Innovative collaborations with Singapore in quantum or synthetic biology

Are you active in quantum or synthetic biology and want to accelerate your development through innovative collaborations with actors in Singapore? Denna? effort is a two-stage internationalization accelerator - with aim of creating innovative collaborations between actors in Sweden and Singapore with a focus on quantum or synthetic biology.

With this the offer we want:

• strengthen Sweden's position by accelerating the development of strategically important technologies and their applications, in this case in quantum and synthetic biology.
• promote partnerships, collaboration and knowledge exchange with actors in Singapore.

With this effort we want to help scale up applicants' opportunities to create concrete research and innovation collaborations between Sweden and Singapore. The projects that are funded will, after a shorter planning phase, stay in Singapore for 2–3 weeks during Q1 2025.

The initiative is divided into two stages. In stage 1, this call for proposals, Vinnova finances project that create the conditions for collaboration with actors based in Singapore. Project that have been granted support in the first stage can then choose to apply support in stage 2 for research and innovation projects where bilateral collaboration is in focus. The call for proposals for stage 2 opens in 2025.

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 Singapore in Quantum or Synthetic Biology is to give Sweden a technological leap and Swedish organizations a competitive advantage through access to innovation and collaboration opportunities with one of the world's most innovative and dynamic ecosystems. Singapore is a leading country in research and development in emerging technologies, as well as a strategically located hub in Southeast Asia for innovation and entrepreneurship. The country possesses a unique mix of global technology companies, startups and leading research institutions - and thus plays a central role in global development.

Sweden is one of the world's most innovative countries. So is Singapore. Both countries are relatively small in terms of area and population, have limited domestic markets and are heavily dependent on research and development and global talent. Innovative countries can achieve a lot on their own, but working together can create even more value. For Sweden to achieve its overall objective around competitiveness, resilience and sustainability, strong international partners are required.

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

In this offer the focus is on the areas of quantum technology and synthetic biology.

Quantum technology

Quantum technology here refers to: computers, simulations, encryption, communication, detection, metrology.

Applications are expected to be within, for example:

• Increased and accelerated utilization in terms of usability, dissemination, accessibility and security.
• New applications for quantum technology.
• Reduced resource requirements, regarding energy and power consumption as well as production and operating costs.

Synthetic biology

Synthetic biology is an emerging field 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 entirely new living organisms and to modify existing creatures, plants or other biological materials so that they acquire new or improved properties. Examples of applications include food, energy and medicine.

Applications are expected to be within, for example:

• Gene synthesis
• Gene sequencing
• Gene editing
• Designed biological platforms, applications
• Scale-up methods, from lab, biofoundry to manufacturing

Two-step Offer

Erbjudandet Innovativa collaborations with Singapore in quantum or synthetic biology are a two-step effort. The first step aims to provide the conditions for creating collaborations with actors in Singapore. In step 2, you can receive support for the R&D project that the collaboration during step 1 results in. Funding for step 1 does not guarantee that you will be granted support for step 2.

Step 1

Step 1 aims to promote partnerships between Sweden and Singapore in quantum or synthetic biology.

Stage 1 is a feasibility study focusing on personnel costs and travel. We fund project that are approximately 3–5 months long, starting in the fall of 2024. Stage 1 includes:

• Preparation of the funded the actors for their stay in Singapore
• Stay in Singapore for 2-3 weeks where you make contacts
• Deepened collaborations and planning for stage 2.

The objective of Step 1 is to identify and establish relevant partnerships with actors in Singapore .Work on an upcoming proposal for an R&D project in Step 2 is not an eligible cost and cannot be included in Step 1.

Feasibility study is defined as:

Evaluation and analysis of the potential of a project aimed at supporting the decision-making process by objectively and rationally revealing the project's strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and risks, as well as identifying the resources required to implement it, and finally the prospects for the project's success. This refers to studies for project involving basic research, industrial research or experimental development.

Vinnova does not finance routine business development, customer acquisition, marketing or other ordinary business-related activities.

Step 2

Step 1 is followed by a possible second step. project that have been granted funding in step 1 are invited to apply for step 2, which must be a research or development project where bilateral cooperation is in focus. Funds will be available for activities carried out in both Sweden and Singapore. The project coordinator for step 2 must have an establishment in Sweden and a Swedish business registration number. Proposal for step 2 are only open to project that have been granted support in this call for proposals, Innovative collaborations with Singapore in quantum or synthetic biology - step 1.

The projects in stage 2 should represent new collaborations with a high level of innovation and good development potential. If there is a previous collaboration, the project for which funding is sought should constitute a significant further development of the collaboration.

I FoU-projektet, which is carried out in stage 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 capabilities required to realize the potential. These criteria will be presented in more detail in the call for proposal for stage 2.

Funding in stage 2 is offered for smaller R&D project in quantum or synthetic biology where bilateral collaboration is in focus. Each project can apply for a maximum of 1 million SEK in funding in stage 2 and the preliminary budget for stage 2 is a total of 4 million.

The call for proposals for stage 2 will open in 2025.

Focus on climate and gender equality in all our initiatives

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 will 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. This aspect is assessed under the actor criterion, see section 7.

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

Our work to contribute to the goals of Agenda 2030

Gender-equal innovation – what it means for those seeking 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 will contribute to making more results freely available to everyone. Therefore, all scientific publishing should be open access.

The offer is aimed at constellations consisting of one or more Swedish actors who intend to strengthen international collaboration with actors in Singapore. Applicant must have the knowledge and strategic ambitions to successfully establish collaboration with a partner in Singapore, and implement an innovation project. We welcome both specialists in quantum or synthetic biology, as well as actors with a defined need in quantum or synthetic biology.

This call for proposals, i.e. step 1, is aimed at universities and university college, private companies, public organisations and civil society organisations in Sweden. The coordinating participant must be based in Sweden. Foreign actors without a registered branch or establishment in Sweden can be included as project partners, but cannot receive funding from Vinnova.

If the project intends to apply for continuation in stage 2 at a later stage, the project must include at least one actor in Sweden and one actor in Singapore. The project coordinator must have an establishment in Sweden.

The purpose of the projects is to strengthen the conditions for building partnerships with actors in Singapore ahead of an upcoming R&D project.

Activities for which funding can be applied for must fall within the definition of a feasibility study:

Evaluation and analysis of the potential of a project aimed at supporting the decision-making process by objectively and rationally revealing the project's strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and risks, as well as identifying the resources required to implement it, and finally the prospects for the project's success. This refers to studies for project involving basic research, industrial research or experimental development.

Activities within step 1 are therefore preparations for the stay in Singapore, a 2–3 week programme on site and follow-up work in Sweden after the stay.

Preparations

The stay in Singapore is planned independently but also in dialogue with Vinnova. During this time, you will:

• Analyze and understand the system and market in Singapore
• Formulating goals with the Singapore collaboration
• Describe your company or organization, and develop a pitch
• Identify contacts and book meetings before departure
• Arrange a kick-off meeting

Stay in Singapore (Q1 2025)

For 2–3 weeks, the project is located in Singapore, 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 approved project participate in this together.

As all approved project are 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 Singapore as an innovation ecosystem and to find relevant collaboration partners.

The stay in Singapore is planned for Q1 2015. Exact dates will be set in consultation with funded project.

The program offered on site includes:

• Support from Vinnova and Nordic Innovation House on site
• Kick-off meeting with review and planning of your stay on site
• “Soft landing”, a local office location while you are in Singapore
• Study visit
• Inspirational lectures from entrepreneurs and investors on site
• Help with developing your pitch
• Networking and conducting meetings to seek partnerships
• Participation in relevant conference or networking activity
• Final meeting where we summarize our time in Singapore and exchange experiences before returning home

Post-processing

Independent work with results from the stay. During this time you will:

• Develop project idea together with Singaporean partner
• Please note that work on an upcoming proposal for an R&D project in Step 2 is not an eligible cost and cannot be included in Step 1.

Our funding is subject to state aid rules. The rules govern both the types of costs and the proportion of costs that we can finance. This is determined for each organization individually. We therefore differentiate between how much funding the project can receive, and how much each participant can receive.

How much funding can the project receive?

In this call for proposals project in stage 1 can apply for up to 150,000 SEK for a maximum of 6 months long project.

The preliminary total budget for the offer in stage 1 is 1 million SEK.

How much funding can a participant receive?

How large a proportion of the costs we can finance – that is, the maximum level of support – depends mainly on:

• what 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.

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 minimis support when you submit proposal.

In this the call for proposals we also provide support to organizations that do not engage in economic activities. This typically includes universities and university colleges, research institutes and other organizations that do not offer a service or product in a market. We can fund up to 100 percent of the costs of such organizations. For full definitions, see funding criteria and levels

What costs can we finance?

Our funding can only go towards 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
• Consulting and licensing costs: Consulting services, knowledge and patents purchased or used under license from a third party
• Other direct costs: For example, materials, supplies and travel necessary to carry out the project
• Indirect costs (overhead): Costs that are not incurred as a direct result of but can be related to the project, such as regular premises and cleaning. Indirect costs may constitute a maximum of 30 percent of personnel costs.

For more detailed information about which costs we can finance, see our instructions for eligible costs.

Costs for participation during a stay in Singapore 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 not claim someone else's costs as its own.

For more detailed information about which eligibility requirements, limitations and exceptions apply, see our instructions for eligible costs.

In order for us to consider 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 process 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 corporate registration number. Actors without a branch or establishment 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 begun before proposal is submitted.
• Proposal must follow all instructions and contain all attachments 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.

In addition to the above formal eligibility requirements for assessing proposal we can only grant project where all of these eligibility requirements are met:

• Funding is not granted to organizations that are insolvent or undergoing liquidation or corporate restructuring, or that have unpaid debts or payment notices with the Swedish Enforcement Authority.
• If the organization is a limited liability company, half or more of the share capital may not be used up.
• We take credit checks on all applicant who are not public actors, and funding is not granted to organizations with the lowest credit rating of C.
• An organization applying for funding for personnel costs must be registered as an employer with the Swedish Tax Agency by the time the grant decision is made.

What do we assess?

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

Potential

• How well the project contributes to knowledge development and innovation in quantum or synthetic biology.
• 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 actor and potential partners in Singapore.
• The project's potential to build long-term sustainable innovation collaborations with actors in Singapore.
• How well the project is assessed to contribute to increased gender equality.
• How well the project is assessed to contribute positively to the global goals of Agenda 2030, with particular focus on climate and gender equality.

Actors

• The project constellation's competence and ability to create long-term relationships with Singaporean actors.
• The project constellation's competence and ability to contribute to strengthening Swedish competitiveness in quantum or synthetic biology.
• How well the competencies required for the project to be successful are described.
• How well the project team is composed in terms of 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 are the project's activities appropriate for creating long-term and in-depth collaborations with actors in Singapore.
• To what extent are the project's activities appropriate for creating the conditions for the development of the intended innovation within quantum or synthetic biology.
• How well aspects related to gender equality have been integrated into the project plan.

How do we assess?

The assessment is based on proposal submitted via Vinnova's e-services and is assessed in a competitive manner. Applications received are first reviewed with regard to the formal requirements.

Applications that meet the formal requirements are evaluated against the assessment criteria in section 7 by specially appointed external experts in internationalisation and quantum or synthetic biology.

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.

Once we have assessed all applications, we will send you a decision either granting or rejecting your proposal. In the decision, we state how much funding each party in the project will be granted. Our decision cannot be appealed.

What happens if you are granted funding?

If we grant your proposal, you must follow our general terms and conditions for funding. The terms include, among other things:

• That you will sign a special document in which you commit to carrying out the project.
• That you report your costs and results to us regularly during the project.
• That you, if you are multiple 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 Singapore for two to three weeks during Q1 2025. The stay is a central activity and part of the call's aim. The date and form of the stay will be set in consultation with the granted project.

Could you have to pay back funding?

If you do not follow our term, you may be required to repay the amount. This also applies if you have been granted funding incorrectly or for an amount that is too high.

Once your proposal has been registered, we will 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.

Once the call for proposals is closed, you cannot change anything in proposal. You can only make additions if we ask you to.

Who can read your proposal?

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

We keep confidential information that we believe could cause financial damage if disclosed, such as information about the business, inventions or research results.

How we handle public documents and confidentiality