Accelera FFI preparatory project - fall 2025

With the Accelerate sub-program, FFI wants to create conditions for system demonstrators in aim to achieve significant system changes that accelerate the pace of the transition to sustainable road transport through broad collaborations 

Read more about FFI Accelerera

FFI Accelerera particularly welcomes applications concerning preparatory projects for sustainable road transport in the following areas: 

• Autonomous transportation systems 

• Electrified transport systems 

• Integration between energy and transport systems including energy efficiency 

• Use of hydrogen in the transportation system 

• Complete solutions for fossil-free construction sites, ports, mines, etc. 

• Circular flows for example batteries 

Applications in other fields are welcome to apply. 

What is a system demonstrator? 

System demonstrations are a way to take the knowledge of what it takes to change a system and put it into practice. To change at the system level, a portfolio of solutions that interact and move different parts of the system is often needed, rather than a single solution being implemented. 

The demonstrator should not be limited to technical innovation, including services and processes, but also needs to work with culture and behaviors around the new solutions. Digital and physical infrastructure may need to be developed. Business models may need to be developed or adapted. Regulations and standards may also need to be adapted as technology and services develop, and this requires both dialogue and cooperation with relevant actors.

A system demonstrator should contain allfive system dimensions: 

• Behavior, culture and values 

• Business Models 

• Regulations and standardization (“policy”) 

• Infrastructure, physical and digital 

• Technology, products, services and processes 

Read more about the five dimensions in FFI's Roadmap  

What characterizes a system demonstrator? 

• It is clear which systemneeds to be changed, there is a common goal and a picture of obstacles and opportunities. 

• Actorsfrom all parts of the system that is subject to change participate, show commitment and can jointly influence the system.It is clear who the key actorsare and their role in system change.Activity and commitment from several relevant need ownersare required. Need owners refer to users, requirement setters and customers. 

• Strategic and coordinated solutionsthat clearly contribute to the common vision and that are selected and designed to examine multiple dimensions(technology, infrastructure, behavior, culture and values, business opportunities, policy, regulations, standards), of the system simultaneously. It is not enoughto demonstrate technology solutions. The solutions must be mature enough to implement and encompass the entire system. 

• The activities carried out form a coherent whole that is large enough to represent the system, and the tests performed are evaluated and developed iteratively. 

• Demonstration and testing takes place in a real environmenttogether with need owners. 

• A system demonstrator should be scalable. The system solutions being tested are carefully designed to be able to branch, spread and scale up, which includes approaches to achieve a significant scale-up of funding. 

More information about system demonstrators

Result target 

Project that is granted is expected to result in all performance goals within the project period:

• Mapping and increased understanding of the system that is intended to be changed. 

• Increased knowledge about obstacles and opportunities in realizing the intended system demonstrator. 

• Well-founded project ideas with a clear goal of what a future system demonstrator should achieve. 

• Strengthened collaboration between actors in the consortium and discussions with potential future collaboration partners, including stakeholders. 

• A clear plan for what needs to be implemented to test the solutions in a real environment and achieve a system demonstrator. 

• A strategic analysis and "state of the art" of the proposed system solution, societal benefit and level of innovation compared to other solutions. 

FFI's objectives 

FFI's mission is to drive road transport research and innovations for a sustainable society. The program has a roadmap that sets the direction towards 2030. The long-term vision is for Sweden to lead the global transition to sustainable road transport. Three goals guide the work: 

• FFI demonstrates solutions that make society's road transport fossil-free, safe, equitable and efficient. 

• FFI develops sustainable solutions that are implemented and accepted by users and society. 

• FFI contributes, through innovation, partnership and collaboration, to developing expertise, infrastructure, new technology, regulations and business models within the road transport system. 

For the full content of the sub-programme, see FFI's roadmap 

Contribute to a sustainable system transition 

Vinnova is tasked with promoting sustainable growth and system transformation. To implement sustainable system transformation, we have chosen to base ourselves on the UN's global sustainability goals, defined in the 2030 Agenda. Vinnova prioritizes two perspectives: gender equality and climate change. All initiatives and project we finance are assessed based on how they contribute to these perspectives. 

We are therefore following up and assessing this: 

• If women and men participate in the project on an equal footing, receive contributions and have influence and power over the project. 

• How well the project analyzes and decides whether there are sex or gender aspects that are relevant to the project's problem formulation, solutions and effects. 

• How well the project contributes to climate change. 

Gender-equal innovation – what it means for those seeking funding from us 

Agenda 2030 as a driver for innovation 

Making scientific publications and results available 

When results from research and innovation are made freely available, more people can contribute to solving societal challenges. This the call for proposals will help make results available to everyone. Therefore, all scientific publishing should be open access. 

This the offer is aimed at project constellations that intend to collaboratively prepare for a system demonstrator for complex societal challenges that will ultimately contribute to accelerating the transition to a sustainable road transport system.

The offer is aimed at actor constellations that have conducted a feasibility study that has identified the preparatory project's societal challenge, main focus and key actors.

The preparation project requires at least three parties, of which at least one is a needs owner. Need owners refer to users, requirement setters and customers.

Foreign actors may be relevant and necessary to include as project partners in the project. In order for these actors to receive support from Vinnova, they need to have a branch or operating location in Sweden. In that case, the actor's project costs must be incurred in the branch or operating location.

This offer finances research and development activities, aim of which is to prepare a system demonstrator. The types of project activities approved within the framework of this call for proposals shall be covered by the Feasibility Study funding basis, see chapter 5. 

Activities for which funding can be applied for

Examples of activities for which funding can be applied for are: 

• Mapping of the system the intended solution(s) operates within and mapping of challenges and opportunities. 

• Project management, coordination, process support and leading expertise to promote systems thinking and innovation. 

• Planning of activities in the implementation of an upcoming system demonstrator how the five system dimensions will be explored in connection with selected solutions. 

• Identification and mobilization of new partners for an upcoming system demonstrator. 

• Analyses of various kinds to, for example, evaluate the novelty value and societal benefit of the intended system demonstrator. 

• Simpler tests aimed at evaluating and validating technology, methods, processes and business models for an upcoming system demonstrator project. 

• Dissemination of results to stakeholders outside the project. 

The types of project activities approved within the framework of this call for proposals shall be covered by the Feasibility Study funding basis. 

What costs can we finance? 

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

In this the call for proposalsthese types of costs are eligible: 

• Personnel costs:Salary costs, including employer contributions and other salary-related costs. 

• Equipment, land and buildings:Instruments, equipment and rent for premises other than the regular business premises. 

• Consulting and licensing costs:Consulting services, knowledge and patents purchased or used under license from a third party. Costs for consulting services from third parties may constitute a maximum of 20 percent of a project party's budget. 

• Other direct costs:For example, materials, supplies 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. Universities, university colleges and certain research organizations and government agencies have higher maximum limits depending on the type of activities. 

For more detailed information about which costs we can finance, seeInstructions 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 

• recorded correctly and separately from the organization's other costs. 

An organization may not claim someone else's costs as its own. 

For more detailed information on which eligibility requirements, limitations and exceptions apply, seeInstructions for eligible costs 

The state aid rules also govern how much of the costs we can finance. This is determined individually for each organization. We therefore differentiate between how much funding the projectcan receive, and how much each participantcan receive. 

How much funding can the project receive? 

Vinnova finances each individual project with a maximum funding of SEK 900,000. Maximum aid intensity of the project's eligible costs 75 percent. Each individual project must have at least 25 percent business financing. 

How much funding can a participant receive? 

In this the call for proposals we provide support for feasibility studies. Feasibility studiescan 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 carry out the project. 

• how likely it is that the project will succeed. 

For full definition, seefunding bases and levels 

How much of the costs can we finance? 

The size of the organization and type of activity determine how large a proportion of the costs we can finance, i.e. the maximum level of support. 

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

We grant funding in accordance with Article 25 of the EU Commission's General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER). 

Non- state aid

In this the call for proposals we also provide support to organisations that do not engage in economic activities ( not state aid). This usually includes universities and university colleges, research institutes and other organisations. 

We can finance up to 100 percent of such an organization's eligible costs. 

How do you determine whether an organization is engaged in economic activities?

An organization that offers any kind of service or product on a market is considered to be carrying out economic activities and cannot be granted this form of support. It does not matter how the organization 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. 

If you are unsure whether an organization in your project is conducting economic activities, contact call manager. However, the organization is responsible for assessing whether it is conducting economic activities. 

In order for us to take a position on and assess your proposal, it must meet certain formal eligibility requirements. If the requirements are not met, proposal will be rejected immediately. 

Eligibility requirements on organizational form of project parties 

• All project partners must be legal entities. Natural persons or individual companies cannot participate as project partners. 

• The coordinating party must be a Swedish legal entity and conduct activities in Sweden. In this respect, a Swedish legal entity is considered to be a foreign organization that has a branch or establishment in Sweden. The costs in the project must be attributable to activities of the branch or establishment. 

Eligibility requirements on the project 

• The project manager must be employed by the coordinating party in the project. 

• A feasibility study must have been carried out, not necessarily within the FFI program. 

• The project may not be started before proposal is submitted. 

• At least three parties, of which at least one is a need owner. 

• Project duration up to 12 months. 

• Maximum aid intensity is 75 percent. 

• Co-financing from the business community must amount to at least 25 percent of the project's total budget. 

• Costs for consulting services may constitute a maximum of 20 percent of a project party's budget. 

Eligibility requirements on proposal 

• Proposal must be written in Swedish or English. 

• Proposal must follow the instructions given in section 9. 

• A final report from a completed feasibility study must be attached to proposal. The feasibility study does not need to have been completed within the framework of FFI. 

• Proposal must contain all requested attachments specified in Chapter 8. Please note that no attachments other than those specifically specified may be attached to proposal. 

• Proposal must be submitted no later than 2:00 p.m. on the last day of application via Vinnova's e-services. Once the application period has expired, proposal can only be supplemented upon request from Vinnova. 

The project proposal must be in line with FFI's objectives and the focus of the call. Applications will be assessed based on the main criteria potential, feasibility, gender equality and actors, see below.
Read more about FFI's Roadmap 

Criteria for preparatory projects

Potential (weighted 40 percent)

• Potential to result in a system demonstration project that will ultimately contribute to sustainable road transport. 

• Social and business benefit in relation to existing knowledge and solutions. 

• The level of innovation of the project proposal in relation to existing solutions and major initiatives in the area. 

• How well proposal is based on previous feasibility study. 

• How well does proposal address the identified areas listed in Chapter 2. 

Implementation (weighted 25 percent)

• To what extent is the project based on a credible project plan and budget where activities are linked to project objectives. 

• How well the intended demonstration project highlights issues linked to the systems perspective:
  - Behavior and culture
  - Business Models
  - Regulations and standardization (“policy”).
  - Infrastructure, physical and digital, but not road infrastructure such as road surfaces, bridges, etc.
  - Technology, products, services and processes. 

• Working methods that support and facilitate the commitment of parties and the involvement of relevant actors including stakeholders. 

Actors (weighted 25 percent)

• How well relevant actors and stakeholders are involved in the project, to the right extent and at the right time to realize the project's potential and implementation. 

• The project manager's and key personnel's commitment, expertise, resources and ability to implement the project. 

• Degree of collaboration between the project's parties. 

Gender equality (weighted 10 percent)

• How well equality aspects such as sex or gender perspectives that may be important to take into account in connection with the project's problem area, solutions and effects are taken into account. 

• The composition of the team with regard to gender distribution, as well as the distribution of power and influence between men and women. 

• How well gender equality aspects have been integrated into the project plan. 

How do we assess? 

Applications that meet the formal requirements will be evaluated against the assessment criteria by specially appointed external independent evaluator, who are appointed by Vinnova. Proposal are assessed in competition with other submitted applications. 

Read more about FFI's call for proposals process 

We also assess financial status 

Before we decide on funding, we also make a comprehensive assessment of the organizational and financial status of those receiving funding. We use information we obtain from credit reports, currently from Dun & Bradstreet. 

In order for us to grant funding this applies: 

• Organizations seeking funding for personnel costs must be registered as employers with the Swedish Tax Agency. 

• Organizations must not be insolvent, or undergoing liquidation or corporate restructuring. They must also not have unpaid debts with the Swedish Enforcement Authority. 

• Limited liability companies must not have used up half or more of their share capital. 

• If requested, SMEs must be able to demonstrate that they have the financial means to implement the project according to their budget in proposal. They cannot use public funding or their own funds intended for other project to cover project costs in this call for proposals. 

Once 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 will be granted. Vinnova's 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 and all other parties sign a special document in which you agree to participate and commit to carrying out the project. 

• That you will report how things are going, your and the project partners' costs and achieved results to us regularly during the project period. 

• If you are multiple parties, you must agree on your mutual rights and obligations in the project in an agreement. It can take time to get a project agreement in place, so please start working on this well in advance of the project starting. 

• How the results will be used and how 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: 

1. Reporting and follow-up
   - Reporting and follow-up must be carried out in accordance with decisions, templates and special instructions available on FFI's website,www.ffisweden.se(under the templates and guidance tab).
   
   - The project must be represented at the seminars or program conferences that Vinnova and FFI will organize and convene specifically during the project period. Costs for participation in such a seminar/program conference are eligible for support. Upon request, the project coordinator must provide Vinnova and FFI with image and text material for project catalogs, annual reports, and the like. 
2. Project Agreement
   - agreement between the Project Parties to, among other things, regulate mutual commitments, rights and obligations, etc. within the project, see § 1.4 
3. Indication that the project was financed by the FFI program
   The following replaces § 7.3 of the General Terms and Conditions:
   - When providing information about the project and when publishing project results, it must be stated that the work was carried out with support from the Fordonsstrategisk Forskning and Innovation programs, FFI. 

We may also decide to add supplementary special conditions for individual project. In that case, they will be stated in the decision. 

Can you have to pay back funding? 

If you do not follow our term, you may be required to repay the loan. 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, participating project partners and budget. The following attachments are also attached to proposal: 

• Final reportfrom previously completed feasibility study. 

• Gantt chart/diagram (note: max one page) 

• Project summaryaccording to template, maximum 2 pages. 

Proposal shouldonlycontain requested mandatory attachments.All mandatory attachments should follow the structure found in the respective template. 

Start proposal well in advance 

Keep in mind that it takes time to make a proposal. The project description and CV are filled in as forms, not as attachments. Allow time to fill them in correctly. 

In our e-service you can start filling in the details and then continue at a later time. You can also distribute permissions to others who you want to contribute to proposal. 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. 

Vinnova does not have templates for project agreements, but Vinnova provides a general guide to help. Previously developed templates by the business partners within FFI may also be interesting to take inspiration from. On the Vehicle Component Group website you will find more information and contact persons for any questions regarding agreements. 

2025-06-30

Changes in section 1 under the heading " The offer in brief" under the fourth paragraph.

The sentence The project consortium should consist of a wide variety of actors who have the power to influence different parts of the systemt has been removed.

Changes in Section 2 "Who are we addressing?" in the first sentence.

The word wider has been removed.