Acceleration of civil-military innovations by 2025

This call for proposals is part of the Civil-Military Innovation Program, which is a joint effort between Vinnova and the Swedish Armed Forces. The program primarily aims to contribute to increasing Swedish military capabilities, and is to be implemented in a way that strengthens the competitiveness of Swedish companies. It will also promote increased collaboration between civilian and military innovation system to strengthen Sweden's defense innovation capabilities.

Read more about the government mission for Civil-Military Synergies

Read more about strategic direction for Defense Innovation

The call for proposals is aimed at Swedish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have civil technology solutions with potential to solve defense-related challenges and needs. Solutions should be based on NATO's prioritized technology areas, the so-called Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDTs).

Companies that have already done business with the Swedish Armed Forces or FMV are not allowed to apply in this call for proposals.

Companies can apply for a maximum of SEK 1,000,000 in funding to carry out an innovation project for development and verification. Companies that are granted funding within this call for proposals will enter an accelerator program with a focus on supporting the development of a complementary business strategy aimed at the military and defense-related market.

Project may last for a maximum of nine months, starting no earlier than November 2025.

Access to cutting-edge technology is of central importance in a security situation characterized by instability and unpredictability. Civilian actors, by virtue of their innovative capacity, have an important role to play in contributing in innovative ways to solving military and security-related challenges.

The purpose of the call for proposals is to strengthen the conditions for Swedish small and medium-sized companies to further develop civil technology with potential to contribute to addressing defense-related challenges in an innovative way.

The call's focus areas

The call for proposals focuses on innovative solutions based on NATO's prioritized technology areas, the so-called EDTs.

Through the call for proposals we are looking for innovative solutions that are developed for a civilian market, but have potential to be adapted for military applications. The solutions should be based on one or more of the nine prioritized technology areas for innovation :

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Autonomous systems

• Quantum technologies

• Biotechnology and human enhancement technologies

• Space

• Hypersonic systems

• New materials and manufacturing

• Energy and propulsion

• Next generation communication network

To read more about the strategic context and aim and objective in each area, see NATO - Topic: Emerging and disruptive technologies

Sustainability and gender equality

Both Vinnova and the Swedish Armed Forces are tasked with promoting sustainable growth and social development. Therefore, there is also a focus on sustainability and gender equality.

An innovative force in a sustainable world - Vinnova

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

The core values of the Swedish Armed Forces - The Swedish Armed Forces

Gender equality and equality - Swedish Armed Forces

The call for proposals is aimed at Swedish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have innovative civil technology solutions with potential to solve defense-related challenges and needs. Solutions should be based on NATO's prioritized technology areas, the so-called Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDTs).

Companies that have already done business with the Swedish Armed Forces or FMV are not allowed to apply in this call for proposals.

Please note that companies granted funding in this call for proposals are not guaranteed future business or collaboration with the Swedish Armed Forces or other defense authorities.

In this call for proposals we do not fund collaborative projects between multiple companies, but each proposal applies to only one company.

the call for proposals gives companies the opportunity to develop technology and business strategy to operate in both civilian and defense-related markets. The funding consists of two stages and aims to strengthen the companies' ability to understand and navigate these two market logics, and to adapt their technology, business model and positioning accordingly.

Step 1: Innovation project for development and verification

Companies can apply for a maximum of SEK 1,000,000 in funding to implement an innovation project that addresses the need to test, verify or further develop technology, production methods, business models and customer relationships in line with the focus of the call. Examples of activities within this part include:

• Investigation of technical and design requirements for applications in both civilian and military markets.
• Development of prototypes or demonstration versions of products or services, including pilot work, testing and validation.
• Research and development of scalable production methods.
• Conducting studies or tests to verify the potential of an innovative solution for both civilian and military application areas.
• Mapping of market conditions, including identification of customer segments, user needs, possible partnerships and competitive situation within both civilian and military markets.

The above list only provides examples of activities that may be covered by funding.

Step 2: Accelerator program to build a dual-use strategy

Companies awarded funding under this call for proposals will participate in an accelerator program of approximately six months, with a focus on supporting the development of a complementary business strategy targeting the military and defense-related market. The program consists of two parts:

a. Joint knowledge-raising activities

These are arranged in collaboration with defense-related actors and aim to increase understanding of military defense needs, regulations, procurement processes and market logic.

b. Business development activities with a focus on dual-use

The activities are provided by accelerators with expertise in the relevant technology area, and include tailored interventions aimed at developing the company's strategic ability to act in both the civilian and military sectors.

Companies can choose from several accelerators that can offer relevant services. Vinnova will facilitate the matching between companies and accelerators with available capacity to offer companies support in line with aim and objective of the call. This process begins in connection with the project start and is carried out in the initial phase of the project, so that participation in the program can be integrated as a strategic part of the project's development.

Examples of business development activities that may be relevant for companies are:

• Strategic development and adaptation of the business model to enable the company to operate in both the civilian and military sectors simultaneously.
• Consulting to validate and position business ideas from a dual-use perspective.
• Support in developing and formulating a capital raising strategy, including advice on relevant forms of financing.
• Competence development of the team and business organization with a focus on dual-use.
• Development of the company's ability to scale up and industrialize its customer offering in a cost-effective manner, with particular consideration of eligibility requirements within both civilian and defense-related supply chains.
• Strategic development of management and protection of intangible assets, with a focus on securing critical technology while enabling future business development.

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 proposals these types of costs are eligible:

• Personnel costs: Salaries, social security contributions and other personnel costs.
• Equipment, land and buildings: Instruments, equipment and rent for premises other than regular business premises.
• Consulting and licensing costs: Consulting services, knowledge and patents purchased or licensed from a third party. Costs for consulting services from third parties may not exceed 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, 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 in the project
• recorded correctly and separately from the organization's other costs.

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

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

The state aid rules also govern how large a proportion of the costs we can finance.

How much funding can the project receive?

Step 1: Companies can apply for a maximum of SEK 1,000,000 in funding to carry out an innovation project for development and verification.

Step 2: Companies that are granted project funding in Step 1 may be granted an additional grant of a maximum of SEK 150,000 to cover costs associated with the mandatory participation in an accelerator program to build a dual-use strategy.

How much funding can applicant companies receive?

How much funding applicant companies can receive depends mainly on:

• what activities the company will carry out in the project
• company size and activities

Vinnova can grant support according to any of the three support bases below (ac) for Stage 1 of the call. For Stage 2, Vinnova can provide support according to support base d. Innovation support for SMEs. In the application form, applicant states which basis for support applicant believes the company is entitled to.

Supporting information for Step 1

a. Support for start-ups – Article 22

In this the call for proposals we provide support to start-ups. We can finance up to 100 percent of the company's project costs.

A start-up company means a company that:

• was registered, started its activities or became liable to pay taxes less than five years ago
• has fewer than 50 employees
• is not listed on the stock exchange
• not yet distributed profit
• has not taken over activities of another company, acquired or formed through a merger. For exceptions, see Funding grounds and levels for funding

We grant the grant in accordance with Article 22 of the European Commission's General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER).

b. De minimis support ( support of minor importance)

In this the call for proposals Vinnova also grants de minimis support, also known as support of minor importance. We can finance up to 100 percent of a project party's costs.

An organization 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 organization has received support of lesser importance in other project from other funders in the past, it will affect how large the support can be in this the call for proposals.

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

Certificate of de minimis support

We grant funding in accordance with the EU Commission Regulation (2023/2831) on de minimis support.

c. Research and development – Article 25

In this the call for proposals we also provide support for industrial research and experimental development.

What is industrial research?

Industrial research can be simply described as acquiring new knowledge and new skills to develop or significantly improve products, processes or services and can include building prototypes in a laboratory environment or in an environment with simulated interfaces to existing systems and to pilot operations.

What is experimental development?

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

For a full definition, see funding bases and levels

How much of the costs can we finance?

The size of the organization and type of activity determines how large a proportion of the costs we can finance.

funding bases and levels of support

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

Basis for support for Stage 2

d. Innovation support for SMEs – Article 28

Companies that are granted funding in Stage 1 can be granted innovation support of a maximum of SEK 150,000 in Stage 2 to cover costs associated with mandatory participation in an accelerator program to build a dual-use strategy.

We can finance up to 100 percent of these costs if the total amount is less than 220,000 euros over a three-year period. To be granted this support, you need to submit a certificate of innovation support for innovation services. This will be done in connection with the project start for grant applications.

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 at the company

• Applicant companies must be a Swedish limited liability company and conduct activities in Sweden.
• Applicant company must be a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) according to the EU definition, see How the EU defines small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• A company may only submit one proposal within the framework of this call for proposals.
• Applicant company must be the project's only participant.
• Companies that were granted funding in the call for proposals Acceleration of civil-military innovations 2024are not allowed to apply in this call for proposals.
• Applicant companies must be registered as employers with the Swedish Tax Agency.
• At the time proposal is submitted, the company has not conducted any business with the Armed Forces or FMV.

Eligibility requirements for the project

• The project manager must be employed by applicant company.
• The project may not begin before proposal is submitted.
• Costs for consulting services from outside parties 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 be completely completed and contain sufficient information to enable assessment against the call's assessment criteria.
• Completed Model Declaration form must be attached to proposal.
• If proposal applies funding with basis for support " Support of minor importance" (de minimis), a completed form "Certificate of support of minor importance" must be attached to proposal.

What do we assess?

Proposal must be in line with aim and objective of the call and will be assessed according to the criteria below.

Potential

• How relevant and innovative the proposed solution is within one or more of NATO's priority technology areas.
• To what extent does proposal demonstrate clear and credible potential to address defense-related needs, and how well the proposed solution can be adapted or further developed for defense-related applications.
• The project's potential to build a long-term dual-use strategy that can strengthen the company's competitiveness in both the civilian and military markets.
• How well the project is assessed to contribute to gender equality and sustainability with regard to Sweden's security, competitiveness and resilience.

Actors

• To what extent does the company have relevant expertise, experience and capacity to develop its civilian technology towards defense-related applications within one of NATO's prioritized technology areas.
• How well the composition of the project team reflects the competencies required to drive technology and business development in both civilian and military contexts.
• The team's capacity and ability to participate in an accelerator program to build understanding of the logic and needs of the defense market.
• How well the project team is composed in terms of gender distribution, and how well power and influence are distributed between women and men in the project.

Feasibility

• How credible and clear the project's budget, methodology and implementation plan are in relation to the project's objective, expected results and the activities planned.
• How well the project's activities are designed to strengthen and enable participation in the accelerator program, and how participation is strategically integrated into the development of the company's long-term dual-use strategy.
• How well risks are identified and managed in the project's implementation plan.
• To what extent does the project demonstrate that gender equality has been integrated into planning and implementation.
• How well the project considers environmental and climate aspects, for example linked to resilience, technology choices, production methods or resource use.

How do we assess?

Proposal are assessed in competition with other applications submitted to the call for proposals according to the following process:

1. Proposal are made in Vinnova's e-services
2. All applications that meet the formal requirements are assessed by specially appointed evaluator with relevant expertise.
3. Based on the assessors' recommendations, Vinnova and the Swedish Armed Forces will agree on which project will proceed to a decision on funding. To ensure a relevant spread of project within the call's prioritized technology areas (see section 2), Vinnova and the Swedish Armed Forces reserve the right to apply a portfolio strategy in the selection of applications for funding.
4. Vinnova makes formal decisions about which project are granted funding.
5. Decision notified to applicant.

We also assess financial status

Before deciding on funding, we also conduct 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 the following applies:

• Organizations seeking funding for personnel costs must be registered as employers with the Swedish Tax Agency.
• Organizations must not be insolvent, undergoing liquidation or corporate restructuring, nor must they 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 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 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:

• The project will participate in an accelerator program in accordance with the call text, see section 4.
• The project must be represented at the seminars or program conferences that Vinnova organizes during the project period. Costs for participation in such seminars/program conferences are eligible costs.
• In information about the project and in each publication of project results, it must be stated that the work was carried out with support from Vinnova (in English the name is given as Sweden's Innovation Agency) and the Swedish Armed Forces (in English Swedish Armed Forces) within the Civil-Military Innovation Program (CMIP). Publication refers to, for example, publication, regardless of medium, and oral presentations.

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.

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 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.

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?

Your proposal will be read by Vinnova employees and the external evaluator participating 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 confidential information that we believe could cause financial harm to the individual if disclosed. This could include information about business and operational conditions, inventions or research results.

How we handle public documents and confidentiality