The project submission and selection process is of multi-stage character and consists of the following steps: calling for projects, submission of applications, evaluation of application, selection of eligible projects, submission of recommended applications to the Financial Mechanism Office in Brussels, evaluation and selection of projects by donor countries. The process is concluded with the signing of Grant Agreements that constitute a basis for realization of the project.

Conducting the calls for projects  and the first stage of the project evaluation process is the responsibility of domestic institutions. As a general rule, the final decision on awarding support for the implementation of a given project is made by donor countries’ institutions. In case of block grants  and seed money appraisal and approval process of sub-projects is performed only domestic side and their award depends on a decision taken by intermediary for a given block grant, in accordance with criteria and rules determined in the Grant Agreement.

Due to its multi-stage character, the process of calling for proposals and selecting projects lasts for several months. The period may be shortened for block grants.

Call for proposals

On general, call for proposals is organized once a year for the whole annual allocation. Final decision on the frequency of calls will be mainly determined by the number of projects submitted in a previous application round and the use of the funds. Call for projects announcements are placed until resources allocated to a given priority sector have been used up.

First call for proposal is announced by the  Focal Point in co-operation with Intermediate Bodies, jointly for all the types of projects within all the priority areas. In the next years call for proposals will be issued by Intermediate Bodies, unless agreement with the Financial Mechanism Office is made otherwise.

Call for proposals notice for sub-projects will be organized by the intermediary for given block grant in accordance with criteria and rules determined in the Grant Agreement.

Submitting applications

Applications submitted within priority sectors may be in a form of:

• individual projects; 
• programmes (groups of projects).

Applications are prepared in Polish with the use of application forms that can be obtained from a location specified in the call for projects (only applications recommended by the Steering Committees will be translated by applicants into English). A standard application form is available from the section DOCUMENTS together with the instructions how to fill it in.  Relevant appendices are to be attached to the application, in compliance with the requirements specified in the form.

Intermediate Bodies may compose list of supporting documents for particular priority sectors.  The list will be  placed  on the website of the Intermediate Body.
If the number of each of the Appendices exceeds 20, beneficiary prepares also its  summary.

Beneficiary submits application in Polish language. Applications need to be submitted in hard copy and in an electronic version, in a number of copies that complies with the requirements set out in the announcement. Applications are collected at a location and in time specified in the announcement.

Upon submission, applications are subject to registration by the Intermediate Body (Auxiliary Institution).