The Global Gateway Early-Stage Investment Mechanism is one of the EU's most significant funding opportunities for companies looking to expand their infrastructure projects into developing markets.
What Is Global Gateway?
Global Gateway is the EU's strategy to boost smart, clean, and secure connections in digital, energy, and transport sectors. The Early-Stage Investment Mechanism specifically funds the pre-investment work that's often hardest to finance commercially.
Key Numbers
- €40.5 million total budget
- €500,000 to €2 million per project
- Up to 90% EU funding rate
- 12 to 36 month project duration
- March 16, 2026 submission deadline
The Five Lots
The grant is divided into five thematic lots:
- Transport (€7.8M) - Railways, ports, airports, e-mobility
- AI for Green Transition (€4M) - Environmental monitoring, predictive maintenance
- Energy (€14.3M) - Renewables, grid infrastructure, hydrogen
- Urban Development (€4.5M) - Smart cities, waste, water
- Railway LAC (€10M) - Latin American rail projects
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible as a lead applicant, you must be:
- A legal entity registered in an EU Member State
- Planning a project in an eligible developing country
- Working in one of the covered sectors
- Able to meet the financial capacity requirements
What Gets Funded?
The grant covers early-stage project development activities:
- Feasibility studies
- Market analysis
- Preliminary engineering
- Environmental assessments
- Pilot projects
- Stakeholder engagement
- Project structuring
Next Steps
If you're considering applying, here's what we recommend:
- Assess eligibility - Make sure you meet the basic criteria
- Identify your lot - Determine which of the five lots best fits your project
- Start early - The application requires substantial preparation time
- Get support - Professional guidance significantly improves success rates
Need help with your Global Gateway application? Book a call to discuss your project.