Maintenance and Improvement of Railway Infrastructure for Public Non-Federally Owned Railways for Freight Transport (NE-Infrastructure Funding NRW)
The state of North Rhine-Westphalia funds investments in the railway infrastructure of non-federally owned railways to strengthen rail freight transport and alleviate environmental impact. Grants are provided for the replacement, renovation, expansion, and new construction of railway lines, as well as associated planning costs. The aim is to increase the efficiency of rail freight transport and improve the mobility and transport system.
Who is Funded: Target Groups and Scope
This funding program of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia aims to strengthen rail freight transport and thus contribute to climate protection and the relief of road infrastructure. Eligible for funding are public non-federally owned railway infrastructure companies that plan investments in their railway lines. The funding focuses exclusively on projects within North Rhine-Westphalia.
What is Funded: Projects and Activities
The program supports a wide range of investments in railway infrastructure that primarily serve rail freight transport. This includes both construction measures and their planning costs. However, certain expenses and infrastructures are excluded from funding.
Type and Scope of Funding
Funding is provided in the form of non-repayable grants with specific funding rates that vary depending on the type of measure and location. There are no fixed maximum amounts per project, but rather upper limits based on expected rail freight volume per ton for certain measures. The program duration is limited until June 30, 2027.
Conditions and Requirements
The program is subject to specific legal and administrative conditions, ranging from application submission to project implementation. Special attention is paid to European state aid rules, particularly the GBER, and the requirements for proving rail freight volume. There are also clear rules on the accumulation of funding and the prohibition of double funding.
Application Procedure
The application for funding must be submitted annually in writing by October 31 to the Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. Approval is granted after reviewing the application documents and subject to the availability of corresponding budgetary funds.
Legal Basis of the Funding Program
The NE-Infrastructure Funding NRW is based on a specific state guideline and is embedded in a variety of state, federal, and EU laws and regulations that ensure its validity and the framework for granting aid.
Similar Programs
Funding Overview
Funding Status:
Open
Maximum Amount:
Supplementary State Funding: up to 40% (outside inland ports) / 30% (within inland ports). Direct State Funding: up to 75% of eligible expenses; max. 60.00 EUR/ton/year (new construction) and 40.00 EUR/ton/year (expansion); planning costs max. 75% of eligible planning costs (up to 13% of construction costs).
Deadline:
31.10.2025
Open Until:
30.06.2027
Award Channel:
Demand Driven Scheme
Region:
North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany)
Sectors:
Transportation and Logistics, Environmental and Climate Protection, Information and Communication Technology, Service Sector
Beneficiaries:
Railway infrastructure, rail freight transport
Application Type:
Single Applicant
Funding Stages:
Planning, Implementation, Infrastructure
Funding Provider
Program Level:
Regional
Funding Body:
Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
Managed By:
Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
Additional Partners:
Federal Railway Authority