Emerging technology solutions within quantum technology and synthetic biology 2024

An offer in the program Technology areas within Emerging innovations

The purpose of this venture is to finance innovation projects at an early technological stage, where other investors in Sweden have not yet invested. These project must objective to reach proof-of-concept (POC). This in an initial step on the way to innovative emerging technology solutions.

Within this call for proposals we refer to technical themes only in quantum technology and synthetic biology.

By emerging technology solutions, we mean here early technology with potential for functional solutions made possible by ground-breaking technology. Technology solutions that require intensive research and development, with large time and capital requirements, to go from idea to market application.

Within this call for proposals we refer to the concept of "early technology", project that has a concept formulated in proposal (TRL2) and the applied project has as its objective to reach a proof of concept for a technology solution (TRL3, proof of concept). Vinnova uses the same definition of technical maturity level or TRL (Technology Readiness Level)) as the EU uses.

• TRL 1 – basic principles observed.
• TRL 2 – technology concept formulated.
• TRL 3 – experimental proof of concept.
• TRL 4 – technology validated in lab.
• TRL 5 – technology validated in relevant environment (industrially relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies).
• TRL 6 – technology demonstrated in relevant environment (industrially relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies).
• TRL 7 – system prototype demonstration in operational environment.
• TRL 8 – system complete and qualified
• TRL 9 – actual system proven in operational environment (competitive manufacturing in the case of key enabling technologies; or in space.

Particularly interesting are emerging technology solutions that can enable new types of systems within several different industries and sectors.

The following dates apply to the offer

Please note that the dates are preliminary.

Opening date: 14 December 2023

Last application date: 5 March 2024 at 14:00

Latest decision date: 11 June 2024

Project start at the earliest: 18 June 2024

Project start at the latest: 2 July 2024

This the call for proposals aims to stimulate emerging technology solutions that will contribute to increased future national resilience regarding emerging technology solutions. This both in terms of own national ability to produce technology as well as being able to build resilient systems made possible by technology. The effort can also contribute to strengthening Sweden regarding competence supply, branding, entrepreneurship and industrial renewal.

With this effort, we aim to support that by 2034 Sweden will have industrialized new technology solutions in leading systems and greater national ability to deliver benefits from technology research.

By emerging technology solutions, we mean here early technology with potential for functional solutions that are made possible through research-intensive technology.

In this context, we mean cutting-edge technology that requires intensive research and development, with large time and capital requirements, to go from idea to market application.

Within this call for proposals we refer to technical themes only in quantum technology and synthetic biology. This is motivated by Vinnova's own external monitoring and mapping, existing Swedish investments, combined with external priorities.

This effort addresses themes in quantum engineering and synthetic biology. See below for underlying themes.

Links for further reading:

Vinnova's contribution to FoI proposal 2024-2028
The prerequisites for deeptech in Sweden
A Swedish quantum agenda
Putting Sweden at the forefront of quantum technology
The UK's International Technology Strategy - GOV.UK
Commission Recommendation of 03 October 2023 on critical technology areas for the EU's economic security for further risk assessment with Member States
Biden Administration Chooses 31 Tech Hubs Across US to Spur Investment - Bloomberg
Executive Order on Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy - The White House

Vinnova intends to prioritize applications:

• where at the time of proposal, no funding from private funders has yet been received to the parties of the application, for activities of higher technical or business maturity than basic research.
• which are not based on, and which have no connection to, project previously financed by Vinnova.
• which can describe that at the end of the project, if granted, the technical maturity corresponds to a concept for the technology having been demonstrated with a first proof-of-concept (POC, TRL3).

The call for proposals refers to applications:

• where, in the proposal, the degree of technical maturity corresponds to the fact that a concept for the technology has been formulated (TRL2).
• which can describe project which, at the end of the project, has mainly resulted in the technical risk being reduced, as well as the attractiveness thereby increasing, for private financiers for subsequent funding for further commercialisation.
• which must also be able to justify hypotheses about the technology's possibilities regarding new future system solutions. This within one or preferably several sectors such as; health, public sector, wealth, housing and real estate, industry, business and commerce, small and medium enterprises, trade, travel, skills and talent, digital experiences and mobility.

Quantum technology refers here to themes; Computers, Simulations, Encryption, Communications, Detection, Metrology.

This particular regard:

• increased and accelerated exploitation regarding usability, distribution, accessibility and security.
• new uses for quantum technology.
• reduced resource requirements, regarding energy and power consumption as well as regarding production and operating costs.

Synthetic biology is an emerging area of research and innovation in the bioeconomy that draws on advanced 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 completely new living organisms and to modify already existing creatures, plants or other biological material so that they acquire new or improved properties. Examples of areas of use can be found in food, energy and medicine.

Link for more reading:
Synthetic biology or synbio is a multi-purpose technology that is also called Engineering Biology or new genomic techniques (NGTs) internationally

Applications are expected to be within, for example:

• DNA synthesis
• DNA sequencing
• Gene editing
• Scale-up methods, from lab to manufacturing.

Proposal must be able to credibly and clearly describe research-intensive technology:

• which is unique and innovative versus state-of-the-art.
• with groundbreaking potential for manifold improvement versus state-of-the-art.
• with credibility to achieve national resilience; ownership, development, production, use and exploitation.

Vinnova is tasked with promoting sustainable growth and community development. Through 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.

Whitin Agenda 2030, Vinnova has particularly singled out 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 and assesses is whether both women and men share in the grant in an equal way, participate in and have influence over the project. Describe equal team under the assessment criterion regarding actors.

Another aspect involves analyzing and deciding whether there are gender or gender aspects that are relevant in connection with 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 under the assessment criterion regarding potential for increased gender equality.

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 who seek funding from us

This offer targets organizations with researchers or technology entrepreneurs working with research-intensive technologies, such as universities with research, research institutes or research-intensive startup companies.

Activities for which funding can be applied for

In this initiative, we finance such activities in research and industrial research that are needed to develop a proof-of-concept for the technology, as well as activities to actively participate in foresight work with Vinnova.

Eligible costs

Our funding takes place through grants. Grants for organizations that carry out economic activities is covered by rules on state support. The rules govern, among other things, which types of costs and what proportion of these costs may be covered by funding.

Eligible costs include costs for such activities within basic research and industrial research that are needed for the project's work to produce proof-of-concept, as well as activities for participating in workshops organized by Vinnova. For a detailed description of eligible costs, see point 4 of Vinnova's instructions for eligible costs.

Read more about state support on our website
See also our general terms and conditions for funding and Instructions for eligible costs

In this call for proposals activities intended to build financial value for participating project parties may not be reported as eligible costs.

Excluded from eligible costs in this call for proposals are costs for, for example, patent strategies or customer-oriented work. Such activities may not be included in cost reporting to Vinnova, neither as co-financed costs nor as costs covered by Vinnova's funding.

In the offer "Emerging Technology Solutions in Quantum Technology and Synthetic Biology 2024", Vinnova finances up to one million kronor per project part with up to 100 percent support level.

Support provided:

• De minimis aid may be granted in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) No 1407/2013 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid.
• according to support for start-up companies is submitted in accordance with § 7 Regulation 2015:208 on state support for research and development and innovation with Chapter I and Article 22 of the Commission's EU Regulation No. 651/2014.
• in accordance with § 9 Regulation 2015:208 on state support for research and development and innovation Article 25 of the Commission's EU Regulation No. 651/2014 (GBER).
• as "Non-state aid".

Conditions for us to assess proposal

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

• The project coordinator for proposal must be the legal entity at whose place of business the project in question will mainly be carried out.
• All project parties must be legal entities.
• All project parties applying for funding must be Swedish organisations.
• The project applies for a maximum of SEK 1,000,000 per participant.
• The project's requested start date is 18 June 2024 at the earliest.
• The project's requested start date is 2 July 2024 at the latest.
• The project's requested end date is 4 March 2025 at the latest.
• Proposal must be designed in accordance with the guidelines described in section 9, i.e. with attached documents according to Vinnova's templates.

Swedish organizations also mean foreign organizations that have a branch or place of business in Sweden. The costs in the project must be attributable to the branch's or establishment's activities. An organization that is not Swedish can, however, be participant that does not receive funding.

What do we assess?

Decisions about funding are made on the basis of an overall assessment of potential, actors and feasibility based on the following criteria.

Potential

Applications with credibility and potential in described early, initial hypotheses of the following:

Thematic fit – How well the application's innovation themes are in line with the guidelines and objective described in section 2. This regards that:

• the technology theme is in quantum technology or synthetic biology.
• that the level of technical readiness at the time of application corresponds to the formulation of a concept that the technology has been formulated (TRL2).
• technical maturity at the end of the project is expected to correspond to a concept for the technology having been demonstrated with a first proof-of-concept for a technical solution (POC, TRL3).
• at the time of proposal, no funding from private funders has yet been received to the parties of the application, for activities of higher technical or business maturity than basic research.

Unique and innovative versus state-of-the-art – That the proposed technology solution is innovative.

Technical superiority – Why and how the proposed technical solution should be able to be functionally superior to other solutions from a future customer perspective.

National Resilience – How credible proposal describes a hypothesis for future national ability to control solutions with the application's technology. As well as how the technology can be provided with national resilience against disruption and shocks in, for example, geopolitics and value chains.

Technology for systems – How credible and clear proposal describes a hypothesis for how the intended technology solution can enable a future generation of systems within industry or society with improved national resilience.

Paradigm Shift – Why and how the proposed project could be a paradigm shift with this technology, and if there is potential for applications across multiple industries

Gender equality – The project's potential to contribute to increased gender equality. Please note that assessment is based on the applicant's answer to the mandatory question under " Project tasks".
Read more about equal funding of innovations

Agenda2030 – The project's potential to contribute positively to the global goals in Agenda 2030, as well as minimize the negative effects.
Read more about Vinnova's work with Agenda 2030

Actors

Team's ability to deliver – How project participants possess documented and demonstrated competencies in technology, entrepreneurship and other required knowledge areas, as well as future business and application areas. For grant-receiving project parties where 100 percent aid intensity is not justified by state aid rules: financial ability of each such participant to co-finance their respective costs.

Project manager's competence – The intended project manager's ability to lead technology projects towards proof-of-concept goals and plan for follow-on funding. As well as being able to lead multidisciplinary competencies such as technology, entrepreneurship, market and business after the end of the project in future further development towards business.

Equal team – How well the team of key people is composed: Gender distribution and distribution of power and influence between women and men. Any imbalances need to be explained credibly and specifically.

Feasibility

Expressed interest in foresight-oriented working methods – Readiness and own expressed desire, curiosity and interest in participating in Vinnova's workshops. As well as being coached at these workshops to work with foresight ten years ahead and backcasting back to the present, with ground-breaking technology at the center of a systems perspective. In addition, for systems perspective and use, readiness to invite actors who are not researchers or technical experts, further willing and interested in dialogue with coaches.

Clear and credible project plan with budget – Regarding described method, plan and work package. The credibility and suitability of the project plan for the implementation of the project within the established time, within the budget and with expected results. Project methodology, control, organization and involvement of project parties and other relevant actors, including coaches, investors, industry partners and users. A project plan that shows all parties' activities, commitment, participation and mutual communication.

Utilization of the project results – A timed hypothesis how the project results will be used in subsequent commercialization. That is, a hypothesis about how and which or which categories of actors will commercialize the project results and which categories are customers and users.

Risk Management – Project Risk = Probability x Consequence, for both project implementation and prior and subsequent commercial exploitation.

Sustainability – How well relevant sustainability perspectives have been integrated into the project plan; socially, economically and environmentally. Relevant sustainability perspectives refer to Agenda 2030 with a particular focus on climate and gender equality.

How do we evaluate?

Applications are rejected that do not meet all formal eligibility requirements.

The applications that meet all formal eligibility requirements are reviewed by Vinnova regarding thematic fit regarding how well the application's innovation themes are in line with the guidelines and objective described in section 2.

Applications are rejected that Vinnova deems not to be within the thematic fit of the call.

Applications that meet all formal eligibility requirements, and that Vinnova deems to be within the thematic fit of the call, are assessed in competition between the applications. This assessment is made by a specially appointed assessment group consisting of technical and entrepreneurial experts. These evaluators are selected and appointed by Vinnova.

Based on an overall recommendation from the evaluators, Vinnova makes the formal decision to reject or grant funding.

Vinnova notifies decisions to all applicant.

To apply for funding, you fill in a web-based form in Vinnova's e-service for applications, which can be accessed via www.vinnova.se.

There you also upload the following attachments:

• Project description. Here English is recommended, as some evaluators may be international.
• CV in English is recommended as some evaluators may be international.
• Certificates of minor support are attached for each applicant in proposal that is an SME, that is, a small or medium-sized enterprise.
• The model declaration is attached for each applicant in proposal who is an SME, that is, a small or medium-sized enterprise.

Only these attachments will be considered when you apply. Attachments must be uploaded in PDF format. You must upload the project description and CV according to Vinnova's templates.

We recommend that you use the templates in English and that the proposal is written in English. This is because evaluators can be primarily English-speaking. If you choose Swedish templates and the Swedish language, Vinnova may use machine translation to translate the Swedish into English for assessment.

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

Please mark the proposal as done well in advance before the call for proposals closes.

When the call for proposals has closed and proposals has been registered with Vinnova, a confirmation will be sent out by e-mail to you who are responsible for the user account, project manager and company signatory or head of department. It may take a few hours before you receive the email.

If you have not received a confirmation by e-mail within 24 hours after the call for proposals has closed, please contact us.

When the application period has expired, completion of the proposal can only take place upon request from us.