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Research and innovation

Rail transport research

Policy, funding opportunities, jobs, projects, publications and databases

Why the EU supports research and innovation in rail transport

Rail transport is fundamental for achieving sustainable low-carbon mobility in Europe, but rail faces critical challenges. Rail needs to shoulder a large share of future transport demand while at the same time coping with dwindling public funding. Research is focusing on

  • passenger rail - developing innovative products and services that make passengers want to choose rail travel over other less sustainable modes of transport

  • freight transport by rail - optimising logistic chains that use more than one mode of transport and better rail infrastructure to make transporting freight by rail more attractive

Funding opportunities

Horizon Europe

On this page you can find more information, the work programme and a link to the environment-related calls

COST actions

COST (European cooperation in science and technology) is a funding organisation for research and innovation networks

Projects and results

Horizon Magazine

Latest news, interviews and features about thought-provoking science and innovative research projects funded by the EU.

Horizon Results Platform

Platform where framework programme participants present their results for you to search, contact their owners, and form partnerships.

Collaboration and jobs

Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking

JU bringing together industry, SMEs and research centres, to create a Single European Railway Area and deliver more competitive and resource-efficient European rail.

European Rail Research Advisory Council (ERRAC)

European Technology Platform giving rail stakeholders the opportunity evolve the sector and make it more competitive, by fostering increased innovation and guiding research efforts at European level.

POLIS network

Network for local and regional authorities to work together to promote sustainable mobility by deploying innovative transport solutions.

Scientific publications, tools and databases

TRIMIS Dashboard

Dashboard where you can search for data on beneficiaries of H2020 funding for smart mobility and services

OpenAIRE

You can access all scientific publications from Horizon 2020 via OpenAIRE

EU Open Data Portal

Single point of access to open data produced by the EU institutions - all data free to use for commercial and non-commercial purposes