STUDIES ON RAIL INDUSTRY 5.0
EU-RAIL JU funds exploratory studies on Industry 5.0 in rail transport – from concept to prototype. Submission deadline: 11/02/2026.
Discover your potential with AI support
- Find out if this grant matches your project
- Develop your application together with AI
- Get matched with many more suitable grants
Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for research and innovation studies that identify key challenges, drivers, and measurable benefits of applying Industry 5.0 principles in the rail sector and provide recommendations for pilot projects and implementation strategies.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs
- Travel expenses
- Materials
- Subcontractor services
Non-eligible expenses
- Real estate acquisition
- Debt repayment
Eligible to apply
- Educational Institutions
- Companies
- Public Institutions
- Cooperatives
- Non-profit Organizations
Funding requirements
- Consortium of at least three legal entities from three different EU Member States or associated countries
- Experience in rail transport research or comparable disciplines
- Proof of political support from infrastructure managers or transport companies
Documents required for application
- Application form Part A and B
- Project description
- Overall work plan and milestone plan
- Curricula vitae of the project leaders
- Proof of consortium composition
Evaluation criteria
- Relevance to Industry 5.0 principles
- Degree of innovation
- Exploitation and dissemination potential
- Consortium competencies and structure
Description
The EU-RAIL Joint Undertaking promotes pioneering approaches for a Europe-wide connected, flexible rail network through Flagship Area 1. The focus is on three waves of demonstrators that will successively validate strategic and tactical timetable planning, real-time traffic control, and seamless integration into multimodal door-to-door chains by 2030. Wave 1 (until 2026) will showcase the application of proven tactical and short-term planning tools in a cross-border context as well as their linkage with capacity and station management. Wave 2 (until 2028) expands these approaches with real-time decision support for disruption and maintenance management, as well as automated conflict resolution, based on feedback loops between operations and planning. From Wave 3 (until 2030) onwards, a Europe-wide reference system will demonstrate the control of nodes, marshalling yards, and multimodal terminals through AI-supported optimization methods, complemented by integrated digital twins and forecasting models for demand and punctuality.
All demonstrators are realized in close collaboration with infrastructure and transport companies, research institutions, and industry partners, drawing on S2R results such as CDM data models and initial AI-based algorithms. Technical enablers include European harmonized interfaces to ETCS/ATO, digitized track information, advanced simulation tools, and predictive passenger and freight demand models. Combined with a coordinated migration roadmap and accompanying training measures, the program lays the foundation for a digital, reliable, and customer-friendly railway transport system throughout the European Union.
Ready to secure your funding?
Register now and let our AI guide you through the application process – from eligibility check to finished application.