LIFE: the complete guide to European funding for the environment, climate, biodiversity and the energy transition

The LIFE programme is the European Union's financial instrument dedicated exclusively to the environment and climate action.

For the 2021-2027 period, it has a European envelope of €5.432 billion. It funds projects that contribute to protecting biodiversity, transitioning towards a circular economy, combating pollution, adapting to climate change and the clean energy transition.

LIFE has an important distinguishing feature: it does not simply fund conventional environmental investments. It seeks to support projects capable of demonstrating a solution, producing measurable results and promoting its replication on a larger scale.

A company that simply wants to purchase less energy-intensive equipment does not necessarily fit the logic of the programme. On the other hand, a company developing an innovative recycling process, demonstrating a water treatment technology or developing a replicable solution for reducing emissions may present an interesting project.

Potential beneficiaries are numerous:

• SMEs and mid-caps;
• large companies;
• local and regional authorities;
• public institutions;
• associations and NGOs;
• universities and research organisations;
• cooperatives;
• consortia bringing together public and private players.

The programme is managed directly by the European Commission, mainly through the CINEA agency. French applicants can nevertheless benefit from free support from the ministry responsible for the ecological transition and the LIFE national contact points.

LIFE therefore represents a funding opportunity for environmental companies, industrial players, energy stakeholders, circular economy operators and organisations developing solutions in support of the ecological transition.

1. Understanding the LIFE 2021-2027 programme

1.1. A European envelope of €5.432 billion

The European regulation 2021/783 establishing the LIFE programme provides for an envelope of €5.432 billion for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027.

This envelope is divided between two major areas and four sub-programmes.

Area	Sub-programme	Indicative budget
Environment	Nature and biodiversity	€2.143bn
Environment	Circular economy and quality of life	€1.345bn
Climate action	Climate change mitigation and adaptation	€947m
Climate action	Clean energy transition	€997m
Total	LIFE Programme	€5.432bn

The Environment area represents €3.488 billion and the Climate action area €1.944 billion.

These amounts are European programming envelopes. They do not constitute budgets directly available to French companies.

1.2. A European programme under direct management

Unlike FEDER or FSE+, LIFE is not based on a conventional allocation of envelopes among French Regions.

Calls are published by the European Commission on the Funding & Tenders portal.

The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) is involved in managing numerous calls and in monitoring projects.

The French ministry responsible for the ecological transition plays a complementary role:

• informing applicants;
• advising on eligibility criteria;
• assisting with project design;
• helping to find partners;
• organising webinars;
• reviewing proposals;
• preparing applications.

The final selection remains European. French support does not constitute a grant award and does not guarantee selection.

1.3. LIFE funds demonstrators and replicable solutions

LIFE aims in particular to:

• test and validate new approaches;
• demonstrate the technical, economic or regulatory feasibility of an innovation;
• contribute to the implementation of European policies;
• improve the implementation of environmental legislation;
• accelerate the dissemination of effective solutions;
• promote the transfer and replication of results.

Replication potential is a decisive factor.

A project that addresses a very local environmental problem, with no possibility of transfer or dissemination, will generally be less convincing than a project capable of demonstrating a method applicable in several territories or sectors.

It is also important to clearly distinguish LIFE from research programmes such as Horizon Europe: LIFE is not intended to fund fundamental research projects or heavy infrastructure.

2. Sub-programme 1 — Nature and biodiversity

2.1. Objective: protecting and restoring ecosystems

The Nature and biodiversity sub-programme has an indicative envelope of €2.143 billion.

It aims to halt the loss of biodiversity and improve the conservation status of species and natural habitats.

Projects may concern:

• protection of endangered species;
• restoration of natural habitats;
• preservation of wetlands;
• protection of marine environments;
• restoration of forest ecosystems;
• combating invasive alien species;
• restoration of ecological corridors;
• conservation of protected species;
• management of Natura 2000 sites;
• restoration of degraded natural environments.

Projects must fit within European nature protection policies, in particular the Habitats and Birds Directives and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.

2.2. Can companies apply?

Yes. Private companies can be beneficiaries or partners of a LIFE Nature and biodiversity project.

The profiles concerned may in particular be:

• ecological engineering companies;
• companies specialising in habitat restoration;
• natural area management operators;
• companies developing biodiversity monitoring technologies;
• companies offering solutions to combat invasive species;
• companies specialising in nature-based solutions.

Environmental associations, local authorities, public institutions and scientific organisations are also frequent project leaders.

However, a company must demonstrate that its project directly contributes to the sub-programme's objectives and that it goes beyond an ordinary commercial service.

2.3. Standard action projects — Nature SAP

Standard Action Projects (SAP) are the most conventional category of LIFE projects.

They are used to resolve a clearly identified environmental problem.

Projects must propose concrete actions, measurable objectives and a methodology for demonstrating results.

The co-financing rate can reach:

• 60% of eligible costs in the general case;
• 75% for certain projects exclusively targeting priority habitats or species meeting European criteria.

The 75% rate is not a general bonus for all biodiversity projects. The targeting of species and habitats must be demonstrated according to the precise criteria of the call.

Projects may be led by a single beneficiary or by a consortium. European partnership is not systematically mandatory for Nature SAPs.

2.4. Example: LIFE STOP EXTINCTION in French Polynesia

The LIFE STOP EXTINCTION project aims to preserve five particularly endangered bird species in French Polynesia.

It includes in particular:

• habitat restoration;
• combating invasive alien species;
• creation of safety populations;
• scientific monitoring;
• raising awareness among local communities.

The project is led by the Société d'ornithologie de Polynésie française SOP Manu.

It illustrates the LIFE programme's interest in conservation projects requiring coordinated interventions over several years.

Note: French Polynesia is an overseas country and territory (OCT). Its legal status should be distinguished from that of the European Union's outermost regions, even though LIFE can intervene in both categories of territory.

3. Sub-programme 2 — Circular economy and quality of life

3.1. An envelope of €1.345 billion

The Circular economy and quality of life sub-programme has an indicative envelope of €1.345 billion.

It aims to improve the management of natural resources and accelerate the transition towards a more circular economy.

The areas concerned are in particular:

• waste and recycling;
• reuse;
• eco-design;
• circular economy;
• air pollution;
• water pollution;
• soil pollution;
• sustainable resource management;
• reduction of hazardous substances;
• improvement of environmental quality;
• cleaner industrial processes.

3.2. Industrial and technological projects

This sub-programme is of particular interest to industrial companies developing environmental solutions.

Projects may in particular cover:

• demonstration of recycling processes;
• separation and recovery of materials;
• treatment of industrial water;
• reduction of polluting discharges;
• resource recovery;
• recovery of by-products;
• reduction in the use of virgin raw materials;
• reduction of pollutant emissions;
• implementation of circular industrial processes.

A company developing a new waste treatment or water recycling process may therefore consider LIFE if it is able to demonstrate the environmental benefits and the possibility of replicating the solution.

3.3. Example: LIFE ZEUS and industrial water recycling

The LIFE ZEUS project, built around a solution developed by CHEMDOC Water Technologies, aims to demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of a process moving towards zero liquid discharge in a beverage plant.

The project concerns the site of the company MONIN in Bourges.

The solution is based on the separation and recovery of several streams:

• high-quality water;
• mineral salts;
• organic compounds that can be recovered for biogas production.

The project illustrates the type of approach expected by LIFE: demonstrating a concrete industrial solution, measuring its results and enabling its replication in other facilities.

3.4. Funding rates

For standard projects under the Circular economy and quality of life sub-programme, the European co-financing rate is generally 60% of eligible costs.

Projects must have a coherent financing plan, incorporating own contributions, complementary funding and other authorised resources.

European funding must not generate an unjustified profit with regard to the rules of the grant agreement.

3.5. Water, air and soil quality projects

Projects may also target:

• improvement of treatment systems;
• reduction of diffuse pollution;
• reduction of emissions of hazardous substances;
• restoration of soil quality;
• prevention of industrial pollution;
• improvement of air quality;
• protection of water resources.

Companies specialising in the environment, engineering and clean technologies may be interested, particularly when they develop demonstrator solutions.

4. Sub-programme 3 — Climate change mitigation and adaptation

4.1. An envelope of €947 million

The Climate sub-programme has an indicative envelope of €947 million.

It supports projects that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the consequences of climate change.

Interventions may concern:

• energy efficiency;
• decarbonisation;
• low-carbon agriculture;
• territorial resilience;
• adaptation of infrastructure;
• nature-based solutions;
• management of climate risks;
• flood prevention;
• coastal resilience;
• reduction of emissions in transport and industry.

4.2. Mitigation: reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Mitigation projects must contribute to reducing emissions or strengthening decarbonisation capacity.

They may in particular concern:

• reduction of industrial emissions;
• changes in agricultural practices;
• reduction of emissions linked to buildings;
• reduction of emissions in transport;
• demonstration of low-carbon solutions;
• reduction of methane emissions;
• improvement of energy systems.

An industrial company can therefore consider a LIFE project if it develops and demonstrates an emissions-reduction method with significant environmental value and replication potential.

4.3. Adaptation: making territories and activities more resilient

Adaptation to climate change concerns projects that reduce the vulnerability of territories, infrastructure and economic activities.

Operations may in particular cover:

• restoration of wetlands;
• coastal protection;
• flood risk management;
• combating urban heat islands;
• adaptation of agricultural practices;
• soil restoration;
• sustainable water management;
• nature-based solutions;
• ecosystem resilience.

Companies can participate in demonstration projects, particularly in environmental engineering, resource management and adaptation technologies.

4.4. Co-financing rates

For standard Climate projects, the LIFE co-financing rate can reach 60% of eligible costs.

The average budgets announced for standard Climate projects are generally between €2 million and €5 million.

Project duration is often three to five years, with durations that may be longer depending on the nature of the operations and the rules of the call.

4.5. Example: LIFE adapto+ and coastal resilience

The LIFE adapto+ project aims to demonstrate how nature-based solutions can contribute to the adaptation of the coastline.

The Conservatoire du littoral is notably involved in this type of approach.

The objective is to promote more resilient management of coastal areas by relying on the natural functioning of ecosystems.

This is an example of a project in which environmental benefits, risk management and territorial adaptation are closely linked.

5. Sub-programme 4 — Clean energy transition

5.1. An envelope of €997 million

The Clean Energy Transition (CET) sub-programme has an indicative envelope of €997 million.

It differs from the other LIFE sub-programmes in how it operates.

It is not primarily intended to fund the purchase or construction of energy facilities. Rather, it supports actions that help remove structural obstacles to the deployment of the energy transition.

Projects may in particular concern:

• skills development;
• training of professionals;
• structuring of industry sectors;
• funding schemes;
• support for local authorities;
• regulatory frameworks;
• cooperation between stakeholders;
• improvement of market mechanisms;
• mobilisation of private investment;
• energy communities;
• energy efficiency of buildings.

5.2. Coordination and support actions — CSA

Coordination and Support Actions are the characteristic instruments of the CET sub-programme.

They fund coordination, support, awareness-raising and capacity-building actions.

Calls are often prescriptive: the Commission defines precise topics and expects proposals that respond directly to these priorities.

The indicative budget of a project is frequently between €1 million and €2 million.

The co-financing rate can reach 95%.

An international partnership may be required, notably with several players from several Member States.

5.3. Examples of possible projects

Topics may concern:

• energy renovation of buildings;
• one-stop renovation shops;
• mobilisation of private funding;
• training of building professionals;
• energy communities;
• improving access to funding for clean energy projects;
• decarbonisation of companies;
• support for local authorities in their energy strategies.

5.4. An opportunity for energy services companies

Companies specialising in energy services can participate in market structuring projects.

The profiles concerned are in particular:

• energy consulting firms;
• energy renovation operators;
• energy services companies;
• professional federations;
• funding platforms;
• training organisations;
• local authorities;
• energy stakeholder networks.

However, the project must correspond to a precise call. A simple request for funding to install solar panels does not, on its own, fit the logic of the CET sub-programme.

6. What types of LIFE projects can be funded?

Beyond the four sub-programmes, LIFE uses several categories of projects.

6.1. Standard action projects — SAP

SAPs are the classic LIFE projects.

They aim to resolve a clearly identified environmental or climate problem.

They can be led by companies, associations, local authorities or public bodies.

Projects must:

• identify a problem;
• propose a method of intervention;
• demonstrate European added value;
• provide for measurable results;
• organise performance monitoring;
• explain the possibilities for replication.

There is no general obligation to form a European consortium for Nature, Circular economy and Climate SAPs.

6.2. Strategic integrated projects — SIP

Strategic Integrated Projects are intended to implement large-scale environmental and climate strategies or plans.

They mainly concern the following components:

• Circular economy and quality of life;
• Climate.

They aim to remove the obstacles that prevent the full implementation of a plan or public policy.

Projects may in particular concern:

• a regional waste management plan;
• a regional climate adaptation strategy;
• an air quality management plan;
• a water management strategy;
• a territorial decarbonisation plan.

The project leader must be the entity responsible for the plan or policy concerned.

Private companies can participate in the consortium, contribute expertise or develop solutions necessary for implementation.

The budgets for these projects are substantial: the French ministry indicates orders of magnitude of €10 million to €30 million, with European co-financing of 60%.

6.3. Strategic nature projects — SNaP

Strategic Nature Projects follow a logic similar to SIPs, but are dedicated to biodiversity.

They aim to implement coherent large-scale action programmes.

Projects may concern:

• national biodiversity strategies;
• nature restoration plans;
• conservation policies;
• habitat management strategies;
• species action plans.

Private companies and organisations can act as partners when their expertise is required.

6.4. Technical assistance projects — TA

LIFE technical assistance includes in particular two categories:

TA-PP: Technical Assistance for Project Preparation

It allows funding for the preparation of a strategic LIFE project.

The aim is to help project leaders build their application, structure partnerships and prepare the proposal.

TA-R: Technical Assistance for Replication

It aims to remove administrative, technical or regulatory obstacles that prevent the large-scale replication of solutions already demonstrated.

For the 2026 call, the ministry indicates that specific TA-R calls are integrated into the governance components of standard projects.

6.5. Projects responding to legislative and policy priorities — PLP

PLP calls are particularly targeted.

They aim to respond to legislative and strategic priorities defined with the Member States.

They are therefore not an open call for all environmental ideas.

For the 2026 call, the ministry indicates a co-financing rate of up to 90%, with grants ranging from €500,000 to €8 million depending on the priorities.

6.6. Operating grants to NGOs

LIFE can also support certain non-governmental organisations through operating grants.

This funding is separate from grants awarded to specific projects.

It aims to support organisations that contribute to the development, implementation and monitoring of European policies in the fields of environment and climate.

Conditions are specific, and calls may be reserved for organisations meeting particular criteria.

The French ministry indicates that there will be no new NGO operating grant call in 2027 under the current programming.

7. Who can benefit from the LIFE programme?

The LIFE programme is open to public and private legal entities established in the European Union or in countries associated with the programme, subject to the conditions of each call.

7.1. Companies and SMEs

Companies can be direct beneficiaries.

The sectors particularly concerned include:

• recycling;
• water treatment;
• waste management;
• decontamination;
• environmental technologies;
• energy efficiency;
• low-carbon solutions;
• ecological engineering;
• climate adaptation;
• sustainable agriculture;
• environmental measurement and monitoring technologies.

A company must demonstrate the project's environmental contribution and its capacity to carry it out.

7.2. Mid-caps and large companies

Mid-caps and large companies can also participate.

They can lead demonstrator projects, join consortia or make industrial sites available to test solutions.

It is important to demonstrate that the project goes beyond a simple internal modernisation investment and presents broader environmental added value.

7.3. Local and regional authorities

Local authorities can lead projects for ecological restoration, climate adaptation, water management, air quality or the energy transition.

They can also be partners in a project led by a company or a specialised organisation.

7.4. Associations and NGOs

Environmental associations are important players in the programme.

They can in particular be involved in:

• biodiversity protection;
• habitat restoration;
• awareness-raising;
• environmental governance;
• combating pollution;
• conservation projects.

7.5. Universities and research organisations

Higher education institutions and scientific organisations can contribute to LIFE projects.

They can provide scientific expertise, carry out monitoring, develop measurement protocols or participate in evaluating results.

Note: LIFE is not a fundamental research funding programme. Scientific activities must directly serve the demonstration and implementation of the project.

8. What LIFE grant rate can be obtained?

The rate depends on the sub-programme and the type of project.

Type of project	Indicative maximum rate
SAP — Circular economy	60%
SAP — Climate	60%
SAP — Nature and biodiversity	60%
SAP — eligible priority habitats or species	Up to 75%
CET — coordination and support actions	Up to 95%
PLP	Up to 90%
SIP and SNaP	60%

These rates are ceilings. They do not guarantee that the project will receive this level of funding.

Example of funding for an industrial project

An SME develops an industrial water recycling process.

The total eligible budget of the project is €3 million.

If the project is selected under a Circular economy SAP call with a co-financing rate of 60%, the LIFE contribution can reach:

€3,000,000 × 60% = €1,800,000

The company and its partners must therefore fund the remaining €1.2 million.

This calculation is illustrative. The final amount depends on the expenses accepted, the rules of the call, the grant agreement and the allocation between beneficiaries.

Example of a CET energy project

A European consortium sets up a training and support programme for energy renovation stakeholders.

Eligible budget: €1.5 million.

With a rate of 95%, the European contribution could reach €1.425 million.

The project must nevertheless respond exactly to the topic of the call and comply with the partnership conditions.

9. What expenses are eligible under the LIFE programme?

Cost rules are specified in each call and in the grant agreement.

The main categories may include:

9.1. Personnel costs

Salaries of staff assigned to the project may be eligible:

• engineers;
• technicians;
• project managers;
• environmental specialists;
• coordinators;
• experts;
• monitoring and evaluation staff.

Working time must be justified in accordance with European rules.

9.2. Equipment and materials

Certain equipment may be funded when necessary for carrying out the project.

Depending on the call and the applicable rules, the expense may be taken into account according to the depreciation or cost arrangements provided for in the agreement.

This should not be equated with a general subsidy for the purchase of industrial equipment.

9.3. External services

Services necessary for the project may be eligible:

• technical studies;
• analyses;
• expert assessments;
• laboratory services;
• tests;
• evaluations;
• specialised services.

Purchases must comply with competitive tendering rules and subcontracting conditions.

9.4. Consumables and operating costs

Certain consumables directly linked to the actions may be accepted.

Indirect costs may be covered according to the flat rates provided for in the grant agreement.

9.5. Ineligible or at-risk expenses

Expenses must be examined in light of the call and the agreement.

The main risks concern:

• expenses with no direct link to the project;
• costs already funded by another European grant;
• expenses incurred outside the eligibility period;
• unjustified costs;
• investments that do not have a demonstrator character;
• heavy infrastructure expenses;
• fundamental research activities.

10. How to prepare a LIFE application?

A LIFE application is a demanding European file.

It must demonstrate not only the technical quality of the project, but also its environmental interest, its European added value and its capacity to produce measurable results.

Step 1 — Identify the environmental problem

The application must start from a clearly defined problem.

It is necessary to document:

• the current situation;
• the causes of the problem;
• the environmental impacts;
• the limitations of existing solutions;
• the needs of the territory or sector;
• the objectives to be achieved.

Step 2 — Choose the right sub-programme

The project must be positioned according to its main objective:

• biodiversity and ecological restoration: Nature and biodiversity;
• waste, recycling, water, soil and pollution: Circular economy and quality of life;
• emissions reduction and adaptation: Climate;
• structuring the energy transition: Clean Energy Transition.

A project may have positive effects in several areas, but it is necessary to identify the sub-programme that best matches its main objective.

Step 3 — Demonstrate the innovative character

Innovation does not necessarily mean developing an entirely new technology.

It can lie in:

• a new method;
• an improved process;
• a combination of technologies;
• a new economic model;
• a different organisation;
• a solution that removes a regulatory or financial obstacle.

It is necessary to explain what distinguishes the project from existing practices.

Step 4 — Build result indicators

Results must be measurable.

Depending on the project, indicators may concern:

• tonnes of waste avoided;
• volumes of water saved;
• CO₂ emissions avoided;
• areas restored;
• protected species;
• quantities of materials recycled;
• reduced energy consumption;
• people trained;
• investments mobilised.

Indicators must be consistent with the objectives of the call.

Step 5 — Demonstrate replicability

This is an essential point.

The project leader must explain how the results can be replicated:

• on other industrial sites;
• in other regions;
• in other Member States;
• in other economic sectors;
• by other local authorities or companies.

It is also necessary to identify the obstacles to dissemination and the means of removing them.

Step 6 — Build the partnership

A consortium can strengthen the project when skills are complementary.

It can bring together:

• a technology company;
• an industrial user;
• a scientific organisation;
• a local authority;
• an association;
• a dissemination operator;
• a European partner.

A partnership is not mandatory for all SAPs. It is, however, often essential, or even required, for certain CET calls and strategic projects.

Step 7 — Build the budget

The budget must be consistent with the activities and expected results.

It is necessary in particular to:

• allocate expenses between partners;
• justify human resources;
• identify the necessary equipment;
• cost out services;
• plan for monitoring costs;
• secure co-financing;
• check the cumulation rules.

Step 8 — Submit on Funding & Tenders

Submission takes place on the European Funding & Tenders portal.

The project leader must have an account, register their organisation and obtain the credentials necessary for the application.

The proposal must comply with the templates and sections of the relevant call.

11. The 2026 LIFE calls: what was open and what to prepare in 2027

The 2026 LIFE calls were published on 21 April 2026.

The standard calls for the Nature, Circular economy and Climate sub-programmes had a deadline of 22 September 2026.

As of 30 October 2026, these calls are therefore closed.

The 2026 calls notably covered:

• Nature and biodiversity standard projects;
• Circular economy and quality of life standard projects;
• Climate standard projects;
• environmental governance actions;
• CET coordination and support actions;
• SIP and SNaP strategic projects;
• technical assistance projects;
• legislative and policy priorities.

The CINEA portal and the French ministry indicate that a new call is expected in 2027, with publication expected around April and deadlines similar to those around September.

This will be the last call of the LIFE 2021-2027 programming period.

The French ministry indicates an indicative budget of around €600 million for the 2027 call, divided between the various project categories.

It is therefore worth starting now to prepare projects that could be submitted in 2027.

11.1. The 2026 calls in figures

Some examples of envelopes announced in the 2026 calls:

Call	Indicative budget
Nature and biodiversity SAP	€173.5 M
Circular economy and quality of life SAP	€85.5 M
PLP	€18 M

These amounts are the budgets of the European calls, not envelopes reserved for France.

Conditions, rates and ceilings are defined in the documents for each topic.

12. Examples of French projects funded by LIFE

The French ministry indicates that 57 French projects were selected under the 2021-2024 calls.

The projects represent a diversity of beneficiaries: companies, associations, local authorities and public bodies.

12.1. LIFE STOP EXTINCTION

Project to protect five endangered bird species in French Polynesia.

Leader: Société d'ornithologie de Polynésie française SOP Manu.

Theme: nature and biodiversity.

12.2. LIFE ZEUS

Project demonstrating an advanced industrial water recycling process, aiming for zero liquid discharge.

Technology leader: CHEMDOC Water Technologies.

Demonstration site: MONIN plant in Bourges.

Theme: circular economy and water quality.

12.3. LIFE adapto+

Project to restore and adapt coastal territories through nature-based solutions.

Leader: Conservatoire du littoral.

Theme: climate change adaptation.

12.4. LIFE Vinoshield

Project dedicated to protecting vineyards against climate variations.

Theme: climate adaptation and agriculture.

12.5. LIFE Otter

Project dedicated to energy renovation and mobilising homeowners to accelerate works.

Territories mentioned: Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolitan area and Eurométropole de Strasbourg.

Theme: clean energy transition.

12.6. LIFE ENERPROD

Project aiming to accelerate citizen-led renewable energy projects.

Theme: clean energy transition.

These examples show that LIFE does not only concern large environmental associations. Private companies can also be at the heart of demonstrator and technological projects.

13. LIFE, FEDER, Innovation Fund and Horizon Europe: what are the differences?

It is important to distinguish between European programmes in order to avoid proposing the wrong funding to a company.

Programme	Main objective	Type of project
LIFE	Environment, biodiversity, climate, energy transition	Demonstration and replication of solutions
FEDER	Regional development, competitiveness and infrastructure	Investments and territorial development
Innovation Fund	Innovative industrial decarbonisation technologies	Low-carbon industrial deployment
Horizon Europe	Research and innovation	Research, development and innovation
InvestEU	Mobilisation of private investment	Loans, guarantees and financial instruments

LIFE or FEDER?

FEDER can fund productive investments, equipment and certain infrastructure as part of regional priorities.

LIFE seeks to demonstrate an environmental solution and promote its dissemination.

An investment in a new production line may fall under FEDER if regional conditions allow.

A project aiming to demonstrate an innovative industrial recycling process, with measurable and replicable environmental results, may fall under LIFE.

LIFE or Innovation Fund?

The Innovation Fund targets innovative technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and their large-scale deployment.

LIFE covers a broader environmental spectrum: biodiversity, pollution, circular economy, climate and the energy transition.

An industrial decarbonisation project may therefore need to compare the two programmes depending on its level of maturity, its technology and its objective.

LIFE or Horizon Europe?

Horizon Europe funds research and innovation.

LIFE is instead involved in the demonstration, implementation and replication of solutions in support of environmental and climate policies.

A project may sometimes fit into a trajectory where Horizon Europe funds the research work and LIFE then supports the environmental demonstration, provided the cumulation and non-double-funding rules are respected.

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FAQ — European LIFE programme

What is the budget of the LIFE programme?

The LIFE programme has a budget of €5.432 billion for the 2021-2027 period.

Can a company obtain a LIFE grant?

Yes. Private companies, SMEs, mid-caps and large companies can apply when they lead a project that meets the programme's objectives.

What is the LIFE grant rate?

The rate depends on the sub-programme and the type of project. It can reach 60% for standard projects, 75% for certain Nature projects targeting priority habitats or species, 90% for certain PLP calls and 95% for CET actions.

Does LIFE fund industrial investments?

It can fund equipment and expenses necessary for a demonstrator project. However, it is not a general aid scheme for purchasing machinery or modernising a factory.

Does LIFE fund research projects?

No, LIFE is not intended to fund fundamental research. It mainly funds the demonstration, implementation and replication of environmental solutions.

Can an SME apply alone?

Yes, for certain SAP calls, a consortium is not mandatory. Other calls require partnerships or cooperation between several Member States.

Is a European partner mandatory?

No. This requirement does not apply to all types of projects. It depends on the sub-programme and the call concerned.

What is the duration of a LIFE project?

Projects often last three to five years. The maximum duration can reach ten years for certain standard projects, depending on the applicable rules.

Can you obtain 95% funding?

Yes, for certain coordination and support actions under the Clean Energy Transition sub-programme. This rate does not apply to all LIFE projects.

How do you submit an application?

The application is submitted on the European Funding & Tenders portal, according to the procedures and timetable of the call.

Is there support available in France?

Yes. The ministry responsible for the ecological transition and the LIFE national contact points offer free support, within the capacity limits of the scheme.

Are the 2026 LIFE calls still open?

The main 2026 calls mentioned here had a deadline of 22 September 2026. As of 30 October 2026, they are closed. A new call is expected in 2027.

Does the LIFE programme fund projects in overseas territories?

Yes. The programme can operate in the European Union's outermost regions and in overseas countries and territories, subject to the conditions of each call.

Conclusion

The LIFE programme represents a major opportunity for companies and organisations developing environmental, climate and energy solutions.

Its distinguishing feature is to fund projects capable of demonstrating concrete results and promoting their replication on a large scale.

The most interesting opportunities for companies notably concern industrial recycling, water treatment, pollution reduction, environmental technologies, biodiversity and climate adaptation solutions.

The 2021-2027 programming period is entering its final phase: the 2027 call will be the last of this period. Companies wishing to apply should therefore start structuring their project now, identifying partners and preparing the technical and financial elements.

For Capital OS, LIFE should be treated as a strategic European programme, with a matching engine based on the nature of the project and the expected environmental benefits rather than solely on the company's sector of activity.

Last updated: 30 October 2026.