5G and automation for operational industrial benefit

With this the call for proposals, we want to fund collaborative projects that develop, test and verify solutions with high eligibility requirements on connectivity and digital infrastructure. Projects should be based on industry needs. They will enable the implementation, scaling and dissemination of value-creating applications in industrial operations, where 5G Standalone (5G SA) is an important component.

The solutions will show how 5G and automation can create operational benefits in, for example, production, operation, monitoring and optimization.

The call for proposals is aimed at project with at least two participants, where at least one is a Swedish company. A committed need owner from industry, who intends to introduce the solution in their activities, will be included. actors from industry, industry, academia, research institutes and the public sector can also participate.

Every project can apply for three to fifteen million kronor in funding and must last for at least 12 months and at most 36 months. Vinnova's funding can amount to a maximum of 50 percent of the project's eligible costs.

The call for proposals is part of the Advanced digitalisation programme, an industry-driven programme to promote Sweden and the Swedish industry's ability to create the digital solutions of the future. The projects financed will contribute to Sweden's joint ability to create and use the opportunities of digitalisation. 

The development of digitalisation, AI, automation and 5G gives Swedish industry new opportunities to streamline, increase quality and increase safety. At the same time, applications such as remote control, autonomy, monitoring, optimization and automation place high eligibility requirements on robust connectivity, advanced data management and digital infrastructure.

5G standalone (5G SA) in public and private networks makes it possible to develop and use advanced solutions in industrial environments. Examples of advanced features in 5G SA are custom connection quality, positioning, information about user density, device status, etc. The features can also be made available via programmable interfaces (network APIs)

Companies may have difficulty moving from testing and piloting to solutions that scale up, are used and create value in the business.

With this the call for proposals we want to fund project that develops and verifies industrial solutions with support of the advanced features that 5G SA allows. The focus is on applications that create business benefits through new ways of working, increased efficiency, improved quality, higher safety or increased automation. Some examples of relevant areas of application are: 

• Remotely operated or autonomous working machines for more efficient production and increased personal safety. 
• Robots for automated handling, for example in warehousing, logistics and manufacturing.  
• Resolutions that collect and analyse real-time data for quality assurance, monitoring, early warning and rapid re-planning. 
• Connected tools and sensors that provide direct feedback and quality assurance in production. 
• Robust alarm and communication systems that strengthen safety in industrial environments and also work in the event of accidents or other disturbances. 
• Solutions that combine real-time data and simulation to detect deviations, anticipate maintenance needs and quickly reschedule production. 

At the end of the projects, the parties shall have an established plan for the continued use and upscaling of their solution. The project should have verified the business benefits, demonstrated functioning end-to-end solutions and created the organizational conditions needed to go from testing to use on a larger scale.

The projects results should have good potential for dissemination and impact, so that knowledge, experience and skills will benefit more than the organisations participating in the projects.

What are the projects expected to achieve?

The projects receiving funding should show how automation and 5G SA-based connectivity create benefits in the industry, and lower the thresholds for similar initiatives. The projects will also achieve the following short- and long-term effects.

Short-term effects

Project in the call for proposals is expected in the short term:

• Show concrete examples of how advanced digitalisation, automation and 5G SA-based connectivity can create verified benefits in industrial operations.
• Create practical experiences of how technology, activities and digital infrastructure need to work together to enable the introduction of solutions based on 5G SA in regular activities.
• Strengthening companies' ability to introduce and scale new solutions through increased knowledge of organizational anchoring, value validation and coordinated development of activities and infrastructure.

Long-term effects

Project within the call for proposals is expected in the long term:

• Contribute to a wider use of advanced digitalisation, AI, automation and 5G SA in Swedish industry.
• Strengthening industry competence, innovative capacity and capacity to scale digital solutions.

The Advanced digitalisation

The call for proposals program is part of the Advanced digitalisation program, a effort from Vinnova in collaboration with industry, that mobilises actors from different parts of society towards joint objective.

Advanced digitalisation wants to strengthen Swedish research and will make Sweden more attractive when it comes to research and innovation investments, and stimulate the development of advanced digital technologies. The program will be implemented with a long-term perspective and contribute to innovative, enabling technologies and the development of key competence areas that meet the needs of industry.

Read more about the program at Advanced digitalization website.

For project within the call for proposals, collaboration with Digital Arena Sweden, a project within the Advanced digitalisation program, can be a valuable way to gain access to skills, infrastructure and test environments that can accelerate the development from innovation to finished solution. The arena offers opportunities to test, verify and further develop advanced digital solutions in areas such as 5G, 6G and AI in realistic use environments.

Project, who believes that these resources can strengthen the implementation of their effort, is encouraged to contact Digital Arena Sweden to investigate the possibilities for collaboration. Collaboration with Digital Arena Sweden is voluntary and does not constitute either a eligibility requirements or an assessment basis within the call for proposals. Project can also use other test and innovation environments that are deemed suitable for the implementation of the project.

Read more on Digital Arena Sweden's website Digital Arena Sweden

We are targeting actors who can influence and accelerate the adoption, scaling and deployment of value-creating applications of advanced digitalisation, where 5G standalone (5G SA) is an enabling technology, with the possibility to use network APIs. 

The call for proposals is aimed at consortia with at least two participating participantss where industrial companies, SMEs, universities, university college, research institutes and other relevant actors can be included. The projects must be driven by industrial needs, therefore at least one Swedish company in the form of a limited liability company must be part of the consortium. All participating parties can be companies.

There should be a committed need owner in the project consortium to ensure that the project is based on concrete needs and the results will be used. Relevant functions should also be involved in the entire process, from planning and implementation to implementing and utilising the results.

Projects can benefit from experience, skills and solutions from different industries and sectors, where knowledge and working methods can be transferred or adapted to contribute to the project.

Industry in the Advanced digitalisation programme refers to the entire production chain – from extraction of raw materials to finished products, as well as industrial services and technology sectors needed for the production chain to function. This includes, for example, energy, logistics and transport, telecommunications, water/air/ventilation and recycling. The defence industry is also covered.

Every participant seeking funding shall have Swedish legal personality. In this respect, foreign organisation who has a branch or an establishment in Sweden is equated with a Swedish legal person. The costs of the project shall be attributable to the activities of the branch or establishment.

We fund collaborative projects that develop, test and verify solutions with high eligibility requirements on connectivity and digital infrastructure, where 5G Standalone (5G SA) is a key enabling component.

The call for proposals requests project with potential to be implemented and provide broad benefits in Swedish industry, for example in remote control, autonomy, monitoring, optimization and automation.

The funded projects will respond to both technical and organizational challenges. You therefore need to involve relevant parts of the business, such as production, operations and IT. Projects are expected to address the barriers currently limiting effective deployment and adopt an end-to-end perspective across the value chain.

Examples of activities that can be included in the projects: 

• carry out tests in real or real-life environments together with users, customers, suppliers and other relevant requirements. 
• Develop demonstrators and prototypes to demonstrate and verify solutions in industrial environments. 
• Test, verify and evaluate the solution's function, reliability, safety, operational benefit and scalability, and assess whether the benefit justifies inclusion in the regular activities. 
• Identify the need for adaptations of technology, processes and organisation in order for the solution to be integrated, implemented and used on a larger scale. 
• Further develop the solution based on test results and business needs and eligibility requirements. 

To promote interoperability, applicability and upscaling opportunities, the use of open standards, including network APIs, is a merit.

The call for proposals is for project in experimental development, i.e. project that develops new or improves existing products, processes or services, including digital products, processes and services. Experimental development, on the other hand, does not include routine or recurring changes to existing products, production lines, manufacturing processes, services or other ongoing operations, although such changes may mean improvements.

What costs can we finance?

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

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

• Remuneration costs: Gross wages and salaries paid, employer's contributions and other non-wage labour costs.
• Equipment, land and buildings: Costs of instruments, equipment and rent for premises other than ordinary business premises.
• Consultancy and licensing costs: costs of consultancy services, knowledge and patents purchased or used under licence from an external actor; These costs may not exceed 20% of an organisation's budget. In case of special needs, for example if the project requires specialist expertise, we can accept a higher percentage. You should then justify this in your proposal, and the justification is taken into account in the assessment of the project.
• Other direct costs: Costs such as materials, supplies and travel necessary to carry out the project.
• Indirect costs (overheads): Costs linked to the project but not directly incurred, such as premises and cleaning. Indirect costs may not exceed 30% of wage costs. Universities, university colleges, research organisations and government agencies may have higher permitted levels, depending on activities.

For more detailed information on what costs we can fund, see Instructions to eligible costs

What eligibility requirements applies to costs we fund?

For your costs to be eligible, include:

• They must be actual, reasonable and necessary for the activities in the project.
• They must be entered correctly and on a separate project code in the accounts. You may not cover project costs with other public funding or own funds intended for other project.
• You may not include someone else's costs as your own.

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

The rules about state aid determine how much of the costs we can finance. This is determined individually for each organisation. We therefore distinguish between how big the funding project can get, and how much a participating organisation can get.

How big funding can the project get?

The project can get between three and fifteen million kronor in funding, and a maximum of 50% of the project's total eligible costs. The preliminary total budget of the call is SEK 40 million.

How big funding can a participating organisation get?

How big funding a participating organisation can get depends mainly on:

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

Descriptions in future sections about which support we can provide are simplified. For full details, see Grants and support levels for funding.

Support to companies for research and development

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

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

Which companies qualify as small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)? 

• To assess the size of a company, we apply the EU SME definition. The definition is based on the number of employees, annual turnover and balance sheet total.  
• If the company is part of a group, data for the whole group should be included. If the undertaking owns or is owned by other undertakings between 25 % and 50 %, this information shall be taken into account.  

For help in determining whether a company is an SME, see: How does the EU define small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

How much of the costs can we finance?

The organisation's size and type of activity determine how much of the costs can we finance. This is called the maximum aid intensity.

Maximum aid intensity for experimental development:

Lity of enterprise 45 %

Medium-sized enterprise 35 %

Large enterprise 25 %

Situations in which we finance a higher proportion

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

• Actual cooperation: Some level of collaboration between small and large 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 base.

Maximum aid intensity for experimental development with bonus base:

Lity of company 60 %

Medium-sized company 50 %

Large company 40 %

Support to universities, university colleges and other public organisations

We also give support to organisations who does not conduct economic activities. This means that the organisation does not offer a service or product on a market. This usually includes universities, research institutes and other public organisations.

This aid is not covered by the State aid rules. We can therefore finance up to 100% of the costs of such an organisation. The aid is often referred to as ‘not state aid’.

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

A organisation offering any kind of service or product on a market is considered to engage in economic activities and cannot be granted this form of support.

It does not matter how the organisation is financed: whether it is public or private, or whether it is profit-making. Nor does it matter what legal form the activity takes. For example, whether it is a limited liability company, a partnership, an economic association, a non-profit association or a foundation.

If a organisation conducts economic activities is determined by their ordinary activities, not by the activities of the project.

Some organisations conducts both economic and non-economic activities, such as research institutes. Then it is important that you know in which of these activities you apply.

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

For us to judge your proposal, it must meet some formal eligibility requirements. If the requirements are not met, we will reject proposal directly.

Eligibility requirements on participants

All participating organisations shall be legal entities. Natural persons or sole proprietorships cannot participate. Foreign legal entities may also participate. However, foreign actors that may funding by us must have a branch or a place of business in Sweden, and the costs shall be incurred by the branch or place of business.

The coordinating party shall be a Swedish legal entity and conduct activities in Sweden.

At least two participants, at least one of which is a company, shall participate in the project. This includes the coordinating party. Different parts of a organisation are the same legal entity and count as a participant, such as two departments at a university.

Eligibility requirements on the project

• The project may apply for a minimum of SEK 3 million and a maximum of SEK 15 million.
• The project must start no earlier than 19 March 2027 and no later than 19 April 2027.
• The project must be completed no later than 19 April 2030.
• The project must not have started before you have submitted your proposal.

Eligibility requirements on proposal

• Proposal must be written in Swedish or English.
• Proposal must follow the instructions under the heading "How to apply".
• Proposal must contain all requested appendices.

The applications that meet our eligibility requirements will proceed to assessment. In the assessment we look at how big potential your idea has, 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 gender and gender perspectives, more inclusive and relevant solutions are developed. It strengthens both the innovation capacity and the results of the project.

Gender equality as a tool for innovative societal development

What do we assess?

When assessing applications, we look at three main criteria:

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

Potential (40%)

• The potential of the project to develop solutions, knowledge and skills that promote advanced digitalisation and renew Swedish industry, in accordance with what the call for proposals asks for and expects the projects to achieve.
• How innovative the project proposal is in relation to existing solutions and ongoing major investments in the field.
• To what extent the project addresses solutions based on advanced features in 5G SA.
• How credible the project proposal analysis is of the problem picture and the results that the proposed solution is expected to achieve.
• How likely it is that the project proposal will lead to new knowledge, new skills and solutions that will be scaled up and implemented and come to the benefit of Swedish industry.
• contributes to increased gender equality by integrating perspectives on gender and gender.

Actors (30%)

• How well the actor constellation's composition, participation, competence and ability contribute to the project's objective and implementation.
• The consortium's anchorage in Swedish industry, including the extent to which relevant industry actors and need owner are actively involved in the project.
• The project partners' ability to disseminate, utilize, commercialize and further develop the results and knowledge generated in the project, both within their own the organisations and outside the consortium.
• How well the project proposal and actor constellation build on previous activities and results.
• How well the project leader and other key people are judged to have led and implemented the project.
• How well the financial contribution, participation, power and influence are distributed equally between women and men in the project team.

Feasibility (30%)

• How well the project plan, the actor constellation and the budget are judged to be able to realize the project proposal, involve relevant business functions and manage technical and organizational challenges.
• How credible the project plan's risk analysis and action plan for these risks are.
• How well the project plan shows how the results will be anchored and disseminated to important actors in the field.
• How well the gender balance in the project team and perspectives on gender and gender have been integrated into the project plan.
• How convincing the plan is for utilizing and further developing results and knowledge generated in the project so that project results will be used after the end of the project.
• How well the need for consulting services and licenses is justified. This only applies if an organisation's budget includes more than 20 per cent consultancy and licensing costs.

How do we assess?

Once we have received the applications, we review them. We sort out all applications that are incomplete or do not meet our eligibility requirements.

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

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

How does an organization's financial status affect?

Before we decide on funding, we also make an overall assessment of the organizational and financial status of those who receive funding.

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

In our assessment, we check this:

• Organisations granted to funding for wage costs to be registered as an employer with the Swedish Tax Agency. If such a 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 shall not be insolvent, or undergo liquidation or corporate reorganisation. They should also not have unpaid debts of significance to the Swedish Enforcement Authority.
• The project manager should be employed by a participant, preferably the coordinating party.

• Shareholders should not have used up half or more of their share capital.

If we request, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must be able to show that they have financial cover to carry out the project according to their budget in proposal. Financial coverage refers to a registered turnover or available capital corresponding to the company's entire budgeted own funding of the project.

If we request, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must verify the SME status of the company with a model declaration according to this model declaration template.

When we have assessed all applications, we will send you a decision in which we either approve or reject your proposal. Since the applications are assessed in competition, you may be rejected even though you meet all eligibility requirements and criteria.

In the decision, we indicate how much 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 if you are granted funding?

If we grant you proposal, you must follow our general terms and conditions for funding. The terms and conditions include this:

That you sign a special document (Participant's approval) in which you accept your participation and undertake to carry out the project.

• That you report to us on the progress, your costs and achieved results 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 submitting your first progress report. Since it may take time to develop and negotiate an agreement, we recommend that you start with this as soon as possible.
• How to use the results and that scientific publication should take place with open access so that the results are made freely available to everyone.

See in our general terms and conditions.

You also need to follow the special conditions that applies to this the call for proposals:

• The project should, at the invitation of the Programme Manager of Advanced Digitalisation, participate in relevant events within the programme and thus contribute to the dissemination of knowledge within Swedish industry in accordance with the programme's aim.
• In the information about the project and at each publication of project results, state that the work has been carried out with support from Vinnova within the Programme Advanced digitalisation. Publication refers, for example, to publication, regardless of the medium, and oral presentations. In English, the name Vinnova is reproduced with Sweden’s Innovation Agency.

We can also decide to add complementary special conditions for individual project. If so, they are set out in the decision.

Can you have to repay funding?

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

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

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

Who can read you proposal?

Your proposal will be read by employees at Vinnova and the 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 have to disclose them if they are requested. However, we treat certain types of information as confidential if it is likely to cause economic damage to the individual if they are disclosed. It concerns information on business and operational conditions, inventions or research results.

General documents and confidentiality.