Collaborative projects for healthy and resilient communities

The world is affected by challenges related to health, climate and security. It is becoming increasingly important to build societies that both promote health and cope with change and crises. Meeting the challenges requires broad perspectives, new ways of working and developed collaborations between different actors in society.

A resilient society has the ability to prevent, manage and adapt to change, while maintaining important societal functions. Building and maintaining resilience requires well-functioning social systems. In this call for proposals we focus on the following thematic areas:

• Health and life science
• Food system
• Civil engineering
• Emergency preparedness and civil defense

We fund innovation projects where actors from business and the public sector together develop solutions that meet needs and challenges within the areas of the call. The areas are not delimited from each other and the projects can cover one or more areas.

The goal of the call for proposals is to strengthen the competitiveness of the business community and at the same time increase the public sector's ability to develop and introduce innovations.

The projects must be implemented in collaboration between at least one actor from the business sector (company) and at least one actor from the public sector (municipality, municipality- and local government associations, regions or state public authority). actors from academia, research institutes and civil society may also participate in the project.

You can apply for up to 2 million SEK for project. The project duration should be 18–24 months. Project should start no later than November 2, 2026 and end no later than November 2, 2028.

Health and life sciences

The need for innovation in health and life science is increasing. We are living longer, while more people are living with multi-morbidity and chronic diseases. This is putting pressure on healthcare systems. Pandemics, antibiotic resistance and geopolitical changes are increasing the demands for preparedness and resilience.

At the same time, the potential of new technologies, such as cell and gene therapy, AI, digital solutions and health data, is not being fully utilized.

With new working methods, improved care processes and increased collaboration between the public and private sectors, healthcare can become more efficient and strengthen both preventive and personalized care.

Innovation is crucial to meeting increased eligibility requirements and building a more sustainable and resilient system.

Food system

The need for innovation in food systems is driven by increased eligibility requirements concerns about sustainability, competitiveness and resilience. A growing global population, climate change and biodiversity loss are putting pressure on food production. At the same time, geopolitical tensions and disruptions in global value chains are increasing vulnerability.

Meeting these challenges requires a shift towards more sustainable, resource-efficient and circular solutions for production, processing and distribution. The consumption stage is also central, where innovation can contribute to more sustainable and healthy choices.

Collaboration between research, business, the public sector and civil society is crucial to strengthening robust and resilient food systems that can handle future changes.

Civil engineering

Creating attractive, sustainable and resilient living environments requires a transformation in the built environment. This involves developing new ways of working, technical solutions, business models and collaborations, as well as strengthening the innovation capacity between actors at local, regional and national levels.

Community planning is characterized by many systems and actors where goal conflicts need to be managed long-term and sustainably.

Sustainable urban and community planning includes, among other things, resource-efficient and circular material flows, sustainable transport and mobility systems, ecosystem services, and climate adaptation and preparedness.

Social sustainability is central, with a focus on security, participation and accessibility. The development also requires new forms of governance, working methods and procurement, and that opportunities with data, digitalisation and AI are taken advantage of.

Emergency preparedness and civil defense

Preparedness is society's ability to prevent, withstand and manage serious crises and, ultimately, war. It involves planning, resources and structures that enable important societal functions to be maintained even under great stress.

Civil defense is the part of total defense that is intended to protect the population, secure vital activities and strengthen the will to defend in the event of heightened alert and armed attack.

Climate change, technological vulnerabilities and a more uncertain external situation are increasing the demands on society's resilience. To strengthen Sweden's preparedness and civil defense, increased collaboration between business, the public sector and others is needed, with common working methods and solutions.

Vinnova wants to strengthen society's ability to handle complex and interconnected challenges. With this call for proposals we want to contribute to innovative solutions that create healthy and resilient societies.

We see that more collaboration is needed between the public sector and the business community. The public sector often has the needs, while the business community contributes with expertise, technology and business models. Together, the different the actors can develop solutions that are sustainable, innovative and scalable.

In the long term, the aim is to develop innovations that strengthen society and in the short term, the projects will contribute to:

• establish or deepen collaboration between the public sector (municipality, municipality- and municipal associations, regions or state public authority) and business (companies)
• develop solutions to complex societal challenges within the areas of the call
• strengthen the public sector's ability to develop and evaluate innovations
• strengthen the competitiveness of the business community

Equalized funding by innovations

The projects must integrate gender equality both in how the project team is composed and in the implementation of the project. This means that you need to:

• take into account the gender balance within the project team
• assess whether aspects of sex and gender are relevant to the design of the project, and if so, in what way

By integrating different perspectives, more inclusive and relevant solutions are developed. This strengthens both the innovative capacity and the project's results.

The call for proposals is aimed at business, the public sector, civil society and actors from academia and research institutes.

To apply, at least one actor from the business sector (company) and at least one actor from the public sector are required to participate in the project. The public sector refers to actors from municipality, municipality- and local government associations, regions or state public authority.

Academia, research institutes and civil society actors are encouraged to participate where relevant. Academia and research institutes can, for example, contribute scientific knowledge, analyses, evaluations and support in the development and testing of solutions. Civil society organisations such as non-profit organisationsfoundations, associations and social enterprises can, for example, contribute knowledge about the needs of target groups and represent end users in the development, testing and implementation.

Project involving these actors clearly and relevantly can strengthen the usability and dissemination of the solution.

We fund activities for research and innovation projects within one or more of the areas of the call. Read about the areas of the call in section 1.

Examples of activities that are eligible for support:

• Develop new products or technical solutions.
• Develop prototypes or demonstration versions of products and services. This may include pilot work, testing and validation.
• Develop new business models and policies.
• Investigate market conditions, for example, identify customers, customer needs, possible partners and competitors.

We do not finance routine or recurring changes to existing products, services, manufacturing methods or manufacturing processes.

We also do not finance training efforts, courses, marketing, sales, ongoing operations, quality assurance, certification, and intellectual property strategies and protection.

What costs can we finance?

Our funding is subject to rules about state aid. The rules govern what types of costs we can finance. These are called eligible costs.

In this the call for proposals, these types of costs are eligible:

• Salary costs: Gross salary paid, employer contributions and other salary costs.
• Equipment, land and buildings: Costs for instruments, equipment and rent for premises other than regular business premises.
• Consulting and licensing costs: Costs for consulting services, knowledge and patents purchased or licensed from an external party. These costs may not exceed 20 percent of an organization's budget.
• Other direct costs: Costs for, for example, materials, supplies and travel that are necessary to carry out the project.
• Indirect costs (overhead): Costs that are linked to the project but do not arise directly, such as premises and cleaning. Indirect costs may not exceed 30 percent of salary costs. Universities, university colleges, research organizations and government agencies may have higher permitted levels, depending on activities.

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

Which eligibility requirements apply to costs we finance?

In order for your costs to be eligible for support, the following applies:

They must be factual, reasonable and necessary for the activities in the project.

They must be booked correctly and under a separate project code in the accounting. You may not cover project costs with other public funding or own funds intended for other project.

You may not claim someone else's expenses as your own.

For more detailed information on which eligibility requirements, limitations and exceptions apply, see our general terms and conditions.

The rules about state aid govern how large a proportion of the costs we can finance. This is determined individually for each organisation. We therefore differentiate between how large a funding project can get, and how much a participant organisation can get.

How big funding can the project get?

Projects can apply for a maximum of SEK 2,000,000. The total budget for this call for proposals is SEK 80 million, which means that approximately 40 project can be financed.

How much funding can a participant organisation get?

How much funding a participant organisation can receive depends mainly on:

• the organisation's size and activities
• which activities the organisation will carry out in the project.

Descriptions in the following sections about what support we can provide are simplified. For complete information, see Support bases and support levels for funding.

Support to companies for research and development

In this the call for proposals we give support to industrial research or experimental development.

Industrial research can be simply described as seeking new knowledge through planned research or critical analysis. This is to develop or significantly improve products, processes or services.

Experimental development can be simply described as combining, shaping and using existing knowledge to develop new or improved products, processes or services.

How much of the costs can we finance?

The organisation's The size and type of activity determines how much of the costs we can finance. This is called the maximum support level.

Maximum aid intensity for industrial research:

• Small business 70%
• Medium-sized company 60%
• Large company 50%

Maximum aid intensity for experimental development:

• Small business 45%
• Medium-sized company 35%
• Large company 25%

Situations where we finance a higher proportion

If the project is covered by any of these bonus bases, we can finance a higher proportion of the costs.

• Actual collaboration: Some level of collaboration between small and larger companies, between companies in two different European countries or between research organisations and companies.
• Dissemination of results: Extensive dissemination through, for example, conferences or open databases.
• Other bonus basis.

Maximum aid intensity for industrial research with bonus basis:

• Small business 80%
• Medium-sized company 75%
• Large company 65%

Maximum aid intensity for experimental development with bonus basis:

• Small business 60%
• Medium-sized company 50%
• Large company 40%

Support of minor importance to companies

We can provide de minimis support, also known as support of minor importance. We can then finance up to 100 percent of an organization's costs.

A organisation can receive a maximum of 300,000 euros over a three-year period in this form of support, regardless of the funder and project. This means that if the same organisation has received support of lesser importance in other project from other funders before, it affects how large the support can be in this the call for proposals.

Submit a signed certificate of de minimis support when you submit proposal. This is required for us to be able to grant this support.

Certificate of support of minor importance

Support to universities, university colleges and others organisations

We give support to organisations that do not engage in economic activities. This means that the organisation do not offer a service or product on a market. This usually includes universities and university colleges, research institutes and other public organisations.

This support is not covered by state aid rules. We can therefore finance up to 100 percent of the costs of such an organization. The support is often called “not state aid.”

How is it determined whether a organisation is engaged in economic activities?

A organisation that offers any form of service or product in a market is considered to be engaged in economic activities and cannot be granted this form of support.

It does not matter how the the organisation is financed: whether it is public or private, or whether it has a profit motive. It also does not matter what legal form the business has. For example, whether it is a limited liability company, a trading company, an economic association, a non-profit association or a foundation.

Whether a organisation engages in economic activities is determined by their regular activities, not by the activities in the project.

Some organisations conduct both economic and non-economic activitiesactivities, such as research institutes. In that case, it is important that you know in which of these activities you are applying.

If you are unsure whether a organisation in your project conducts economic activities, contact call manager. However, The organisation is responsible for assessing whether it conducts economic activities.

In order for us to assess your proposal it must meet certain formal eligibility requirementsrequirements. If the requirements are not met, we will reject your proposal immediately.

Eligibility requirements on participants

• All participants organisations must be legal entities. Individuals or sole proprietorships cannot participate. Foreign legal entities can also participate. However, foreign actors that receive funding from us must have a branch or establishment in Sweden, and the costs must be incurred by the branch or establishment.
• The coordinating party must be a Swedish legal entity and conduct activities in Sweden.
• At least two participants must participate in the project. This includes the coordinating party.
• At least one participant must be an actor from the public sector (municipality, municipality- and local government associations, regions or state public authority).
• At least one participant must be a business actor (company).

Eligibility requirements on the project

• The project may apply for a maximum of SEK 2,000,000.
• The project must start no later than November 2, 2026.
• The project must not have started before you submit your proposal.
• Costs for consulting services and licenses may not exceed 20 percent of an organization's budget.

Eligibility requirements on proposal

• Proposal should be written in Swedish or English.
• Proposal should follow the instructions under the heading "How to apply".
• Proposal should contain all requested attachments which must also follow our templates and page restrictions, see details about attachments under section 9

Applications that meet our eligibility requirements criteria will be forwarded to assessment. In the assessment, we look at how big potential your idea is, how realistic it is and who will implement the project.

We also look at how well your project integrates gender equality, both in how your project group is composed and how you implement the project. By integrating sex and gender perspectives, more inclusive and relevant solutions are developed. This strengthens both the innovation capacity and the project's results.

Gender equality as a tool for innovative social development

What do we assess?

When assessing applications, we look at three main criteria:

• Potential: We analyze what effects and what value we can expect from the project.
• Actors: We assess the participants' competence and ability to implement the project and achieve the desired results and effects.
• Feasibility: We assess how realistic and credible the project plan is, both for implementing the project and for achieving the desired results.

Potential

• How well the project establishes or deepens actual and effective collaboration between the public sector and business.
• How well the project proposal contributes to developing new innovative solutions that respond to identified needs and that have the potential to be scaled up nationally and/or internationally in the long term.
• How well the project contributes to increasing the competitiveness of the business community.
• How well the project contributes to increasing the conditions for the public sector to develop and evaluate innovations.
• How well the project integrates perspectives from other sectors. For example, relevant user and civil society perspectives, research findings and academic expertise.
• How well the project proposal contributes to increased gender equality by integrating perspectives on sex and gender.

Actors

• How well the composition, participation, competence and ability of the actor constellation contribute to project objectives and implementation.
• How well the project manager and other key people are assessed to be able to lead and implement the project.
• How well the financial contribution, participation, power and influence are distributed equally between women and men in the project team.

Feasibility

• How well the project plan and budget are assessed to be able to realize a solution in accordance with the project proposal.
• How credible the project plan's risk analysis and action plan for these risks are.
• How well the gender distribution in the project team and perspectives on sex and gender have been integrated into the project plan.
• How good the conditions are for the project's results to be taken forward, disseminated and used after the end of the project.

How do we assess?

Once we have received the applications, we will review them. Applications that do not meet the formal eligibility requirements or that are incomplete will be rejected and will not be processed for assessment.

The applications that are correct and complete are distributed among different evaluator and assessed in competition with each other. The evaluators are appointed by us based on their expertise in the field. Each proposal is assessed by at least three evaluator.

Once the evaluators has reviewed the applications, we have an assessment meeting where the evaluators recommends which applications should be granted.

Vinnova makes decisions on granting project and reserves the right to prioritize applications to create a balanced project portfolio with respect to the themes described in section 1.

How does it affect an organization's financial status?

Before we decide on funding we also make a comprehensive assessment of the organizational and financial status of those who receive funding.

We use information we receive from credit reports, currently from Dun & Bradstreet.

In our assessment we check this:

• Organisations who are granted funding for salary costs must be registered as an employer with the Swedish Tax Agency. If such registration does not exist when we make a decision, you must be able to show that a notification has been made. We do not approve retroactive registration.
• Organisations must not be insolvent, or undergoing liquidation or corporate restructuring. They must also not have any significant unpaid debts with the Swedish Enforcement Authority.
• The project manager should be employed by a participant, preferably the coordinating party.
• Limited liability companies must not have used up half or more of their share capital.

We can also ask small and medium-sized companies to demonstrate that they have the financial capacity to carry out the project.

Once we have assessed all applications, we will send you a decision either granting or rejecting your proposal. Since applications are assessed competitively, you may be rejected even though you meet all eligibility requirements and criteria.

In the decision, we state how large a proportion of the costs we cover for each organisation.

You cannot appeal our decision, but you are welcome to apply to us again at another time.

What happens if you are granted funding?

If we grant you 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 approve your participation and commit to carrying out the project.
• That you report how things are going, your costs and achievements to us during the project period.
• You must have a written project agreement that regulates your mutual rights and obligations in the project. All parties must sign the agreement before you submit your first progress report. Since it can take time to develop and negotiate an agreement, we recommend that you start this as soon as possible.
• How the results will be used and that scientific publication will be open access so that the results are made freely available to everyone.

See our general terms and conditions

Could you have to pay back funding?

If you have received more money than you are entitled to or if you do not follow our term, you may be liable for repayment.

When the call for proposals closes, your proposal will be registered as. We will then send an email confirmation to the person responsible for the user account, as well as to the project manager and the signatory. If you have not received a confirmation within 24 hours of the call for proposals closing, please contact us.

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

Who can read you proposal?

Your proposal will be read by employees at Vinnova and those evaluator who participate in this the call for proposals. Everyone works under a duty of confidentiality.

Applications submitted to us become public documents. This means that we must disclose them if requested. However, we keep certain types of information confidential if disclosure could be expected to cause financial harm to the individual. This applies to information about business and operational conditions, inventions or research results.

General documents and confidentiality