Planning grant for international proposal 2024

The offer is aimed at those of you who plan to design a proposal for an international call for proposals for a research and innovation project in one of Vinnova's following areas; Sustainable industry, Sustainable societies, Sustainable precision health, Sustainable food systems and Sustainable mobility.

The offer addresses those of you who have well-developed project ideas and clearly planned activities to strengthen the project proposal for the international the call for proposals (the main project). The goal is that your ideas and activities should be able to result in competitive applications for international calls for proposals. Proposal for a planning grant must describe the selected international the call for proposals, the intended main project and what role applicant organizations or project parties have.

Those of you who plan to apply in an international call for proposalscan apply for up to SEK 300,000. The offer can be applied for by academic actors, research institutes, the public sector, civil society or small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sweden.

Actors who plan to coordinate a project within Horisont Europa can apply for up to SEK 500,000. Read more about how the EU Commission describes the assignment as coordinator from page 129.

See description of assignment

Vinnova starts from this description in our assessment. If you have follow-up questions about the coordinatorship or anything else related to Horisont Europa's calls for proposals you are welcome to contact the national contact persons. The planning project must last for a maximum of 12 months.

Alla Vinnovas's areas that are relevant in this investment have a limited budget. This means that the budget may run out within an area, and that the area then needs to end its participation in the ongoing investment. After each application period, it is clarified whether a specific area will have to refrain from further participation. This is announced in the revision history.

Sustainable mobility ends its participation in the investment in connection with the application period 2024-03-27 closure because the budget is exhausted. It is no longer possible to apply for funding for project that are linked to this area.

The following dates apply to the call for proposals:
In this offer assessments of applications are carried out on four occasions. In order to enable assessment during an application period, applications must be submitted before 14:00 on the reading day. Applications received after this time will be assessed at the next reading.

By participating in international collaborations, Swedish organizations get better opportunities to promote global sustainability and increase Sweden's competitiveness. This call for proposals aims to encourage Swedish actors to deepen their international collaborations and improve the ability to write competitive applications for international calls for proposals. The goal is to strengthen Swedish actors' chances to participate in high-quality international research and innovation projects and to increase the opportunities to receive international funding.

Sustainability and gender equality

Vinnova is tasked with promoting sustainable growth and community development. Genom Agenda 2030, the countries of the world have agreed on a global agreement and understanding of what characterizes sustainable development. Through our efforts, we contribute to the global commitment to reach the goals.

Read more about our work to contribute to the goals of Agenda 2030

In Inom Agenda 2030, Vinnova has specifically identified climate and gender equality as two central sustainability perspectives to which our funded investments should contribute positively. Project financed by Vinnova are therefore expected to take special account of the climate and gender equality aspects.

One aspect that Vinnova follows up on and assesses is whether both women and men equally share in the contribution, participate in and have influence over the project.

Another aspect involves analyzing and deciding whether there are gender or gender aspects that are relevant in connection with the project's problem area, solutions and utilization. This question is mandatory for all applicant and can be found under the heading " Project tasks". In this call for proposals the question is the basis for assessment under the potential criterion.

Read more about what our work for equal innovation means for those of you who seek funding from us

The offer is aimed at constellations consisting of one or more Swedish actors who intend to apply for international calls for proposals. Actors who want to collaborate both nationally and internationally with others to strengthen an international proposal for an identified call for proposals.

Foreign actors without a registered branch or place of business in Sweden can be included as project partners, but cannot receive funding from Vinnova.

The planning project aims to strengthen the conditions for competitive applications with Swedish participation in international calls for proposals.

Activities for which funding can be applied for

Approved project activities within the scope of this the call for proposals are for example:

• Activities to strengthen the consortium's composition and collaboration, such as meetings and discussions with potential international partners.
• Develop a project idea, write and submit a proposal to the identified international the call for proposals. External consultants, whose task is to write and design proposalitself, can be financed with a maximum of SEK 75,000. When hiring external expertise, it is important to describe their competence and previous experience in the field.
• Development of the scientific or technical basis for the project by, for example, carrying out pilot or "proof of concept" studies. It is important to explain why this is required for a successful proposal or if the international the call for proposals specifically requests this.
• Activities to strengthen the business case, including conducting IPR analyses, user interviews or developing an initial business plan. It is important to justify why these measures are needed for a successful proposal or if the international the call for proposals specifically requires them.

What is not funded in this the call for proposals is, for example:

• Planning projects that do not aim to submit a proposal to an identified international call for proposals.
• Main project that focuses solely on basic research.

Eligible costs

Our funding takes place through funding. Funding for organizations that carry out economic activities is covered by rules on state support. The rules govern, among other things, which types of costs and what proportion of them may be covered by funding.

Read more about government support on our website

The following costs are eligible:

• Salary costs.
• Material costs.
• Costs for consultants. Please note that costs for printer consultants are maximized to SEK 75,000 of the total costs.
• Travel expenses.

Support grounds and aid intensity

In this call for proposals funding will be granted with support of one of the following support bases:

De minimis support
Funding is granted in accordance with § 2, second point of the regulation (2015:208) on government support for research and development and innovation. The grant is granted as support of minor importance, also called de minimis support or negligible support in accordance with the EU's de minimis regulation.

Read more on Vinnova's website about de minimis support

The rules mean that we can finance a maximum of 80 percent of each project party's costs. Please note that the maximum permitted support of minor importance is EUR 200,000 per recipient in the last three years. In order to calculate the maximum allowable support, all funding granted under the Ordinance on minor support must be added together. funding for other parts of the group must also be included in this calculation. However, if you have received support according to GBER, you should not count on this. In order to be granted this support, you therefore need to submit a certificate of de-minimum support.

Non-state aid
Funding is granted in accordance with § 5 regulation (2015:208) on support for research and development and innovation. The grant is granted as non-state aid, which organizations that do not conduct economic activities can be granted. This generally includes universities and university colleges, research institutes and other organizations that do not offer any kind of service or product on a market. An organization applying for Non-state support is ultimately responsible for the assessment that it does not carry out economic activities.

The offer consists of two parts, depending on the role of the Swedish the actors:

• Actors who plan to apply in an international call for proposals can apply for up to SEK 300,000 per project.
• Actors who plan to coordinate a project within Horisont Europa can apply for up to SEK 500,000 per project.

The grant may constitute no more than 80 percent of the planning project's total eligible costs. The remaining amount must be self-financed by the project parties.

Please note that the maximum contribution rate per planning project is not the same as the maximum permitted support level per participant. The level of support for each participant is limited for companies around the rules for state support according to basis for support De minimis and non-state support.

More information on support levels can be found in the document "Support levels, definitions etc. for funding according to Vinnova's support scheme"

Conditions for us to assess proposal

We will only assess applications that meet the following formal eligibility requirements:

• Proposal must refer to a planning project for a specific international call for proposals.
• It must include a working direct link to the international the call for proposals to which applicant intends to apply.
• All project parties must be legal entities. Please note that sole proprietorships or sole traders are not legal entities.
• The project manager must be employed by one of the project parties.
• Proposal must be written in Swedish or English.
• Proposal must contain all mandatory attachments, and these must be written according to the current template and must not exceed the maximum number of pages allowed.
• The requested contribution can constitute a maximum of 80 percent of the project's total eligible costs. This means that at least 20 percent own funding is required from the applicant party or partners.
• Any costs for writing consultation may not exceed SEK 75,000.
• No other attachments shall be included in proposal beyond those specified in section 9.
• The planning project must last for a maximum of 12 months.
• Proposal must follow all instructions set out in Section 9.
• No foreign actors seek funds.

Applications that do not meet the formal requirements or instructions set out in Section 9 will not be assessed, and will be rejected without further justification.

What do we assess?

The project proposals must be in line with aim and objective of the call for proposals and are assessed based on the following criteria described below. It is important to note that if the international proposal has specific eligibility requirements on self- funding, applicant must describe how they will meet these eligibility requirements and secure the necessary self-funding.

Potential

• The planning project's potential to design a competitive proposal for an international call for proposals.
• The planning project's potential to identify and engage relevant actors both internationally and nationally.
• The main project's potential to be granted international funding.
• The main project's innovation height.
• The main project's potential to contribute to increased gender equality. Assessment takes place based on the applicant's answer to the mandatory question under " Project tasks".
• The main project's potential to contribute positively to the global goals of Agenda 2030, as well as minimize the negative effects.

Actors

• The capacity, competence and ability of the project team, including the consultants, to produce a competitive international proposal.
• The composition of the project team regarding gender distribution, including the distribution of power and influence between women and men.

Feasibility

• The planning project's schedule and budget are realistic, credible and appropriate.
• The planning project's activities are appropriate for strengthening an international proposal and, if relevant, for creating in-depth collaborations.
• How well gender equality aspects have been integrated into the implementation of the planning project and the main project.

How do we judge?

The assessment is based on proposal submitted via Vinnova's e-services. See Section 9 for more information.

The applications that meet the formal requirements according to chapters 6 and 9 are evaluated against the assessment criteria in section 7 by specially appointed external evaluator supplemented by expert programme manager at Vinnova. The overall evaluation results in a recommendation, based on which Vinnova makes decisions. Vinnova reserves the right to apply a portfolio perspective when selecting planning grants.

Applications submitted to us become public documents. But we do not give information about an individual's business or operating conditions, inventions and research results if it can be assumed that an individual will suffer damage if the information is disclosed.

About our decisions

How much each party in the project is granted in funding is shown in the decision. Funding will be granted with Support of minor importance (de minimis support) and non-state support. The basis for support appears in the decision and also governs which costs are eligible for support.

Our decision to grant or reject a proposal cannot be appealed.

Term for granted funding

For granted funding our general terms and conditions for fundingapply. The terms contain, among other things, rules about project agreements, conditions for payment, follow-up, reporting and utilization of results. Scientific publication must take place with open access in accordance with Vinnova's instructions.

Current term can be found on our website, along with help to understand and comply with the terms

Supplementary special conditions can be decided for individual project.
 
If you do not comply with our term you may be liable for a refund. This also applies if you have been granted funding incorrectly or with too high an amount.

2024-04-12

Addition of text in section 1 " The offer in brief" paragraph 3:

Actors who plan to coordinate a project within Horisont Europa can apply for up to SEK 500,000. Read more about how the EU Commission describes the assignment as coordinator from page 129.

See description of assignment

Vinnova starts from this description in our assessment. If you have follow-up questions about the coordinatorship or anything else related to Horisont Europa's calls for proposals you are welcome to contact the national contact persons.

2024-04-23

Additions and deletions of text section 1 " The offer in brief" paragraph 1:

The offer is aimed at those of you who plan to design a proposal for an international call for proposals for a research and innovation project in one of Vinnova's following areas; Sustainable industry, Sustainable societies, Sustainable precision health and Sustainable food systems and Sustainable mobility.

2024-04-23

Addition of text section 1 " The offer in brief" paragraph 6:

Alla Vinnovas's areas that are relevant in this investment have a limited budget. This means that the budget may run out within an area, and that the area then needs to end its participation in the ongoing investment. After each application period, it is clarified whether a specific area will have to refrain from further participation. This is announced in the revision history.

Sustainable mobility ends its participation in the investment in connection with the application period 2024-03-27 closing because the budget is exhausted. It is no longer possible to apply for funding for project that are linked to this area.