Groundbreaking and scalable technology solutions in 2024

With the call for proposals we want to support Swedish companies that alone or in collaboration develop innovative solutions with very high, preferably disruptive, potential within the following technical focus areas:

• Artificial intelligence
• Immersive technology
• Quantum technology
• Synthetic biology

We welcome project applications in all areas of need and application.

The technical maturity of the solutions in the applied projects must start at a minimum of level 3 on the TRL scale (Technology Readiness Level)) and must not have developed further than TRL 7 at their end. We thus give funding to the development of prototypes, demonstrators and early versions. Vinnova uses the same definition of technical maturity level or TRL as the EU.
Read more about the scale here

The call for proposals is aimed at single applicant companies or at consortia of participants where at least one company must be included. Universities, university colleges, research institutes and other relevant organisations can participate.

Since the competition between the applicant projects is expected to be very fierce, we would like to emphasize that the call for proposals is turning to project with solutions that can clearly demonstrate a very high potential.

The call for proposals is an effort from Vinnova's area Digital transformation. Applicant to this call for proposals cannot simultaneously apply to Vinnova's call for proposals Emerging technology solutions that address project in earlier stages of development.

Funding: Project can apply for a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 2 million SEK, our support can constitute a maximum of 70 percent of the project's total eligible costs. Companies can apply for a maximum of 60 percent aid intensity depending on its size.

The preliminary budget for the call for proposals is 25 million SEK.

We are facing several major technological shifts that will radically change how we live, work and interact with each other. The opportunities with these technological shifts for Swedish growth, renewal of our business sector and for solutions to the important societal challenges of our time are very great.

The aim of this call is therefore to strengthen Swedish development of new products and services with very high, preferably disruptive, potential based on the opportunities of these technological shifts. With the call for proposals we want to support technology solutions reaching a higher level of technical and business maturity in early stages where other funding is difficult to achieve.

The solutions will be based on innovation in the following technical focus areas, which are described in more detail later in the call text:

• Artificial intelligence
• Immersive technology
• Quantum technology
• Synthetic biology

Types of project that can search

The technical maturity of the solutions in the applied projects must start at a minimum of level 3 on the TRL scale and must not have developed further than TRL 7 at the end of the project. We therefore give funding to project which have an early proof of concept and which lead to the development of prototypes, demonstrators and early versions, as well as to investigate market and production conditions prior to and during the development work.

Since funding is granted to a maximum of 2 million SEK and the project duration is 12 months, we do not target very time- and capital-intensive project, as our funding would not contribute to clear progress. The call for proposals is also not aimed at incremental improvement and development of already existing products or systems, the projects should develop their own scalable potential.

The call for proposals is not limited to specific areas of need and application. We therefore welcome applications in areas such as industry, electronics, life science, sustainability, but also digital services, commerce and media and entertainment. However, in order to receive funding, the projects need to have a significant level of technical innovation of their own.

Others calls for proposals

This call for proposals, Groundbreaking and scalable technology solutions, is open at the same time as Vinnova's other call for proposals Emerging technology solutions in quantum technology and synthetic biology 2024. The difference between them is that the latter is aimed at research-intensive technology solutions that are in an earlier development phase where only a basic technology concept has been formulated (TRL 2).

In this the call for proposals instead, the projects are required to be at a higher level of maturity where at least there is already an early proof-of-concept for the project's groundbreaking potential (TRL 3), which in Emerging Technology Solutions is instead the very goal. In addition, the level of support is significantly lower in this the call for proposals, Groundbreaking and scalable technology solutions.

Technical focus areas

The call for proposals is aimed at companies that want to develop high-quality technology solutions in the following technology areas. We are addressing both project that can capitalize on the technology's great application potential in itself or on the strong demand for enabling technology in their own technology area.

Artificial intelligence

By the field of AI we mean technology and services that enable computers and systems to simulate human intelligence, learn, adapt and make decisions on their own. Applicant project can develop completely new solutions in the field but can also partly build on externally developed resources such as the leading generative AI models.

All project that fit this theme need to have AI as a central building block in their solution and at the same time have their own strong level of technical innovation.

Immersive technology

Immersive technology, also known as extended reality, includes technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality. Immersive technology creates an immersive experience by, for example, combining digital and physical worlds, allowing the user to interact with and experience a simulated environment.

Project for all types of hardware and software solutions that enable new and better immersive technology with very high potential, including digital platforms and services, can search.

Quantum technology

Quantum technology refers here to the following themes:

• Quantum computers, Quantum calculations (Quantum Computing)
• Quantum simulation (sometimes included in Quantum Computing)
• Quantum communication (incl. encryption)
• Quantum sensors (incl. detection and metrology)

Quantum technology has potential to benefit society and almost every industry. Some of the most promising application areas are health and life sciences, energy, finance, cybersecurity, and energy efficiency. These industries can benefit from quantum technology thanks to the exponential increase in computing power and secure communication capabilities. In healthcare and life sciences, quantum technology can play a transformative role in advancing precision health and precision medicine. Applications such as quantum microscopy, quantum spectroscopy, and quantum computing can improve disease prediction, prevention, diagnostics, and treatment.

Here we welcome applications that address applications with very high potential within increased and accelerated utilization, new or better methods, solutions and components.

Synthetic biology

Synthetic biology is an emerging field of research and innovation in the bioeconomy that draws on research in biology, chemistry, computer science and engineering to design and build complex biological systems with functions that do not exist in nature. The technology makes it possible to construct entirely new living organisms and to modify already existing creatures, plants or other biological material so that they acquire new or improved properties.

Here we welcome applications that address applications with very high potential in the field.

Two central sustainability perspectives

In addition to the above, Vinnova is tasked with promoting sustainable growth and social development. Genom Agenda 2030, the world's countries have agreed on a global agreement and understanding of what characterizes sustainable development. Through our efforts, we contribute to the global commitment to achieving the goals.

Inom Agenda 2030, Vinnova has specifically identified climate and gender equality as two central sustainability perspectives that our funded initiatives should contribute positively to. Project funded by Vinnova are therefore expected to take special account of climate and gender equality aspects.

One aspect that Vinnova follows up and assesses is whether both women and men equally benefit from the grant, participate in and have influence over the project. See section 7 under the actor criterion.

Another aspect is to analyze and decide whether there are sex or gender aspects that are relevant in relation to the project's problem area, solutions and utilization. This question is mandatory to answer for all applicant and can be found under the heading "Project tasks” in Vinnova's e-service. In this call for proposals the question forms the basis for assessment.

Results from research and innovation that is made freely available provides increased opportunities for more people to contribute to solutions to societal challenges. The call for proposals will contribute to more results being made freely available to everyone and scientific publishing will be done with open access.

Read more about our work to contribute to the goals of Agenda 2030
Read more about what our work for equal innovation means for those of you looking for funding from us

The call for proposals is aimed at single applicant companies or at consortia of participants where at least one company must be included. Universities, university colleges, research institutes and other relevant organisations can participate.

Small, medium-sized and even large companies can apply. This also applies to newly started companies and startups. Read more about how much aid intensity different types of companies can apply for in the section “How much funding do we give?” below. The projects can include foreign partners. However, Vinnova only grantsfunding to Swedish organisations.

Participant who applies funding must be a Swedish legal entity. In this respect, a foreign organisation that has a branch or establishment in Sweden is considered a Swedish legal entity. The costs in the project must be attributable to the branch or establishment's activities.

Activities that can be searched funding for

It is possible to apply funding for activities that are part of research and innovation projects with a focus that meets the aim of the call according to section 2.

Examples of activities that are eligible for support:

• Investigation of technical and design conditions.
• Development of prototypes or demonstration versions of products or services. This may also include pilot work, testing and validation.
• Research and development of production methods.
• Planning and conducting studies or tests to verify an innovation.
• Investigation of market conditions, such as identifying customers, customer needs, possible partners and competitors.

We do not fund routine or recurring changes to existing products, services, manufacturing methods or processes. Nor do we fund training, courses, marketing, sales, ongoing operations, quality assurance, certification, investment in equipment and tools, and intellectual property strategies and protection.

Eligible costs

Our funding is done through funding. Funding to organisations that conduct economic activities are covered by rules about state aid. The rules govern, among other things, what types of costs and how large a proportion of them may be covered through funding.

You can find information about eligible costs in the document "Instructions to Vinnova's term on eligible costs 2023". Section 2 describes the general conditions for a cost to be eligible for support, and section 4 provides a detailed description of each type of cost. You can find the document under the heading Eligible costs on the Vinnova's general terms and conditions website for funding.

Vinnova's funding can amount to between 1 and 2 million SEK per project. It can amount to a maximum of 70 percent of the project's total eligible costs.

Funding to parties that carry out economic activities is granted according to 9§ of Regulation 2015:208 on state aid to research and development and innovation. This means support to research and development projects. This is described in Article 25 of the EU Commission's Block Exemption Regulation number 651/2014, known as GBER.

Both Regulation 2015:208 and GBER are described in more detail on the website about State aid to economic activities. There are also links to the regulations themselves.

Funding to companies will preferably be granted for Industrial research, but in some cases also for Experimental development.

In this call for proposals the following term applies for maximum aid intensity to single beneficiary:

• Small companies are companies with 1-49 employees and a turnover of a maximum of 10 million euros. They can have a maximum of 60 percent of their costs covered by funding in this call for proposals.
• Medium-sized enterprises are companies with 50-249 employees and a maximum turnover of EUR 50 million. Their funding can amount to a maximum of 50 percent of the costs in this call for proposals.
• Large companies have more than 250 employees and a turnover of more than EUR 50 million. For them, a maximum of 40 percent applies in funding in this call for proposals.

Please note that the call's support levels do not utilize GBER's maximum support levels, which may be higher in some special cases.

Se Kapitel 1, Article 2 of the GBER for definitions:

• Item 85 for Industrial research.
• Item 86 for Experimental Development.

All details about support levels for different purposes and types of organization can be found in a table in the document “Support levels, definitions, etc. for funding according to Vinnova” on the website State aid to economic activities. There you will also find the GBER regulation.

Non- state aid granted to parties that do not engage in economic activities, such as universities and university colleges, research institutes and public activities. Their maximum aid intensity is 100 percent. Funding is then granted with support of Ordinance 2009:1101 with instructions for the Agency for innovation system.

The total grant budget is provisionally 25 million SEK for this call for proposals.

We will only assess applications that meet the following formal eligibility requirements:

• At least one company must be participant
• All participants must be legal entities.
• Proposal should be written in Swedish or English.
• The project described in proposal must not have begun before proposal is submitted.
• The same project must not have simultaneously applied to Vinnova's call for proposals Emerging Technology Solutions.
• Searched funding is between 1 and 2 million SEK.
• Proposal must follow all instructions and contain all attachments according to section 9.

What do we assess?

Proposal shall be in line with the call's aim as described in section 2 and assessed according to the criteria below. In addition to an individual assessment of each project, Vinnova also strives to achieve a certain spread of granted project when it comes to technology and application areas and different types of solutions.

Potential (weight 40 percent)

• The solution's future commercial potential and/or potential for societal benefit.
• The project's level of technical innovation and thus its ability to develop Swedish expertise in an important area of innovation.
• The project's potential aims to contribute to increased gender equality and the global goals of Agenda 2030, as well as minimizing the negative impacts.

Actors (weight 30 percent)

• The project partners' competence, credibility and ability to implement the project.
• The ability of the project partners to utilize and/or commercialize the project results.
• How well the team's key people are composed in terms of gender distribution, as well as the distribution of power and influence between women and men.

Feasibility (weight 30 percent)

• The effectiveness and realism of the project plan in relation to set objectives, methods, activities and budget.
• How well risks and critical success factors are described and managed in the project's implementation.
• How credible the plan is in terms of taking the project results forward towards successful implementation after the project ends.

How do we assess?

The applications will be assessed in competition and the assessment is based on the electronic proposal submitted via Vinnova's e-service.

Each proposal that contains sufficient information to be assessed and that meets all formal eligibility requirements (see section 6, Formal eligibility requirements) and the thematic fit of the call (see section 2, Technical focus areas) is evaluated by at least three appointed evaluator.

Those project who are deemed to best meet the criteria will proceed to the selection process and may be called for an interview. Interviews are planned to take place digitally between 15 and 19 April 2024. We will contact those project who are to be interviewed between approximately 11 and 15 April. Please note that we are unable to update you on the status of your application before a final decision has been made.

Schematically, the decision-making process looks as follows:

1. Proposal is submitted via Vinnova's e-service.
2. Applications that meet the formal requirements and the thematic fit of the call will be assessed based on the criteria stated above by Vinnova's appointed evaluator.
3. Selected project are interviewed.
4. The overall assessment results in a recommendation to funding.
5. Vinnova is conducting an analysis of the portfolio of recommended project.
6. Vinnova makes decisions on which project will be funded and decisions are communicated to applicant.

To apply funding, you fill out a web-based form in Vinnova's e-service for applications, which you can find via the button "Apply here" below.

You also upload the following attachments there:

• Project description
  May comprise a maximum of 10 portrait A4 pages with single-column 12-point text. The project description should follow the template found further down on this website.
• CV attachment
  Relevanta CV for the project manager and all key personnel. The appendix is expected to include at least one CV per participant. Varje CV may be a maximum of 1 A4 page with 12 point text. The CV appendix should follow the template found further down this website.

Only requested pages and attachments will be assessed. References to websites will not be taken into account.

Keep in mind that it takes time to make a proposal. You can start filling in the details, save and continue at a later time. When proposal is finished, mark it as done. You can unlock proposal and make changes at any time, right up to the last application date.

Mark proposal ready well before the call for proposals closes.

When the call for proposals is closed and proposal is registered with Vinnova, a confirmation will be sent by email to you who is responsible for the user account, project manager and the signatory or head of department. It may take a few hours before you receive the email.

If you have not received a confirmation email within 24 hours of the call for proposals closing, please contact us.

Once the application period has expired, completion of proposal can only be done upon request from us.