2020 LIFE calls for proposals

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, authorities have enacted mitigation strategies, such as social distancing. Since it might be harder to participate in this call for proposals, European Comission has decided to introduce a number of measures to lessen the restrictions that might impact 2020 LIFE call for proposals.

New confirmed measures

• All submission deadlines are being extended by one month.
• Applicants may register for a one-to-one short discussion about their project concept with one of our project advisors (a registration system will be set up once the call is published).
• Private entities are no longer obliged to launch open tenders for contracts above 135 000 euros.
• All projects will be allowed to financially support local initiatives that may contribute to the project objective. This will take the form of grants that the beneficiary may give (within certain limits) to third parties responsible for such initiatives. In this way, we hope to also facilitate access to LIFE financing to very small local groups that do not have the capacity to act as an associated beneficiary in the project, but could play a role in reaching the project objectives.
• A special section on start-up companies has been integrated into the guidelines. In this section, we invite larger companies to consider their LIFE project as a potential incubator for start-ups. Normally start-ups don't qualify as a coordinating beneficiary due to their limited financial capacity. They could however be a key player (owner of know-how or knowledge) in partnership with a larger company. In this way, the start-up may be given the chance to move to a full market development, and the larger company would gain access to the knowledge, while limiting the risk thanks to the LIFE support.

Environment sub-programme deadlines

Climate action sub-programme deadlines

No concept note is needed, the deadline for submitting the full proposal is 6 October, 2020

Applicants are encouraged to start preparing for the call by contacting the Help Desk team to discuss project ideas, partnerships and any other issues or questions: