Guidelines for applicants
Guidelines for Applicants are published on the Internet and by any other appropriate media (specialised press, local publications, etc.) whenever a call for proposals is launched. They should also be available in hard copy from the EC relevant office and in the languages appropriate to the context of the call for proposals.
The Guidelines contain specific reference to the financial instrument, its objectives and priorities for action. The applicant must make sure to align its project objectives with those of the programme financing the CfPs.
The Guidelines include important, mandatory instructions explaining:
- the purpose of the call;
- the rules regarding eligibility of applicants and implementing partners;
- the type of actions and costs that are eligible for financing; and
- the evaluation (selection and award) criteria applied by the Contracting Authority.
They also contain instructions on how to fill in the application form, what annexes to include and what procedures to follow to apply.
Furthermore, the Guidelines provide information on the evaluation process that will follow (including an indicative timetable) and the contractual conditions which will apply to successful applicants.
The Guidelines are proper to each call for proposals. Nonetheless they are based on and sometimes add to the provisions set out in the legal basis of the financial instrument through which the call is financed. Additions generally consist in special criteria of eligibility (of applicants and costs) and conditions applicable to implementation. We suggest that applicants also read carefully the legal basis (i.e. basic act, Regulation) of the financial instrument of which the programme is part and any programming document ( AAP and AWP).
To sum up, the key information provided by the guidelines pertain to:
- EC funding and programming framework;
- eligibility criteria: applicants, implementing partners, actions, and costs;
- application procedures and submission of documents;
- evaluation and selection of applications;
- contracting.
Sources and useful links: