Closing dates for LIFE 2024 calls published

With just over two months to go until the launch of the LIFE 2024 programme, the European Union’s only instrument dedicated exclusively to climate action and the environment, the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) yesterday announced the closing dates for this year’s calls for proposals.

5 September 2024

This will be the last day to submit Concept Notes for Strategic Integrated Projects (SIP) and Strategic Nature Projects (SNAP), and also for Framework Partnership Agreements (FPA OG).

17 September 2024

This is the closing date for Standard Action Projects (SAP) to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and for Specific Operating Grant Agreements (SGA OG).

19 September 2024

This is the closing date for Standard Action Projects (SAPs) for the circular economy and quality of life, and for nature and biodiversity. It will also be the last day to apply for: Coordination and Support Action (CSA) grants for the Clean Energy Transition sub-programme; the preparation of technical assistance for SIPs and SNAPs; Technical assistance replication; and LIFE Preparatory Projects (addressing ad hoc Legislative and Policy Priorities – PLP).

5 March 2025

Last day to submit full SNAP and SIP proposals.

Other relevant dates of LIFE Programme 2024

CINEA plans to publish the LIFE 2024 calls for proposals on the European Commission’s funding and opportunities portal on 18 April. The agency will hold virtual information sessions from 23 to 26 April.

Short LIFE glossary

The LIFE Programme is the European Union’s programme for environment and climate action for the period 2021-2027 and is one of the main contributors to the European Green Deal, which aims to: transform the EU into a just and prosperous society, with a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, where there are no net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and where economic growth is decoupled from resource use; protect, conserve and enhance the EU’s natural capital, and protect the health and well-being of citizens from environmental and climate-related risks and impacts.

Let’s discover the most important terminology to understand this programme.

Operating Grants (OG): grants that support the operation of non-profit organisations involved in the development, implementation and enforcement of EU legislation and policies, and primarily active in the field of environment or climate action, including energy transition, in line with the objectives of the LIFE Programme.

Other Action Grants (OAG): actions necessary to achieve the general objective of the LIFE programme, including coordination and support actions aimed at capacity building, dissemination of information and knowledge and awareness raising to support the transition to renewable energies and increased energy efficiency.

Standard Action Projects (SAP): projects, other than Strategic Integrated Projects, Strategic Nature Projects or Technical Assistance Projects, which pursue the specific objectives of the LIFE programme.

Strategic Integrated Projects (SIP): projects implementing, at regional, multi-regional, national or transnational level, environmental or climate strategies or action plans developed by Member State authorities and required by relevant specific EU environmental, climate or energy legislation or policy, while ensuring the involvement of stakeholders and promoting coordination with and mobilisation of at least one other source of EU, national or private funding.

Strategic Nature Projects (SNAP): projects that support the achievement of EU nature and biodiversity objectives through the implementation of coherent action programmes in the Member States, with the aim of integrating these objectives and priorities into other policies and funding instruments, including through the coordinated implementation of the priority action frameworks adopted under Directive 92/43/EEC.

Technical Assistance Projects (TA): projects supporting capacity building for participation in standard action projects, preparation of projects of a strategic nature and strategic integrated projects, preparation for accessing other EU financial instruments or other measures necessary to prepare for the extension or replication of the results of other projects funded by the LIFE programme, its predecessors or other programmes, in order to pursue the objectives set out in Article 3 of the LIFE programme. These projects may also include capacity building related to the activities of Member State authorities for effective participation in the LIFE programme.