Selection and award procedure
Article 9
1. The calls for proposals referred to in Article 7(1) shall be publicised in a way that ensures open competition and appropriate publicity among potential beneficiaries. Any substantial change to the calls shall be publicised in the same way. The calls for proposals referred to in Article 7(1) and (2) shall specify at least the following: (a) objectives; (b) selection and award criteria; (c) arrangements for Union and, if applicable, national financing, including, where applicable, the possibility to apply a higher co-financing rate in accordance with Article 16(5) of Regulation (EU) No 514/2014; (d) arrangements and final date for submission of the proposals; (e) eligibility rules for the expenditure; (f) project duration; and (g) financial and other information to be kept and reported. 2. Before the award decision is taken, the Responsible Authority shall satisfy itself that the beneficiaries in the project have the capacity to meet the selection and award criteria. 3. The Responsible Authority shall define the procedures for the receipt of proposals. It shall subject proposals to a formal, technical and budgetary analysis and qualitative assessment applying the criteria laid down in the call for proposals in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner. The Responsible Authority shall record in writing the reasons for the rejection of the other proposals. 4. The award decision shall indicate at least the name of the beneficiaries, the essential details of the project and its operational objectives, the maximum amount of Union contribution and the maximum rate of co-financing of the total eligible costs. 5. The Responsible Authority shall inform all applicants of its decision in writing. It shall give unsuccessful candidates the reasons for their rejection with reference to the selection and award criteria.