€ 1 billion available for TEN-T proposals

The European Commission has launched its 2009 call for proposals for Trans-European Network transport (TEN-T) schemes. The funds available include € 500 million from the European Economic Recovery Plan, the EU's € 200 billion stimulus package.

Applicants for funding have until 15 May to submit their proposals for TEN-T projects. They will be assessed in terms of their relevance to the TEN-T policy objectives and their impact.

This year's round of funding has been broken down into three separate programmes. The largest is the € 500 billion allocated under the stimulus plan, and the key criteria here is for schemes that can get underway in 2009 or 2010 and be largely completed in two years.

In addition to this, the Commission is making € 140 million available under its Annual Work Programme.

The final programme is the Multi-Annual Work Programme, which focuses on shipping projects - "Motorways of the Sea", TENT-T Priority Project 21, schemes for harmonising Europe's rail signalling systems and intelligent transport systems for roads (ITS Roads). Up to € 240 is available to rail signalling projects, € 100 million for ITS Roads and € 30 million for maritime schemes.

The TEN-T executive agency will hold an information day in Brussels on 22 April. More information is available at http://ec.europa.eu/tentea