Call closed LIFE 2026 — the EU programme for environment and climate (nature, circular economy, climate, clean energy)
The European Commission's LIFE 2026 calls, with a budget of €601.5 million, funded projects on nature, circular economy, climate and energy transition. Standard projects could be submitted until 22 September 2026, 17:00 (Brussels time). The deadline has passed.
- Who can apply
- Any legal entity, public or private, established in the EU or in an associated country, can apply…
- Total budget
- 601.5 million
- Funding amount
- The grant covers up to 60% of eligible costs for standard action projects (SAP) on the circular economy
- Submission period
- 21 April 2026 – 22 September 2026, 17:00
Checked against official sources on · funder: European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency · official source
This call window has closed. Most programmes reopen — we will notify you in good time and prepare your application before it does.
Who can apply
Any legal entity, public or private, established in the EU or in a country associated with the LIFE programme can apply: companies, NGOs, public authorities and research organisations. Natural persons are not eligible, except for authorised natural persons (PFA). Standard environmental projects do not require a consortium, so a Romanian company can apply on its own.
What it covers
- Pilot, demonstration or best-practice projects for nature and biodiversity
- Circular economy and zero pollution projects
- Climate change adaptation and mitigation projects
- Governance projects in the fields of nature, the environment and climate
- Actions for the clean energy transition
- Strategic nature projects (SNaP) and strategic integrated projects for the environment and climate (SIP)
- Technical assistance for preparing SNaP and SIP projects
- Operating grants for NGOs
We will notify you of the next round
- We analyse whether you qualify and under which programme exactly.
- We build the application: business plan, budget, supporting documents.
- We submit during the call window and follow the evaluation.
- We stay with you through the reimbursement file and final payment.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still submit a LIFE 2026 project today?
No. The deadline for standard projects (SAP), technical assistance and NGO operating grants was 22 September 2026, 17:00 (Brussels time). SNaP and SIP concept notes could be submitted until 3 September 2026. Only those who submitted a concept note can send the full proposal by 4 March 2027.
What was the budget of the LIFE 2026 calls?
The total budget was €601.5 million. Of this amount, €319 million went to standard action projects, €163 million to strategic projects, €103.5 million to other projects and actions (including €85.5 million for the clean energy transition), €15 million to operating grants for NGOs and €1 million to technical assistance.
How much of a standard project does LIFE fund?
For standard circular economy and zero pollution projects, the grant covers up to 60% of eligible costs, and the remainder is the beneficiary's co-financing. The grant must not generate a profit. The indicative budget of a project was €2–10 million.
Can a company from Romania apply to LIFE on its own?
Yes. Any public or private legal entity established in the EU can apply, and standard environmental projects do not require a consortium. Natural persons are not eligible, except for authorised natural persons. Before submitting, the organisation must register in the Participant Register on the Funding & Tenders portal.
When will the results of the LIFE 2026 call be known?
For standard projects, notification of the evaluation results is expected in February–March 2027, and the signing of the funding contracts in May–June 2027.
How do you submit a LIFE application?
The application is submitted electronically only, through the submission system of the European Commission's Funding & Tenders portal. Paper applications are not accepted. Use the forms in the submission system, not the documents on the call page.
How long does it take to prepare the application?
It depends on the complexity of the project and the documents you already have. The first step is the eligibility analysis, which tells you what needs to be prepared.
What happens if I do not qualify?
We tell you before any contract is signed, and if another suitable programme exists, we point you to it.
Next step
We will let you know about the next round — LIFE 2026 — the EU programme for the environment and climate (nature, circular economy, climate, clean energy)
Fill in the form and we will tell you whether you qualify. If you do not qualify under this programme, we will tell you which other one you could apply for — or that there is none, if that is the case.
or call us directly on 0755 167 167
Other programmes
CEF Transport 2026 — infrastructure projects on the trans-European TEN-T network
The 7 CEF Transport 2026 calls (CINEA) have €1.1 billion for TEN-T: railways, inland waterways, military mobility, ports, external borders, road digitalisation and the electrification of road freight transport and airports. Deadline: 6 October 2026, 17:00 CEST.
Call window openEIC Pathfinder Challenges 2026 — grants for deep-tech research (Horizon Europe)
The European Innovation Council provides up to 4 million euro per project (100% of eligible costs) for high-risk research on three themes: energy harvesting, healthy ageing and cognitive AI. The budget is 96 million euro. The deadline is 28 October 2026, 17:00.
Call window openEIC Accelerator 2026 — grant and investment for deep-tech start-ups and SMEs
EIC Accelerator funds deep-tech start-ups and SMEs with a grant of up to 2,499,999 euro (maximum 70% of costs) and an equity investment of 1–10 million euro through the EIC Fund. The 2026 budget is 634 million euro.