Impact Innovation: Development of international collaborations in the metals and minerals industry

The call for proposals is aimed at actor constellations with at least one Swedish research organization, one Swedish company and one foreign actor who together want to develop international collaborations within the metal and mineral value chain.

You can apply funding for activities that strengthen relationships, build common working methods and develop a basis for how the collaboration can continue after the project period, for example through long-term governance, funding, activity planning and international positioning.

The call for proposals will contribute to creating better conditions for long-term international collaborations that strengthen research, education and innovation. It will also increase the ability to participate in and influence international contexts for a sustainable and resilient supply of metals and minerals for societal transformation.

The call for proposals aims to develop and strengthen international collaborations in areas and with countries that are of high relevance to the Swedish metal and mineral industry value chain. The funding will contribute to building up structures, relationships and working methods that give collaborations better conditions to continue and develop in the long term after the end of the project period. The international collaborations will promote research, education and innovation within the sector and lay the foundation for long-term relationships. They will create structures for knowledge exchange, joint agenda and strategy development and contribute to competence and capacity building. The collaboration will be based on common challenges and opportunities, as well as the complementary strengths and competences of the parties. They will create benefits for both Sweden and the international partner countries.

Strengthened international collaborations are expected to increase the ability to influence international research and innovation efforts in the area. Organized and long-term collaborations can bring together actors around central research issues and other activities that contribute to the program's mission: to enable a sustainable and resilient supply of metals and minerals for societal transformation.

What are the projects expected to result in?

Project that are granted are expected to result in strengthened international collaborations in areas and with countries that are important for the Swedish metal and mineral industry's value chain. Each project shall deliver a comprehensive document that shows how the collaboration can continue after the end of the project, how it will participate in and influence international contexts linked to the program's mission. The document shall present:

• Proposals for how continued collaboration can be controlled and managed in the long term.
• A clear constellation of actors for continued collaboration, including the division of roles and responsibilities, as well as a possible plan for expansion with additional actors.
• A plan for how the continued collaboration can be financed after the end of the project period, for both Swedish and international partners.
• A plan that describes types of activities for continued collaboration.
• An in-depth strategic analysis describing existing collaborations between the countries, industry challenges and the research front. The analysis should be delivered together with the first progress report, 6 months after the project start.

The project application must report any risks and management measures regarding responsible internationalisation and research safety. The Swedish Research Council and Vinnova have, on behalf of the government , developed national guidelines for how Swedish organisations should take responsibility in international collaborations.

How the call for proposals contributes to Swedish Metals & Minerals objective

The global shift towards climate neutrality, increased resource efficiency and increased security of supply of strategic raw materials is driving a rapidly increasing demand for metals and minerals, while competition for resources is intensifying. As value chains are internationally integrated – from exploration and extraction to processing, materials development, manufacturing and recycling – actors in Sweden needs to be able to collaborate strategically with international partners.

Sweden has a strong position in the field, with advanced metal production, high innovative capacity and important geological resources. At the same time, crucial technologies, skills, research environments, test environments and markets are found in other countries. Access to the right partners can therefore be crucial for implementing complex innovation efforts, scaling up solutions and strengthening Swedish competitiveness.

Through organized and long-term collaborations, Swedish and international actors can build common agendas, pool expertise and position themselves in relevant international contexts. This strengthens the ability to, for example, contribute to and influence research and innovation efforts that are important for Swedish Metals and Minerals' mission: to enable a sustainable and resilient supply of metals and minerals for societal transformation.

The call for proposals will contribute to creating the conditions for the development of international collaborations by financing specific project that develop relationships, working methods and a basis for continued collaborations. There are currently no decisions about continued funding after the end of the project, but the projects' results are important for the program's future activities and efforts for international collaboration.

Impact Innovation – Sweden's major innovation initiative

This call for proposals is carried out within the framework of the Swedish Metals & Minerals program, part of Impact Innovation – an initiative of the Swedish Energy Agency, Formas and Vinnova.

Impact Innovation is Sweden's major innovation initiative to tackle the challenges of our time and the future. In collaborations between actors in private, public and non-profit organisations, Impact Innovation meets real technical and societal needs with groundbreaking solutions. On the way to a sustainable and competitive Sweden, attractive to live in for everyone. Together we show what is possible, and are ahead internationally.

Impact Innovation will contribute to sustainable transformation for global competitiveness and societal benefit in line with the UN's global sustainability goals, defined in Agenda 2030.

About Impact Innovation

The call for proposals targets actors from the entire metal and mineral value chain, from exploration and extraction to metal processing, recycling and foundry industries, who together want to establish long-term international collaborations.

Consortia that apply must consist of at least one Swedish research organization, one Swedish company and one foreign actor, which participants. The foreign actor cannot be part of the same group as any of the Swedish project partners. The foreign party cannot be granted funding from Vinnova and must therefore finance its participation in another way.

The activities shall aim to develop and strengthen relationships among existing parties and new potential partners, as well as investigative activities to deliver the data according to the expected results in section 2.

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Study visits, shorter exchanges and delegations that strengthen relationships and promote cooperation.
• Matchmaking or networking meetings between actors from different countries and sectors that clearly aim to strengthen and broaden collaborations.
• Development of joint agendas, strategies and plans for how cooperation can be deepened.
• Activities aimed at ensuring more long-term funding continued collaboration, for example mapping funding opportunities.
• Preparation of supporting documents as described in section 2.

This call for proposals does not finance:

• Research and development such as product development, technical testing, laboratory work, prototyping, technical development, etc.
• Costs directly related to application writing.
• Routine personnel exchanges, for example, an individual employee performing regular work tasks at another organisation without connection to strategic partnership development.
• Commercial activities or marketing.

What costs can Vinnova finance?

Vinnova's funding is covered by rules about state aid. The rules govern what types of costs can be financed. 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 costs.
• 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 not exceed 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 Vinnova can finance, see Instructions for eligible costs

Which eligibility requirements applies to costs financed by Vinnova?

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 on state aid govern how large a proportion of the costs Vinnova can finance. This is determined individually for each organisation. Vinnova therefore differentiates between how large a funding project can receive, and how much each participant organisation can receive.

How big funding can the project get?

Maximum funding per project is 1,300,000 SEK and maximum aid intensity is 70% of the total project cost.

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 which support can be given are simplified. For complete information, see Support grounds and levels for funding.

Support to universities, university colleges and other public organisations

In this the call for proposals Vinnova gives 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.

This support is not covered by the state aid rules. Vinnova can therefore finance up to 100 percent of such an organization's costs. The support is often called "not state aid."

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

A organisation that offers any form of service or product in a market is considered to be engaged in 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.

Whether a organisation engages in economic activities is determined by their regular activities, not by the activities in the project.

Some organisations conduct both economic and non-economic activitiesactivities, such as research institutes. In that case, it is important that you know in which of these activities you are applying.

If you are unsure whether a organisation in your project is conducting economic activities, contact call manager. However, The organisation is responsible for assessing whether it is conducting economic activities.

Support of minor importance to businesses

In this the call for proposals Vinnova can provide de minimis-support, also called support of minor importance. Vinnova can finance 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 before, 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 Vinnova to be able to grant this support.

Certificate of de minimis-support

In order for Vinnova to assess your proposal it must meet certain formal eligibility requirementsrequirements. If the requirements are not met, the proposal will be rejected immediately.

Eligibility requirements on participants

• All participants organisations must be legal entities. Individuals or sole proprietorships cannot participate.
• At least 3 participants must participate in the project. This includes the coordinating party. Different parts of a organisation are the same legal entity and are counted as one participant, for example two departments at a university.
• The coordinating party shall be a Swedish research organization and conduct activities in Sweden.
• At least one participant must be a Swedish company. A Swedish company also refers to a foreign legal entity that has a branch or establishment in Sweden, provided that the project costs arise in the branch or establishment.
• At least one participant must be a foreign actor. The foreign actor cannot be part of the same group as any of the Swedish project partners. The foreign party cannot be granted funding from Vinnova.

Eligibility requirements on the project

• The project may apply for a maximum of 1.3 million SEK and a maximum of 70 percent of the eligible costs.
• The project must start on November 18, 2026 and be completed no later than November 18, 2028.
• The project must not have started before you submit your proposal.

Eligibility requirements on proposal

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

Applications that meet the requirements will be forwarded to assessment. There, the size of your idea, how realistic it is and who will implement the project will be assessed.

Vinnova also looks at how well your project integrates gender equality, both in how your project group is composed and how you implement the project. By integrating sex and gender perspectives, more inclusive and relevant solutions are developed. This strengthens both the innovation capacity and the project's results.

Gender equality as a tool for innovative social development

What does Vinnova assess?

The assessment of applications is made according to three main criteria:

• Potential: What effects and what value can be expected from the project.
• Actors: The participants' competence and ability to implement the project and achieve the desired results and effects.
• Feasibility: How realistic and credible the project plan is, both for implementing the project and for achieving the desired results.

Potential

• How well the project proposal justifies that the chosen area and partner country are of strategic importance for Sweden.
• How much potential the project proposal has to lead to strengthened international collaborations that continue after the project ends.
• How much potential the collaboration will lead to concrete benefits for both Sweden and the partner country or countries.

Feasibility

• How well the activities lay the foundation for long-term cooperation and for participating in and influencing international contexts.
• How well the project plan and budget are assessed to be able to lead to the project's objective and deliverables, including expected results according to section 2.
• How credible is the project plan's risk analysis with regard to responsible internationalisation and action plan for these risks.
• How well the gender distribution in the project team and perspectives on sex and gender have been integrated into the project plan.

Actors

• How well the composition, participation, competence and ability of the actor constellation contribute to project objectives and implementation.
• How well the actor constellation reflects collaboration with countries and environments of high relevance to the Swedish metal and mineral industry's value chain.
• How well the project manager and other key people are assessed to be able to lead and implement the project.
• How well the financial contribution, participation, power and influence are distributed equally between women and men in the project team.

In addition to the quality of the applications assessed against the criteria, a portfolio perspective may be taken into account in the final selection. This means that, among the applications assessed as fundable, we can strive for a broad representation of, for example, different parts of the value chain and participating countries.

How are applications assessed?

Once Vinnova has received the applications, they will be reviewed. Applications that are incomplete or do not meet the requirements will be rejected.

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

Once the evaluators has reviewed the applications, the evaluators recommends which applications should be granted in an assessment meeting.

How does it affect an organization's financial status?

Innan Vinnova decides whether funding a comprehensive assessment of the organizational and financial status of those who receive fundingis also made.

Vinnova uses information from credit reports, currently from Dun & Bradstreet.

The assessment checks this:

• Organisations who are granted funding for salary costs must be registered as employers with the Swedish Tax Agency. If such registration does not exist when Vinnova makes a decision, you must be able to show that a notification has been made. Vinnova does not approve retroactive registration.
• Organisations must not be insolvent, or undergoing liquidation or corporate restructuring. They must also not have any significant unpaid debts with the Swedish Enforcement Authority.
• The project manager should be employed by a participant, preferably the coordinating party.
• Limited liability companies must not have used up half or more of their share capital.

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

Once Vinnova has assessed all applications, a decision will be sent in which your proposal application is either granted or rejected. Since applications are assessed competitively, you may be rejected even though you meet all eligibility requirements and criteria.

The decision states how large a proportion of the costs Vinnova will cover for each organisation.

You cannot appeal Vinnova's decision, but you are welcome to apply again at another time.

What happens if you are granted funding?

If your proposal is granted, you must follow both Vinnova's general terms and conditions for funding and the special conditions that apply to Impact Innovations calls for proposals.

Vinnova's general terms and conditions

The general terms and conditions include the following:

• 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 several 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 you submit your first progress report. Since it can take time to develop and negotiate an agreement, Vinnova recommends that you start with this as soon as possible.
• How the results will be used and that scientific publication will be open access so that the results are made freely available to everyone.

See our general terms and conditions.

Impact Innovations special conditions

Since the call for proposals is included in the Impact Innovation investment, these special conditionsalso apply:

• At least one participant will represent the project at Swedish Metals & Minerals conferences and activities, approximately once or twice a year. Your costs for such participation are eligible for support.
• You will have a continuous dialogue with Swedish Metals & Minerals' program office throughout the project.
• When information or results from the project is shared, it should be stated that the work was carried out within the Impact Innovation program Swedish Metals & Minerals, an initiative of the Swedish Energy Agency, Formas and Vinnova.
• When you submit your final report to Vinnova, you must also send a summary of the project results to Swedish Metals & Minerals. See template on Impact Innovations's website. The summary must be freely distributable and must not contain confidential or sensitive information.

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

• An appendix with an in-depth strategic analysis shall be attached to the first status report. The analysis shall be sent to the program office for Swedish Metals & Minerals at the same time. The environmental analysis shall describe existing collaborations between participating countries in the project, the challenges of the industry and the research front.

More information will be provided in connection with financing decisions.

Vinnova may also decide to add supplementary 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 Vinnova's term, you may be required to repay.

When the call for proposals closes, you will be registered as proposal. Vinnova 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 after the call for proposals closes, please contact Vinnova.

When the call for proposals is closed, you cannot change anything in proposal. Then you can only supplement if Vinnova asks for it.

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 Vinnova become public documents. This means that Vinnova must disclose them if requested. Men Vinnova classifies certain types of information as confidential if it can be assumed that disclosure would cause financial damage to the individual. This applies to information about business and operational conditions, inventions or research results.

Documents you send to Swedish Metals & Minerals are not covered by Vinnova's confidentiality regulations. Therefore, they should not contain confidential or sensitive information.

Public documents and confidentiality