Strengthened ecosystem for civil-military innovation collaboration

This the call for proposals is aimed at Swedish innovation environments and actors who want to develop new working methods and structures for civil-military innovation collaboration. The aim is to strengthen the connection between civilians innovation system and the Swedish Armed Forces by developing methods that make it possible to identify, mobilize and test civilian technology with potential to contribute to increased Swedish military capability and long-term national security. To ensure relevance and anchoring in the Swedish Armed Forces' activities an appendix from need owner from the Swedish Armed Forces shall be attached in proposal.

The initiative will finance project which develops, tests and applies methods for needs-driven civil-military innovation.

Within this call for proposals we finance these three different types of activities:

1. Feasibility study – analysis of military capability needs, operational context and collaboration opportunities between civilian innovation environments and military need owner within the Swedish Armed Forces
2. Method development – development of models, tools and working methods that contribute to promoting military capability development through civil-military innovation collaboration
3. Application – testing of methods that promote military capability development through civil-military innovation collaboration

Sweden has a well-developed ecosystem of innovation actors, such as innovation offices, incubators, science parks, accelerators and cluster organizations, that support technology and business development in the early stages. These environments play an important role in identifying and developing new companies and technical solutions, but often lack established working methods to contribute to military innovation and capability development by working systematically with military needs and its operational context.

This call for proposals aims to strengthen the ability of Swedish innovation actors to mobilize civilian technology that can ultimately contribute to military capability development by:

• increase civilian innovation actors' understanding of how they can contribute to the Swedish Armed Forces' capability development
• develop models and tools for strengthened civil-military innovation collaboration
• increase collaboration and create more contact and knowledge areas between civilian innovation actors, the Armed Forces, companies, academia and other defense authorities
• create scalable methods that can help create long-term structures for dual-use innovation
• strengthen the competence and capacity of civilian innovation environments to work with responsible defense-relevant innovation
• generate lessons learned and models that can form the basis for future national efforts in defense innovation.

​The goal is to contribute to a robust, dynamic and efficient innovation ecosystem that harnesses civil-military synergies and strengthens Sweden's defense capability, competitiveness and innovative power. The initiative will also generate concrete examples and lessons learned that can form the basis for future larger investments in civil-military innovation.

Government assignment for civil-military synergies

The call for proposals is a joint effort of Vinnova and the Swedish Armed Forces and is funded by the Swedish Armed Forces within the framework of a government assignment for civil-military synergies. The aim is, among other things, to create increased conditions for cross-sectoral collaboration with the intention that groundbreaking technology, developed for the civilian area, will be increasingly utilized through innovations in the defense area.

Read more about the government mission for Civil-Military Synergies

Read more about strategic direction for Defence Innovation

Contribute to a sustainable system transition

Both Vinnova and the Swedish Armed Forces are tasked with promoting sustainable growth and social development.

Gender equality as a tool for innovative social development

The core values ​​of the Armed Forces

The work of the Armed Forces for gender equality

The call for proposals is aimed at Swedish innovation actors and organisations – for example incubators, science parks, cluster organizations and others actors who in their daily activities have contact with companies and have some form of business advisory and business development task in their mission. Applicant shall have the conditions to develop methods for civil-military innovation cooperation in collaboration with the Armed Forces.

Actors can apply as a sole party or as a consortium. It is positive if project involves several parties. A Swedish innovation actor (for example, innovation office, incubator, science park or cluster organization) should be coordinator. Other participating parties can be, for example, companies, research institutes and academia or other authorities.

For method development projects and application projects, a need owner from the Armed Forces must describe the need that the project addresses in a mandatory appendix to proposal. The Armed Forces must not be a formal participant in Vinnova's application portal

The need-holder from the Armed Forces shall be represented by or given information by the combat force/defense branch staff or head of division within the Defence Staff in the relevant issue. The request for participation shall be handled by the combat force/defense branch staff or the department within the Defence Staff. Furthermore, there shall be a connection between the project and the Armed Forces' existing or planned activities.

Proposals that develop a software component should be directed towards the Swedish Armed Forces joint innovation platform SAFDIP (Swedish Armed Forces Digital Innovation Plattform)

The call for proposals funds project which contributes to developing and testing models for civil-military innovation collaboration. The activities that can be funded are:

1. Feasibility study – analysis of military capability needs, operational context and collaboration opportunities between civilian innovation environments and military need owner within the Swedish Armed Forces
2. Method development –– development of models, tools and working methods that contribute to promoting responsible military capability development through civil-military innovation collaboration
3. Application – and testing of methods that contribute to promoting military capability development through civil-military innovation collaboration

Applicant party can only choose one of the above described activities in their project.

What costs can we finance?

Our funding is subject to rules about state aid. The rules govern what kinds 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-related 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 amount to a maximum of 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?

The budget for the call for proposals is at least seven million SEK to be distributed in competition.

Feasibility study – Project can apply for a maximum of SEK 300,000 for preparatory projects.

Method development – Project can apply for 2 million SEK for collaborative projects

Application – Project can apply for 2 million SEK for collaborative projects

For method development and application projects, each individual participant can apply for a maximum of SEK 700,000. To apply for the maximum amount, at least three participants must participate in the project.

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 levels for funding.

Support to companies for research and development

In this the call for proposals we give support to experimental development, feasibility studies, support of minor importance or non state aid.

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

Feasibility studies can be simply described as a evaluation. It analyzes the following:

• 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.

How much of the costs can we finance?

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

Aid intensity for experimental development

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

Aid intensity for feasibility studies

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

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 cooperation: Some level of cooperation 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.

Aid intensity for experimental development

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

Support of minor importance to companies

We can also provide de minimis support, also known as support of minor importance. We can fund 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 in the past, it affects 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

Support to universities, university colleges and other public organisations with non-economic activities

We also 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.

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

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

A organisation that offers any kind of service or product on a market is considered to be conducting an 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.

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 participate if they have a branch or establishment in Sweden and the costs arise at the branch or establishment.
• The coordinating party, the civil innovation actor, must be a Swedish legal entity and conduct activities in Sweden and who in their daily activities has contact with companies and has some form of business advisory and business development task in their assignment.
• A applicant can only search as coordinator in a proposal in this call for proposals
• The need-holder from the Armed Forces shall be represented by or given information by the combat force/defense branch staff or head of division within the Defence Staff in the relevant issue. The request for participation shall be handled by the combat force/defense branch staff or the department within the Defence Staff. Furthermore, there shall be a connection between the project and the Armed Forces' existing or planned activities.

Eligibility requirements on the project

• Feasibility study – Project can apply for a maximum of SEK 300,000 for feasibility studies and may last a maximum of 4 months. The project must start no later than November 20, 2026 and end no later than March 20, 2027.
• For method development and application projects, each individual participant can apply for a maximum of SEK 700,000. To apply for the maximum amount, at least three participants must participate in the project.
• Method Development – Project can apply for a maximum of 2 million SEK for collaborative projects and may last for a maximum of 12 months. The project must start no later than November 20 and end no later than November 20 October 2027.
• Application – Project can apply for a maximum of 2 million SEK for collaborative projects and may last for a maximum of 12 months. The project must start no later than November 20 and end no later than November 20, 2027.
• The project may not be started before you have received notification of approval.
• 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 use the project description template that fits the applied specialization: feasibility study, method development or application project
• Proposal should follow the instructions under the heading "How to apply" in Chapter 9.
• Proposal should contain all requested attachments.
• For project focusing on method development or application, an appendix from the Armed Forces must be attached to proposal.
• For parties applying under basis for support de minimis, a signed de minimis certificate is required.
• Project descriptions including CVs that exceed the maximum number of pages as instructed in the project description template will not be assessed.
• Project summary must be attached according to the template for sharing with the defense authorities (Defense Forces, FMV, FOI and FHS).

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.

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 large potential the project proposal has to achieve the call's objective and aim.
• How well-founded and relevant the project proposal's analysis is of the need or problem to be addressed, including understanding of the military eligibility requirements and operational context.
• How well the project establishes and develops effective civil-military collaboration, with a focus on relevance, mutual value and potential for continued collaborations.
• To what extent does the project contribute to the development of knowledge, competence and skills that strengthen the Armed Forces' capability development.
• To what extent can the project's results be scaled up, disseminated or utilized within the Armed Forces in an operational context.
• How well the project proposal contributes to increased gender equality by integrating perspectives on sex and gender.
• How well anchored is the project proposal in the Armed Forces' existing or planned activities.

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 individuals are assessed to be able to lead and implement the project, including experience of collaboration with the Armed Forces.
• How well the financial contribution, participation, power and influence are distributed equally between women and men in the project team.
• For method development and application projects, to what extent does the project proposal and the constellation of actors build on previous activities, collaboration and results.

Feasibility

• How realistic and appropriate the project plan and budget are in relation to the project's objective, scope and expected results.
• How credible the project plan's risk analysis and action plan for these risks are.
• How well the project describes how results will be taken care of, anchored and disseminated to relevant actors, including the Armed Forces and other parts of the total defense.
• How well the gender distribution in the project team and perspectives on sex and gender have been integrated into the project plan.
• How well the need for any consulting services and licenses is justified.

How do we assess?

Once we receive the applications, we review them. We screen out any 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 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.

In cases where the applications are deemed equivalent, the evaluators will also consider a national portfolio approach, to ensure good dissemination.

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

In our assessment we check this:

• That organisations who are granted funding for salary costs are registered as employers 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.
• That organisations is not insolvent, or undergoing liquidation or corporate restructuring. You must also not have any significant unpaid debts with the Swedish Enforcement Authority.
• That the project manager is employed by the coordinating party in the project.
• That a limited liability company has not used up half or more of its share capital.

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.
• If you are multiple parties, you must have a written project agreement that regulates your mutual rights and obligations in the project. All parties must sign the agreement before the project starts. Since it can take time to develop and negotiate an agreement, we recommend that you start this as soon as possible.

See our general terms and conditions

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

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

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