The European Commission has published the new calls for proposals for the 2016 annual work programme of the LIFE Programme for the 2014-2017 period.

The calls will fund various types of projects under the two sub-programmes of the Programme: the Sub-programme “Environment”, consisting of the priority areas "Environment and Resource Efficiency", "Nature and Biodiversity", and "Environmental Governance and Information", and the Sub-programme “Climate Action”, consisting of the priority areas "Climate Change Mitigation", "Climate Change Adaptation", and "Climate Governance and Information".

The grants will fund the following types of projects: “traditional” projects, “preparatory” projects, “integrated” projects, “technical assistance” projects, and “capacity building” projects.

The 2016 calls feature significant changes compared to previous programming periods.

The total budget for grants for projects under the 2016 calls is over €337 million, of which €63.6 million is for the “Climate Action” Sub-programme and €273.9 million for the “Environment” sub-programme.

The maximum EU co-financing rate for projects will be up to 60% of eligible costs.

The deadline for submitting applications for “traditional” projects is:

7 September 2016 – “Climate Action” sub-programme

12 September 2016 – “Environment” sub-programme, “Environment and Resource Efficiency” priority area

15 September 2016 – “Environment” sub-programme, “Nature and Biodiversity” and “Environmental Governance and Information” priority areas

The European Commission will host an information day on the 2016 LIFE programme calls on 17 June in Brussels. Registration is open until 12 June at the following link:https://ec.europa.eu/easme/en/news/save-date-information-day-life-call-proposals-17-june . The event will also be available to watch via live webstreaming.

For further information, please consult the official website of the LIFE programme.