competitiveness in global battery production.
• EV infrastructure funding: There will also be more opportunities to secure funding for expanding EV charging networks across Europe, especially along the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) corridors. Calls will focus on building ultra-fast charging stations, integrating renewable energy sources into EV infrastructure, and improving the accessibility of charging facilities in both urban and rural areas.

These funding opportunities align with the EU’s broader objectives of fostering sustainable transport systems and supporting the transition to a climate-neutral economy.

How to Best Apply for EU Mobility Funding

Applying for EU funding requires careful planning, collaboration, and compliance with strict eligibility criteria. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

1. Forming a European Consortium:

Most EU funding calls, especially those under Horizon Europe, require the formation of a European consortium. To be eligible:

• A minimum of three independent legal entities must participate.
• These entities must be from three different EU Member States or associated countries. Projects with broader geographical representation often have an edge.
• A mix of private companies, research institutions, public authorities, and NGOs typically enhances the project’s scope and impact.

2. Align with EU Strategic Goals

Successful proposals align with EU policies, including the European Green Deal and the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy. Depending on what is demanded in the specific call, your project should:

• Demonstrate how it supports climate action, decarbonization, and energy efficiency.
• Include clear goals related to digital transformation and innovation in mobility systems.
• Ensure compliance with EU regulations on data protection, environmental impact, and open science principles (such as open access to research outputs).

3. Proposal Preparation, most important steps

• Define the Problem and your Solution going beyond the State of the Art: Clearly outline the challenges your project addresses and the solution it offers clearly going beyond the state of the art for reducing emissions, improving urban mobility or interconnectivity.
• Project Impact: Highlight how your project will create a positive environmental, societal, and economic impact. Demonstrate scalability and the potential to replicate the project across Europe.
• Financial and Operational Capacity: Prove that your consortium has the financial stability and operational capacity to carry out the project. This includes providing a detailed budget, timeline and the skills and experience of the project team.

4. Submission Process

Proposals must be submitted through the EU’s Funding & Tenders Portal (https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/home), the central platform for managing applications across different programs. Make sure you:

• Follow the call’s specific guidelines and templates and stick to its scope.
• Submit before the deadline (late applications are not accepted).
• Provide all necessary supporting documents, such as letters of support, financial statements, and ethical compliance reports.

5. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals are evaluated by neutral external experts on several key criteria:

• Excellence: The degree of innovation and the scientific or technical quality of your solution.
• Impact: The potential to achieve measurable benefits aligned with the EU’s objectives.
• Implementation: The efficiency and quality of the project’s work plan, budget, and team composition.

Opportunities for Start-ups and SMEs

For start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the EU provides targeted funding opportunities aimed at fostering innovation and competitiveness in the mobility sector.

• European Innovation Council (EIC): The EIC under Horizon Europe offers substantial funding through its Accelerator and Pathfinder schemes. The EIC Accelerator specifically targets SMEs, providing grants of up to €2.5 million and equity investments up to €15 million to support high-risk, high-impact innovations.
• SME Instrument: Now integrated into the EIC Accelerator, this instrument is designed to support innovative SMEs with market-creating potential. The funding can be used for feasibility studies, innovation development, and scaling up business operations.
• Eurostars Programme: This programme supports innovative SMEs working on research and development projects in cooperation with partners from other European countries. It offers a bottom-up approach, allowing participants to work on projects in any technological area, including mobility innovations.

Associations Supporting Project Preparations and Execution

Navigating the EU funding landscape can be complex, but several European associations provide invaluable support in connecting stakeholders with funding opportunities and helping them develop strong proposals:

• UITP (International Association of Public Transport): UITP supports its members, including public transport authorities and operators, in accessing EU funding. They offer information, training, and networking opportunities, helping stakeholders align their projects with EU priorities and funding criteria.
• ERTICO – ITS Europe: ERTICO facilitates innovation in intelligent transport systems (ITS). They help members, including companies and research institutions, engage in collaborative projects funded by the EU, such as Horizon Europe and the Connecting Europe Facility.
• POLIS Network: POLIS represents cities and regions working on innovative transport solutions. They provide a platform for sharing best practices and accessing EU funding, particularly in urban mobility and sustainable transport.
• European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN): ERRIN supports regional authorities and other stakeholders in participating in EU-funded research and innovation projects. They offer networking opportunities and support in forming consortia and writing proposals.

These associations can be strategic partners in navigating the complex EU funding landscape, providing guidance, networking opportunities, and access to resources that can significantly improve your chances of success.

Call to Action

The EU is committed to supporting innovation in mobility as part of its broader climate and digital transformation strategies. With various funding programs such as Horizon Europe, the Innovation Fund, CEF and LIFE. Now is the ideal time for innovators to leverage these resources and bring groundbreaking mobility solutions to market. Successful applications require strong partnerships, strategic alignment with EU goals, and thorough preparation, so be sure to explore the available opportunities.

To stay updated on the latest calls for proposals, check the EU Funding & Tenders Portal (https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/home), or engage with National Contact Points (NCPs) for guidance.

I hope that you enjoyed this little excursion into the land of funding opportunities and related support. It is important to note that my probably most important experience in the context of organizations benefitting from this support is easily stated in one sentence:

Organizations benefit most with a clear value statement, a strong and genuine commitment and openness to engage within an ecosystem.

I wish you all success moving new mobility forward in making it more sustainable, safer and cleaner.