Apply Now for CEF eInvoicing Grant Funding!
European Commission, 2017
Today, supported by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) launches grants of up to €10 million to support electronic invoicing (eInvoicing) in Europe. This means an additional €3 million in grant funding compared to 2016 (which amounted to €7 million).
The deadline for submissions is 28 November 2017. Please note that the INEA help-desk closes one week prior to the deadline for submission.
The adoption of eInvoicing within the EU leads to significant economic benefits, an increase in European business competitiveness and increased efficiency in the public sector. The CEF eInvoicing building block promotes the uptake and accelerates the use of eInvoicing in compliance with the European standard on eInvoicing (see Directive 2014/55/EU) amongst both public and private entities established in the EU, as well as in participating EEA countries.
What is the funding for?
2017 is a major year for eInvoicing in Europe. The European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) has published a number of deliverables around the European standard, with the final standard due to be ready in the coming months. In this context, CEF grant funding aims to:
- Foster the uptake of eInvoicing solutions compliant with the European Standard: public entities will be supported for putting in place eInvoicing solutions compliant with the European Standard and its ancillary deliverables;
- Support the update of eInvoicing solutions compliant with the European Standard: to ensure full compatibility of the existing solutions with the European Standard and its ancillary deliverables, solutions providers and public authorities will be supported for updating their eInvoicing solutions accordingly;
- Facilitate the integration of CEF eDelivery services;
For more information on the European standard, see the recent publication of the eInvoicing semantic data model by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN).
Who is the funding available for?
- One or more Member States (European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) may participate);
- With the agreement of the Member States or EEA countries concerned, international organisations, Joint Undertakings, or public or private undertakings or bodies established in Member States;
- Third countries and entities established in third countries may only participate as part of a consortium with applicants from EU/EEA countries;
- Any applicant that cannot provide the agreement of the EU Member State or EEA country concerned will not be eligible;
- Only actions which can be identified as "projects of common interest" as defined in the Telecom Guidelines may receive EU financial assistance;
On 5 July 2017 the European Commission is hosting a webinar looking at how to apply for CEF funding, and examples of beneficiaries.
On 12 September 2017, the Innovation & Networks Executive Agency (INEA) is organising an Info Day looking at how to apply for CEF funding, and examples of beneficiaries.
Ready to get started?
Via the INEA website you can access the call text, outlining the details and all he information you need to apply. Please ensure you read through all the documents provided by INEA carefully!
Read the official INEA press release on the launch of this call for proposals: