Strengthened Swedish aeronautical research and innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

Within aviation engineering research (NFFP), the opportunity is now offered to apply for funding for project that contribute to strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Swedish aviation engineering research, development and innovation. The aim is to increase their technical maturity and participation in Swedish and international research programs and to create opportunities for them to become suppliers to the Swedish or international aviation industry. Through small and medium-sized companies taking part in the competence of larger companies, institutes and universities, the ability and competence of the small and medium-sized companies will be strengthened.

We are looking for project with a high degree of originality and a high level of innovation that can strengthen and contribute to the development of the Swedish aviation industry linked to sustainable growth, both from a civil and dual-use perspective.

The projects must address issues related to aeronautics in a broad sense. For example, it can be about basic aviation technology and comprehensive capabilities, advanced structure and manufacturing methods for aircraft, intelligent on-board systems or propulsion technology.

For more information on priority areas see NRIA Flyg 2024

The call's budget covers approximately SEK 10 million and is planned to recur 1-2 times per year.

It is possible to apply for funding in three different project levels:

• LEVEL 1
  - Funding up to SEK 150,000 per project.
  - Project duration up to 6 months.
• LEVEL 2
  - Funding up to SEK 500,000 per project.
  - Project duration up to 12 months.
• LEVEL 3
  - Funding up to SEK 1,500,000 per project.
  - Project duration 12-18 months.

For the different project levels, different eligibility requirements are placed on SMEs' collaboration with others, see section 4. Larger companies cannot be beneficiary in this call for proposals.

Today and in the decades to come, the aviation sector is facing very big challenges. The primary civilian challenge is a climate-neutral air transport system. This places eligibility requirements on radically improved environmental performance of the technical systems. As a result of changes in our world around us, the next generation military aviation systems require completely different abilities and greater eligibility requirements on resilience than before. A well-functioning research program is of fundamental importance for the Swedish aviation sector's opportunities to solve the future challenges that exist at a high level of technology and that require a national competence supply.

Aviation engineering research (NFFP) is a government assignment that started in 1994. In May 2023, the eighth stage began. The mission's main aim is to, through increased cooperation, research, innovation and information dissemination, strengthen the Swedish aviation industry's competitiveness and create better conditions in the field of aeronautical technology. Funding is done jointly by Vinnova and the Armed Forces, with aim of promoting civil-military synergies within the Swedish innovation system.

Research and development within small and medium-sized companies is an important and contributing prerequisite for new innovations in the aviation field to reach the market.

The purpose of this call for proposals is to:

• Strengthen the development and innovative capacity of Swedish small and medium-sized companies.
• Create opportunities for small and medium-sized companies to, individually or in collaboration, develop their ideas and knowledge that can lead to new innovations in aviation technology.
• Create opportunities for small and medium-sized companies to become part of the supply chain to the international aviation industry, either individually or in collaboration.
• Give small and medium-sized companies the opportunity to take part in the knowledge and experience of larger companies or research institutes through collaborative projects.

Focus on climate and gender equality in all our investments

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.

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 aspects that are relevant to the project's problem area, solutions and utilization. This aspect is not the basis for assessment.

Our work to contribute to the goals of Agenda 2030

Equal innovation - what it means for you who seek funding from us

Scientific publications and results

Project results must be made as freely available as possible to everyone, and scientific publication should take place with open access.

aviation engineering research must contribute to collaborations that link industry, small and medium-sized companies, academia and research institutes, something that is of great importance for Sweden to be at the forefront of the aeronautical field.

The call for proposals is aimed at all small and medium-sized companies in the aviation area or those that need to strengthen their capabilities in order to expand into the aviation industry. Cooperation with the innovation environment, larger companies, research institutes, academia and university colleges must take place according to eligibility requirements for each project level, see section 4.

Larger companies cannot receive funding in this call for proposals but can participate as participant in collaboration with smaller companies.

Only actors with a branch or place of business in Sweden can receive funding.

Funding can be applied for project at three different levels, where the amount of funding and project time varies.

Level 1

Implementation of smaller project without eligibility requirements on collaboration or in collaboration with research institutes, academia or university colleges. The project must include at least one small or medium-sized company. The purpose of the Level-1 project is to explore and assess the technical feasibility and commercial potential of a ground-breaking innovation within its idea, concept or technology.

Examples of activities can be, for example:

• Engage personnel within arenas, institutes, academia and university college as discussion partners for help in developing and formulating new ideas and concepts or assessment of research needs.
• Obtain support from or collaborate with arenas, institutes, academies and university college for problem solving in, for example, basic materials development, concepts, modeling, manufacturing, construction and more.
• Conduct workshops or joint visits to create networks and direct contacts between SMEs and institutes, academia and university colleges. This is to develop cooperation towards, for example, a joint proposal for the EU's research program, or with suppliers of equipment, tools, measurement systems, etc., to solve the companies' challenges and ultimately create business opportunities.
• Conduct short demonstration and validation projects.

The project duration may be a maximum of 6 months.

Level 2

Multi-party project with eligibility requirements that at least one small or medium-sized company participates in the project. Other actors, such as larger companies, research institutes, academia or university colleges, may participate. However, large companies cannot be beneficiary.

Example of activities:

• Identify innovation and idea.
• Investigation and assessment of the technical feasibility of flight.
• Collect initial data for future research.
• Preliminary testing and analysis to observe relevant results and identify potential problems to solve.
• Prototyping, demonstration, pilot work, testing and validation of new or improved products, processes or services
• Testing or demonstration of a new manufacturing technique.
• Creation of new or improvement of existing products, processes or services. This may include conceptual definition and planning for new products, processes or services.

Please note that routine or recurring changes to existing goods, manufacturing methods, manufacturing processes, services or other ongoing operations cannot be financed. This applies even if these changes may mean improvements.

The project duration may not exceed 12 months.

Level 3

Multi-party project with eligibility requirements that at least one SME participates in the project. Other actors, such as larger companies, research institutes, academia or university colleges, may also participate. However, large companies cannot be beneficiary.

The purpose of this project level is to be able to take techniques further to a more advanced phase and develop the conditions for several suppliers in different or nearby technology areas to together form a supply chain for the aviation industry.

Possible activities within the project are the same as for level 2- project.

Project duration between 12 and 18 months.

Our funding is covered by rules on government support. The rules govern both what kind of costs and what proportion of the costs we can finance. This is determined for each organization individually. We therefore distinguish how much funding the project can receive, and how much each participating participant can receive.

How much funding can the project receive?

Maximum aid intensity per party is governed by the state aid rules.

• LEVEL 1
  Funding can be granted up to SEK 150,000 per project. There are no eligibility requirements for co-financing from applicant SME.
• LEVEL 2
  Funding can be granted up to SEK 500,000 per project. The level of support can be a maximum of 70 percent of the project's total costs. None of the companies may account for more than 70 percent of the total eligible project costs.
• LEVEL 3
  Funding can be granted up to SEK 1,500,000. The total support level for the project can amount to a maximum of 70 percent of the project's total eligible costs. None of the companies may account for more than 70 percent of the total eligible project costs.

How much funding can a participant receive?

How much funding each participating participant can receive mainly depends on:

• which activities the party will carry out in the project
• party size and activities.

Note that the support base is determined per participant. Several support bases can thus be used in one and the same project.

In this the call for proposals we provide support according to the following support criteria:

De minimis support ( support of minor importance)

In this the call for proposals we can also provide support of minor importance, also called de minimis support. 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 funder and project. This means that if the same organization has received support of less importance in other project from other funders, it affects how big the support can be in this the call for proposals.

To be granted this support, you need to submit a certificate of de-minimum support when you submit proposal.

Link to form for certificate of minor support

We grant funding in accordance with the EU Commission Regulation (2023/2831) on support of minor importance.

Research and development

In this the call for proposals we provide support for industrial research, experimental development and feasibility studies.

Industrial research can be simply described as seeking new knowledge through planned research or critical analysis in order to develop or significantly improve products, processes or services. For full definition, see Support bases and support levels for funding

Experimental development can be simply described as combining, shaping and using existing knowledge to produce new or improved products, processes or services. For full definition, see Support bases and support levels for funding

Feasibility studies can be simply described as an evaluation and analysis of:

• strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and risks in an upcoming research and development project.
• what resources are required to implement the project.
• how likely it is that the project will succeed.

For full definition, see Support bases and support levels for funding

What percentage of the costs we can finance - that is, the maximum level of support - depends on the size of the organization and the type of activity.

*Actual collaboration means a certain level of collaboration between small and large companies, between companies in two different European countries or between research organizations and companies.

Dissemination of results means extensive dissemination through, for example, conferences or open databases.

For full information on these bonus bases, see Support bases and support levels for funding

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

Model declaration (SMF certificate)

To be eligible for support as a small or medium-sized company, the company's size must be proven via a certificate attached to proposal, a so-called model declaration. See section 9 for more information. If a certificate is not attached, proposal will not be processed.

Not state aid

In this the call for proposals we also provide support to organizations that do not conduct economic activities. This generally includes universities and university colleges, research institutes and other organizations that do not offer a service or product on a market.

We can finance up to 100 percent of such organizations' costs.

What costs can we finance?

Our funding may only go to certain types of costs. 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 used under license from an external actor
• Other direct costs: For example materials, stock items 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

For more detailed information on which costs we can finance, see our instruction on eligible costs.

What eligibility requirements apply to costs we finance?

For a cost to be eligible, it must be necessary for the activities of the project. Project costs must also be properly accounted for and reported separately from the organization's other costs. An organization may also not take up someone else's costs as its own.

For more detailed information on which eligibility requirements, limitations and exceptions apply, see our instruction on eligible costs.

In order for us to take a position on and assess your proposal it must meet certain basic requirements - so-called formal eligibility requirements. If these eligibility requirements are not met, our evaluator will not handle your proposal.

Only applications that meet the following formal eligibility requirements will be assessed:

• The project must not have started before proposal is submitted.
• Proposal must be written in Swedish or English.
• All project parties must be legal entities.
• Beneficiary must have a branch or place of business in Sweden.
• Coordinator for the project must be an actor with activities in Sweden.
• Actor constellation and project requirements must be in accordance with the chosen project level.
• Proposal must be designed in accordance with section 9.

What do we assess?

Potential (Weighted 50 percent)

• In what way can the project have an impact on the ability of the project parties regarding increased knowledge, competence and technology to develop new products, services and processes.
• In what way and to what extent does the project generate value and new opportunities for both the SME company and other participating project parties?
• How are the project's potential effects addressed in terms of the expected results, their scope and significance?
• In what way does the project strengthen the SME company's strategic position and opportunity to become part of the international supply chain?

Actors (Weighted 25 percent)

• How convincingly is the ability of the project parties to implement the project and achieve the expected results described?
• How well is it described which skills, including sustainability skills, are required for the project to be successful?
• How well the project team is composed with respect to gender distribution, including the distribution of power and influence between women and men.

Feasibility (Weighted 25 percent)

• Does the project plan contain realistic objective in relation to budget, schedule and actors?
• How well have relevant sustainability perspectives been integrated into the project plan?
• How realistic and well thought out is the risk analysis and risk management plan considering the scope of the project?

How do we judge?

The assessment is based on the assessment criteria listed above and takes place in competition with other received applications for the call for proposals according to the following process:

• Proposal are made in Vinnova's e-services.
• All applications that meet the formal requirements are assessed by a group consisting of evaluatorspecially appointed and appointed by Vinnova, as well as by Vinnova's internal evaluator.
• Vinnova is responsible for the assessment process and makes decisions about which project are to be financed.

When we have assessed all applications, we will send a decision in which we either grant or reject your proposal. In the decision, we state how much funding each party in the project is granted. Our decision cannot be appealed.

What if you are granted funding?

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

• That you must sign a special document in which you undertake to carry out the project.
• That you must report your costs and results to us regularly during the project.
• That you, if you are several parties, must agree on what applies to the project in a project agreement.
• 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

We can also decide to add supplementary special conditions for individual project. In that case, they appear in the decision.

Can you have to pay back funding?

If you do not follow our term you may be liable for a refund. This also applies if you have been granted funding incorrectly or with an amount that is too high.

When your proposal has been registered, we send a confirmation to the person responsible for the user account as well as to the project manager and the signatory.

If you submit a proposal on the same day as the call for proposals closes, it may take a few hours before you receive a confirmation. If you have not received a confirmation within 24 hours after the call for proposals closes, please contact us.

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

Who can read your proposal?

Applications submitted to us become public documents. This means that we must disclose them if they are requested.

However, we keep confidential information that we believe could mean financial damage if disclosed, for example information about the business, inventions or research results.

This is how we handle public documents and confidentiality