Innovative collaborations with the USA in XR - step 1

Are you active within Extended Reality (XR), want to accelerate your establishment in the USA and find cooperation partners? Innovative collaborations with the USA within XR is an internationalization accelerator in two stages - with aim of creating collaborations between actors in Sweden and the USA with a focus on XR.

With this the offer we want:

• strengthen Sweden's technology position to accelerate the development of technologies and services based on XR.
• promote partnership, collaboration and knowledge exchange with actors in the US.

The initiative wants to contribute to scaling up applicants' opportunities to create concrete research and innovation collaborations between Sweden and the USA. This is based on Vinnova's presence on site and the infrastructure available through Nordic Innovation House, Silcon Valley. The projects that are financed will, after a shorter planning phase, stay in Silicon Valley for 2-3 weeks in December 2024.

The effort is laid out in two stages. In step 1, this call for proposals, Vinnova finances project that create the conditions to collaborate with US-based actors. Project that have been granted support in the first stage can then choose to seek support in stage 2 for project such as research, innovation, test or demonstration projects where bilateral cooperation is the focus. The call for proposals for stage 2 opens in autumn 2024.

Applicant actors can come from universities and university college, private companies, public organizations and civil society organizations.

Project can apply for up to SEK 150,000.

The purpose of Innovative collaborations with the USA within XR is to give Swedish organizations a competitive advantage through access to innovation and collaboration opportunities with one of the world's most innovative and dynamic ecosystems. Silicon Valley is the center for technological innovation and entrepreneurship, for technology giants, startups and leading research institutions - and thus plays a central role in global development.

International collaborations are crucial for Sweden as a small, export-dependent country. The USA is the world's largest economy and also top-3 among the world's most innovative countries, where Silicon Valley is the epicenter of the country's innovative power. And Swedish actors are very interesting partners. Sweden is one of the world's top 3 innovative countries with a very strong innovation system.

This the offer aims to strengthen Sweden's position on the global technology scene. The offer provides the opportunity to further strengthen the important trade and investment relationship between Sweden and the USA and strengthen the conditions for long-term sustainable collaborations.

In this offer the focus is on the Extended Reality (XR) technology area. XR encompasses technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) that bridge the boundaries between the digital and physical worlds. What is meant are concepts that create and explore more natural and immersive experiences using hardware, software, connectivity and perception.

XR technologies enable innovation, societal benefit, export opportunities, skills development and improved quality of life, in a variety of fields, from education and medicine to entertainment and marketing. By utilizing this potential, Sweden can promote growth, competitiveness and welfare on both a national and international level.

Erbjudandet Innovativa's collaborations with the USA within XR are a two-step effort. The first step aims to provide the conditions for creating collaborations with American actors in the USA.

Step 1

Step 1, which aims to promote partnerships between Sweden and the US within XR, is followed by a possible second step. In step 2, you can get support for the innovation project that the collaboration built up within the framework of step 1 renders in. Funding of step 1 does not guarantee that you will be granted support for an innovation project.

In stage 1, project that are approximately 3 months long are financed, starting in autumn 2024. During stage 1:

• prepare the financed the actors for the stay in the USA, as well as
• stay in the USA for 2-3 weeks where you make contacts and
• deepens the collaborations and plans for step 2.

The objective of step 1 is to identify and establish a relevant partnership with a US actor and start proposal for the collaboration in the innovation project within step 2.

step 2

The project granted funding in stage 1 are invited to apply to stage 2, which are research, innovation, test or demonstration projects where bilateral cooperation is the focus. Funds will be available for activities carried out both in Sweden and the USA. The project coordinator for stage 2 must have a place of business in Sweden and a Swedish organization number. Proposal for stage 2 is only open to project that have been granted support in this call for proposals, Innovative collaborations with the USA within XR stage 1.

The projects in stage 2 must represent new collaborations with good development potential. If there is an existing collaboration, the project for which funding is sought must constitute a significant further development of the collaboration.

In the innovation project that is carried out in step 2, great importance is placed on the degree to which the project represents a new collaboration. It will also be important to demonstrate that the new project constellation possesses the competence and ability required to realize the potential. These criteria will be presented in more detail during the call for proposal for stage 2.

Funding in stage 2 is offered for smaller innovation, test or demonstration project within XR where bilateral cooperation is the focus. Funds can be applied for activities both in Sweden and the USA. In stage 2, each project can apply for a maximum of SEK 1 million in funding, and the preliminary budget for stage 2 is a total of SEK 4 million.

The call for proposals for stage 2 opens in autumn 2024.

Focus on climate and gender equality in all our investments

Vinnova is tasked with promoting sustainable growth and community development. Genom Agenda 2030, the countries of the world have agreed on a global agreement and understanding of what characterizes sustainable development. Through our efforts, we contribute to the global commitment to reach the goals.

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

One aspect that Vinnova follows up on and assesses is whether both women and men equally share in the contribution, participate in and have influence over the project. This aspect is assessed under the actor criterion, see section 7.

Another aspect involves analyzing and deciding whether there are gender or gender aspects that are relevant to the project's problem area, solutions and utilization. This question is mandatory for all applicant and can be found under the heading " Project tasks". In this call for proposals the question is the basis for assessment and is assessed under the Potential criterion, see section 7.

Our work to contribute to the goals of Agenda 2030

Equal innovation - what it means for you who seek funding from us

Free access to scientific publications and results

Results from research and innovation that are made freely available increase the opportunity for more people to contribute to solutions to societal challenges. This the call for proposals should contribute to making more results freely available to everyone. Therefore, all scientific publication must be open access.

The offer is aimed at constellations consisting of one or more Swedish actors who intend to strengthen an international collaboration with actors in the USA. Applicant must have the knowledge-based prerequisites and strategic ambitions to successfully establish cooperation with an American partner, as well as implement an innovation project. We welcome both XR specialists and actors with a defined need for XR solutions.

This call for proposals which deals with stage 1, is aimed at universities and university college, private companies, public organizations and civil society organizations in Sweden. The coordinating participant must be based in Sweden. Foreign actors without a registered branch or place of business in Sweden can be included as project partners, but cannot receive funding from Vinnova.

If at a later stage the project intends to apply for continuation in stage 2, the project must include at least one actor in Sweden and one actor in the USA. The project coordinator must have a place of business in Sweden.

The aim of the projects is to strengthen the conditions for building partnerships with actors in the USA for future collaboration.

Activities for which funding can be applied for

Funding is offered for staff costs and travel. Stage 1 includes activities such as preparation for a stay in the USA, a 2-3 week programme in Palo Alto in Silicon Valley and follow-up in Sweden after the stay.

Preparations

About 4 weeks. The stay in Silicon Valley is planned independently but also in dialogue with Vinnova. During this time, you must:

• Analyze and understand the system and market in the United States.
• Formulate objectives with the US cooperation.
• Describe your company or organization, and prepare a pitch.
• Identify contacts and book meetings before departure.
• Arrange a start-up meeting.

Stay in the USA (preliminary December 2024)

For 2–3 weeks, the project is moved to Silicon Valley, where a programme designed together with Vinnova is offered. The program is based on proposal and the dialogue in the preparation phase of the project. All granted project participate in this together.

With all granted project staying there at the same time, there are great opportunities for contacts and collaboration. The purpose of the stay is to deepen the understanding of Silicon Valley as an innovation system and to find relevant partners.

The stay in Silicon Valley is planned for 2-13 December 2024. It is possible to arrive earlier or stay a little longer, so that the stay will be 3 weeks in total.

The program offered on site includes:

• Support from Vinnova and Nordic Innovation House on site.
• Start-up meeting with review and planning of your stay on site at Nordic Innovation House.
• Softlanding, an office space at Nordic Innovation House in Palo Alto is included while you are in Silicon Valley.
• Inspirational lectures from entrepreneurs and investors on site in Silicon Valley.
• Help with developing your pitch.
• Networking and conducting meetings to seek partnerships.
• Participation in a relevant conference or networking activity.
• Final meeting where we summarize the time in Silicon Valley and exchange experiences before the journey home.

Finishing work

About 4 weeks. Independent work with results from the stay. During this time, you must:

• Develop project idea together with American partner.
• Start proposal of innovation project in step 2.

Our funding is covered by rules on government support. The rules govern both what kind of costs and what proportion of the costs we can finance. This is determined for each organization individually. We therefore distinguish between how much funding the project can receive, and how much each participating participant can receive.

How much funding can the project get?

In this call for proposals project in stage 1 can apply for up to SEK 150,000 for a maximum of 3 months project.

Preliminary budget for the offer in step 1 is SEK 1 million.

How much funding can a participant receive?

How much funding each participating participant can receive mainly depends on:

• which activities the party will carry out in the project
• party size and activities

In this the call for proposals we provide support for feasibility studies.

Feasibility studies can be simply described as an evaluation and analysis of:

• strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and risks in an upcoming research and development project.
• what resources are required to implement the project.
• how likely it is that the project will succeed.

What percentage of the costs we can finance - that is, the maximum level of support - depends on the size of the organization and the type of activity.

In this the call for proposals we can also provide support of minor importance, also called de minimis support. We can finance up to 100 percent of a project party's costs. To be granted this support, you need to submit a certificate of de-minimum support when you submit proposal.

In this the call for proposals we also provide support to organizations that do not carry out economic activities. This generally includes universities and university colleges, research institutes and other organizations that do not offer a service or product on a market. We can finance up to 100 percent of such organizations' costs.

For full definitions, see Support bases and support levels for funding

What costs can we finance?

Our funding may only go to certain types of costs. These are called eligible costs. In this the call for proposals these types of costs are eligible:

• Personnel costs: Salaries, social security contributions and other personnel costs.
• Equipment, land and buildings: Instruments, equipment and rent for premises other than regular business premises.
• Consulting and licensing costs: Consulting services, knowledge and patents purchased or used under license from an external actor.
• Other direct costs: For example materials, stock items and travel necessary to carry out the project.
• Indirect costs (overhead): Costs that are not incurred as an immediate consequence of but can be related to the project, for example regular premises and cleaning.
  Indirect costs may constitute a maximum of 30 percent of personnel costs.

For more detailed information on which costs we can finance, see our instruction on eligible costs.

Costs for participation during a stay in Silicon Valley are an eligible cost.

What eligibility requirements apply to costs we finance?

For a cost to be eligible, it must be necessary for the activities of the project. Project costs must also be properly accounted for and reported separately from the organization's other costs. An organization may also not take up someone else's costs as its own.

For more detailed information on which eligibility requirements, limitations and exceptions apply, see our instruction on eligible costs.

In order for us to take a position on and assess your proposal it must meet certain basic requirements - so-called formal eligibility requirements. If these eligibility requirements are not met, our evaluator will not handle your proposal.

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

• All project parties must be legal entities. Please note that sole proprietorships or sole traders are not legal entities.
• All beneficiary must have a Swedish organization number. A player without a branch or place of business in Sweden may participate as participant but cannot receive funding from Vinnova.
• Proposal must be written in English or Swedish.
• The project described in proposal must not have started before proposal is submitted.
• Proposal must follow all instructions and contain all appendices according to section 9.

Applications that do not meet the formal requirements or instructions set out in Section 9 will not be assessed, and will be rejected without further justification.

What do we assess?

The project proposal must be in line with the call's aim. The applications will be assessed based on the main criteria potential, actors and implementation.

Potential

• How well the project contributes to knowledge development and innovation within XR.
• The innovative height and potential impact of the solution.
• In what way and to what extent does the project generate value and innovation collaboration for both the Swedish company and potential partners in the USA?
• The project's potential to build long-term sustainable innovation collaborations with actors in the USA.
• How well the project is judged to contribute to increased gender equality.
• How well the project is judged to contribute positively to the global goals in Agenda 2030, and how well it is judged to minimize the negative effects.

Actors

• The project constellation's competence and ability to create long-term relationships with American actors.
• The project constellation's competence and ability to contribute to strengthening Swedish competitiveness within XR.
• How well the skills required for the project to be successful are described.
• How well composed the project team is regarding gender distribution, including the distribution of power and influence between women and men.

Feasibility

• To what extent the project's schedule and budget are realistic, credible and appropriate.
• To what extent the project's activities are appropriate for creating long-term and in-depth collaborations with actors in the USA.
• To what extent the project's activities are appropriate for creating conditions for the development of the envisaged innovation within XR.
• How well aspects relating to gender equality have been integrated into the project plan.

How do we judge?

The assessment is based on proposal submitted via Vinnova's e-services and assessed in competition. Applications received are first reviewed with regard to the formal requirements. The applications that meet the formal requirements are evaluated against the assessment criteria in section 7 by specially appointed external experts in internationalisation and XR. The overall assessment results in a recommendation, based on which Vinnova makes a decision. Vinnova reserves the right to apply a portfolio perspective in the selection.

When we have assessed all applications, we will send a decision in which we either grant or reject your proposal. In the decision, we state how much funding each party in the project is granted. Our decision cannot be appealed.

What if you are granted funding?

• If we grant your proposal you must follow our general terms and conditions for funding. The terms and conditions include this:
• That you must sign a special document in which you undertake to carry out the project.
• That you must report your costs and results to us regularly during the project.
• That you, if you are several parties, must agree on what applies to the project in a project agreement.
• How the results will be used, and how any scientific publication will take place.

See our general terms and conditions and get help understanding and fulfilling them

For everyone who is granted funding in this the call for proposals the following special conditions also apply

In addition to the general terms and conditions, the following applies:

• At least one person from the project will participate in a stay in Silicon Valley, USA, for two to three weeks in December 2024. The stay is a central activity and part of the call's aim.

Can you have to pay back funding?

If you do not follow our term you may be liable for a refund. This also applies if you have been granted funding incorrectly or with too high an amount.

When your proposal has been registered, we send a confirmation to the person responsible for the user account as well as to the project manager and the signatory.

This may take a few hours after the call for proposals closes. If you have not received a confirmation within 24 hours after the call for proposals closes, please contact us.

When the call for proposals is closed, you cannot change anything in proposal. Then you can only supplement if we ask for it.

Who can read your proposal?

Applications submitted to us become public documents. This means that we must disclose them if they are requested.

However, we keep confidential information that we believe could mean financial damage if disclosed, for example information about the business, inventions or research results.

This is how we handle public documents and confidentiality