LIFE - Calls for proposals

NEW: LIFE Calls for proposals 2022 – publication dates

All LIFE Calls for proposals 2022 are expected to be published on the Funding & tender opportunities portal on 17 May 2022.

From 18 – 20 May, CINEA will hold virtual information sessions to guide potential applicants through the LIFE 22 Calls for proposals.

Register here to attend the sessions, ask questions and book bilateral meetings with potential applicants, National Contact Points and CINEA experts.

To be better prepared and ask your questions, please watch the following recordings from last year. Their content is still valid:

Nature and biodiversity

Circular economy and quality of life

Anticipated submission deadlines:

Standard Action Projects (SAPs) for circular economy and quality of life, nature and biodiversity, climate change mitigation and adaptation sub-programmes: 4 October 2022
LIFE Action Grants for clean energy transition sub-programme: 16 November 2022
Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) and Strategic Nature Projects (SNAPs):
- Concept notes: 8 September 2022
- Full proposals: 7 March 2023
Technical Assistance preparation for SIPs and SNAPs: 8 September 2022
Specific Operating Grant Agreements (SGA OG) for non-profit making entities: 21 September 2022

Type of grants

Standard Action Projects (SAP)

Projects, other than strategic integrated projects, strategic nature projects or technical assistance projects, that pursue the specific objectives of the LIFE programme.

Strategic Nature Projects (SNAP)

Projects that support the achievement of Union nature and biodiversity objectives by implementing coherent programmes of action in Member States in order to mainstream those objectives and priorities into other policies and financing instruments, including through coordinated implementation of the prioritised action frameworks adopted pursuant to Directive 92/43/EEC.

Strategic Integrated Projects (SIP)

Projects that implement, on a regional, multi-regional, national or transnational scale, environmental or climate strategies or action plans developed by Member States' authorities and required by specific environmental, climate or relevant energy legislation or policy of the Union, while ensuring that stakeholders are involved and promoting coordination with and mobilisation of at least one other Union, national or private funding source.

Technical Assistance Projects (TA)

Projects that support the development of capacity for participation in standard action projects, the preparation of strategic nature projects and strategic integrated projects, the preparation for accessing other Union financial instruments or other measures necessary for preparing the upscaling or replication of results from other projects funded by the LIFE programme, its predecessor programmes or other Union programmes, with a view to pursuing the LIFE programme objectives set out in Article 3; such projects can also include capacity-building related to the activities of Member States' authorities for effective participation in the LIFE programme.

Other Action Grants (OAG)

Actions needed for the purpose of achieving the general objective of the LIFE programme, including coordination and support actions aimed at capacity-building, at dissemination of information and of knowledge, and at awareness-raising to support the transition to renewable energy and increased energy efficiency.

Operating Grants (OG)

Grants that support the functioning of non-profit making entities which are involved in the development, implementation and enforcement of Union legislation and policy, and which are primarily active in the area of the environment or climate action, including energy transition, in line with the objectives of the LIFE programme.

Evaluation

Project proposals submitted under LIFE calls are evaluated and scored against selection and award criteria.

Support for applicants

Guidance on the application process, evaluation and grant signature, and working as an expert will be available on the Funding & Tender portal.

Please see our dedicated page on Support for Applicants.

Expert evaluators

The LIFE Programme appoints external experts to assist in the evaluation of grant applications, projects and tenders.

If you have skills and experiences in the sustainable energy field and like to evaluate proposals submitted under the LIFE Clean Energy Transition sub-programme, please register in the European Commission’s database of independent experts.

If you have skills and experiences in the fields of nature & biodiversity, circular economy and climate action and like to evaluate in the LIFE sub-programmes Nature and Biodiversity, Circular economy and quality of life, Climate change mitigation and adaptation, please register your interest with the external Framework Contractor.

Potential expert evaluators can register interest for any of the LIFE sub-programmes.