6G - Supervision of degree work

Vinnova wants to support theses that are relevant to the development of 6G. It is the company or research organization where the thesis is carried out that should submit a proposal. With the call for proposals we hope to increase Swedish expertise in the 6G area.

The goal is to finance 100 degree theses by 2026 with an equal distribution between women and men.

It is possible to apply for a maximum of SEK 100,000. The funds from the call for applications must be used for direct costs of completing the degree project, for example supervision. The level of support can be up to 100 percent if applicant provides a certificate of negligible support.

The focus of the degree project must be relevant to the 6G area, for example:

• Technology and network or infrastructure
  - Densification of cells
  - Sub-THz spectrum band
  - Satellite Network (NTN)
  - Spectrum sharing
  - Electronic components and systems
  - Connection and communication
  - Edge & Ubiquitous computing
  - Shared infrastructure
  - AI/ML-based networking and optimization
  - Platform for wireless services
  - Security for networks and services
• Standards, policies and regulations
• Ecosystems and economic models
• Applications and services

The above-mentioned technology areas have been identified as focus areas for the development of 6G.

See 6Abbot Bertsson TaxonomyReport

Other areas that can be justified as being relevant for 6G are also welcome.

Applications can be submitted on an ongoing basis. We will collect and assess applications once a month until August 31, 2026.

With this the call for proposals Vinnova wants to finance 100 degree theses by 2026. We want to see an even distribution between women and men. The call for proposals will provide support for supervision and implementation of degree theses with relevance to 6G, and increase Sweden's expertise in the area. It is the company or research organization where the degree theses are carried out that will apply for funds.

The Government has commissioned the Swedish Research Council and Vinnova to strengthen basic research, applied research and innovation within sixth-generation wireless communication systems (6G). The aim is to strengthen the position of Swedish research and innovation within wireless communication systems, increase the competitiveness of Swedish companies in the area and strengthen the conditions for Swedish research environments to participate in international research collaboration and gain access to international research infrastructure. The investment totals SEK 390 million and the assignment is due for final reporting in March 2027.

See more Research investment will contribute to the development of 6G - Government.se

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. Linked to the development of 6G, it is primarily increased energy efficiency and the lifespan of components that are a priority.

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. In this the call for proposals the question does not form the basis for assessment.

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.

Private companies (public limited companies) with more than three employees and research organizations that do not conduct undergraduate education. Applicant must be the company or research organization where the degree project is carried out.
In this effort, we are not addressing educational actors, such as universities and university colleges.

We approve costs for completing degree projects, primarily supervision and other direct costs.

Vinnova does not finance salary costs for the student carrying out the degree project.

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.

We can finance up to 100 percent of a project party's costs.

Organisations that are eligible to apply

• Research organisationsthat do not provide undergraduate education (not universities and university colleges), and that engage in non-economic activities may apply for non- state aid.
• Limited liability companies with more than three employeesmay apply for support of minor importance, also called de minimis support.

The maximum permitted de minimis support is currently €300,000 per recipient over the last three tax years.

Companies must submit a mandatory certificate of de-minimis support with proposal. The certificate can be found here: 

What costs can we finance?

Eligible costs in this the call for proposals are:

Personnel costs

Salary costs include gross salary paid, employer contributions and other salary-related costs.

Applicant company must be registered as an employer with the Swedish Tax Agency.

Other direct costs

Other direct costs refer to expenses that are necessary to carry out the project and that are not included in any other cost category. These may include costs for materials, consumables, office supplies, supplies, travel, or similar.

To be eligible, the cost must have a clear and direct link to the implementation of the project and arise solely as a result of the project.

Costs may only be included for the part relating to the project period. If the cost concerns an investment or equipment, it must be calculated according to standard depreciation rules. Only the part of the cost corresponding to the use during the project period is eligible for support.

Example:

If a piece of equipment costs SEK 12,000 and has a depreciation period of three years (36 months), and the project period is six months, a maximum of SEK 2,000 can be included as a project cost (6/36 months, corresponding to approximately 16.7 percent).

The project duration is the maximum period that may be used in the calculation. If the equipment is purchased during the course of the project, only the remaining project duration should be used as the basis for the cost calculation.

All other direct costs must be detailed and justified in proposal.

For more detailed information about which costs we can finance, see Instructions for eligible costs

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 separated from the organisation's other costs. An organisation may not claim someone else's costs as its own.

For more detailed information on which eligibility requirements, limitations and exceptions apply, see our guide to 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 process your proposal.

• Applicant must be a private company (public limited company) with more than 3 employees or a research organization that does not conduct undergraduate education.
• Applicant should be the company or research organization where the degree project is carried out.
• The supervisor and the students may only carry out work within the project for one and the same participant. The supervisor may not simultaneously be employed at a university, university college or research institute where any of the students participating in the project are studying, and at the same time run or represent a company where these students are carrying out their project. This applies to avoid conflicts of interest.
• Funding is not granted to organisations that are insolvent or undergoing liquidation or corporate restructuring, or that have unpaid debts or payment notices with the Swedish Enforcement Authority.
• We take credit information on all applicant who are not public actors, and funding is not granted organisations with the lowest credit rating C.
• An organisation applying funding for personnel costs must be registered as an employer with the Swedish Tax Agency by the time the grant decision is made.
• Applicant applying with the support basis of minor importance must attach a certificate under the "other attachments" tab in e-services.

What do we assess?

Potential

• Relevance for future development of 6G.
• 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 in Agenda 2030, and how well it is assessed to minimize the negative effects.

Actors

• To what extent applicant actors have experience and relevant expertise in the area of 6G.
• How well the project team is composed in terms of gender distribution. As well as how well power and influence are distributed evenly between the genders in the project team.

Feasibility

• To what extent applicant has experience, ability and capacity to supervise degree theses.
• How realistic, credible and appropriate the project plan, activities and budget are in relation to the objective.
• How well aspects related to gender equality and climate have been integrated into the project plan.

How do we assess?

Applications are assessed in competition with each other according to the above criteria by external experts and programme manager at Vinnova.
In this call for proposals no interviews are planned, only a written proposal.

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 and conditions include the following:

• That you will sign a special document in which you agree to carry out the project.
• That you report your costs and results to us regularly during the project.
• 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

You also need to follow the special conditions that apply to this the call for proposals:
We may also decide to add supplementary special conditions for individual project. In such cases, they will be stated in the decision.

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.

To apply for funding, you fill out a proposal in our e-service. Proposal contains questions about the project, other participants and budget.

Start proposal well in advance

Keep in mind that it takes time to make a proposal. Filling out templates can take several days, as it is based on the analyses you will do. Therefore, start well in advance. You can start filling in the information and continue at a later time. When proposal is complete, mark it as complete.

You can unlock proposal and make changes at any time, right up until the last application date. If you unlock proposal, you must then mark it as ready for it to be registered when the call for proposals closes.

15/1-26Episode 1 The offer in Brief

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Applications can be submitted on an ongoing basis. We will collect and assess applications once a month until August 31, 2026.

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An extra term added below If these eligibility requirements are not met, our evaluator will not process your proposal:

• The supervisor and the students may only carry out work within the project for one and the same participant. The supervisor may not simultaneously be employed at a university, university college or research institute where any of the students participating in the project are studying, and at the same time run or represent a company where these students are carrying out their project. This applies to avoid conflicts of interest.