Everyday food of the future - explore visionary ideas for sustainability and competitiveness

With this investment, Vinnova wants to contribute to increasing the level of innovation in the food system. The call for proposals is aimed at established companies that, in collaboration with others, want to test and develop innovative solutions. Solutions that are new to Sweden or even new to the world and markedly different from existing alternatives.

Project will make use of ideas for innovations that have high potential for sustainability and that contribute to competitiveness within the Swedish food system. The project takes place together with at least one other actor, with relevant competence to be able to test and develop the idea.

By supporting project where opportunities for ground-breaking or new solutions are explored and tested, insights and new capabilities are generated. It also strengthens opportunities for further innovation activities. All in all, in the long term, it can contribute to increased innovation in the food chain and increased sustainability and competitiveness within the food system.

The call for proposals offers funding for project with up to SEK 1 million per project. Expected project time for smaller project in this call for proposals is around 6 months. Maximum project time is 1 year.

Vinnova wants to contribute to a future where it goes without saying that we all eat healthy and sustainable food. We call it the everyday food of the future. We work for a sustainable, healthy and competitive food system. Such a food system needs a strong business community with readiness to provide us safely year after year. It also needs the ability to do so under the changed conditions that society is facing with challenges around the environment and climate, raw materials, energy, war, economy and diseases.

In order to change to a sustainable food system and to strengthen companies' competitiveness innovative capacity is central. In order to speed up the transition and for Swedish innovations to take place on the global market, more ground-breaking innovations are required. Innovations that deviate from and challenge the accepted way of producing, processing, selling or consuming food, for example.

There is potential to increase the level of innovation in Sweden. The study "Innovation in the food chain" shows that the degree of innovation in the food industry is high, but that the level of innovation is low compared to other industries in Sweden (Sweden Food Arena, 2021). With this investment, Vinnova wants to contribute to increasing the level of innovation in the food system. The call for proposals is aimed at established companies that, in collaboration with others, want to test and develop new innovative solutions. Solutions that are new for Sweden or even new for the world and that are markedly different from the existing ones. The solutions must contribute to a sustainable food system, where the three dimensions of sustainability - environmental, social and economic - can be addressed.

Innovations in food systems do not always have to lead to value creation and business opportunities for food operators. They can also meet needs and provide solutions in sectors other than food. At the same time, development and innovation in other sectors can be decisive in contributing to solutions in the food sector. Ideas from other industries that could be applied within the food system in new ways can be interesting.

What will happen in the projects?

• Possibilities for ground-breaking or new solutions are explored and tested.
• Ideas are developed that are not part of the regular development work.

What direct results do we see that project in the call for proposals leads to?

• That nascent innovative ideas with high risk are taken advantage of and further developed or tested.
• That there are clear decision-making bases, both about business opportunities and sustainability gains from innovations, to facilitate taking the next step.
• An increased ability of business in the food system to be able to implement innovation projects with a high level of innovation. For example, through experience and strengthened contact networks and access to cutting-edge expertise or ground-breaking technology.
• That the experiences from the project generate further innovation activities. It may be about additional investments in research and innovation or follow-up projects within, for example, the EU's framework program for research and innovation or Advanced digitalisation.

What effects do we see that the call for proposals can contribute to creating?

• Increased level of innovation in the food system. More established companies are developing solutions that are new to Sweden and even new to the world.
• That innovative development and application of the latest advances in research and advanced technology are utilized in the food system and strengthens Sweden's international competitiveness.
• Increased sustainability and competitiveness within the food system.
• A greater range of healthy food and a more healthy food consumption.
• Results from the projects contribute to building resilient food supply systems.
• The food industry sees to a greater extent the possibilities of research and innovation, becomes more driving, and demands this from universities, university college and research institutes.

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 and assesses is whether both women and men take part in the grant in an equal way, participate in and have influence over the project.

Another aspect involves analyzing and deciding whether there are gender or gender aspects that are relevant to the project's problem area, solutions and utilization. In this the call for proposals that aspect is also assessed.

Our work to contribute to the goals of Agenda 2030

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

The call for proposals is aimed at established companies with ideas for innovations that have high potential for the transition to a sustainable and healthy food system, and that contribute to competitiveness.

The project takes place through the active participation of the established company together with at least one other actor, with relevant competence to be able to test and develop the idea. See section 6 on eligibility requirements.

We see that competence from startups, universities, university colleges and research institutes can be important to succeed in achieving the expected results. See Section 2 for more information.

Established company refers to companies that are at least five years old and have at least five full-time employees. For detailed term see section 6 "Which basic requirements apply for us to assess your proposal?".

Activities for which funding can be applied for

The activities you seek funding for must be development activities.

It could be, for example, that:

• develop new knowledge
• explore new business models
• develop a first working prototype

It can also be about implementing:

• demonstration
• pilot work
• testing and validation of new solutions

The projects test possibilities that can lead to ground-breaking or new solutions with a high level of innovation.

By pioneering we mean that it deviates from and challenges the accepted way of producing, processing, selling or consuming food, for example.

That solutions are new and have a high level of innovation is characterized by the fact that they are new to Sweden or new to the world, and that they differ to a large extent from existing solutions.

The solutions must make a significant difference to a sustainable, healthy and competitive food system. In other words, it does not apply to incremental improvements, for example of a product range.

The call for proposals does not finance activities that involve routine or recurring changes to existing solutions or other ongoing activities. That is, activities that can be expected to be included in ordinary product or business development.

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 between how much funding the project can receive, and how much each participating participant can receive.

How much funding can the project receive?

Funding is granted with a maximum of SEK 1 million from Vinnova. The project duration is at most 1 year.

How much funding can a participant receive?

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

• which activities the project party must carry out in the project
• the project party's size and activities

In this the call for proposals we give state support to Experimental Development. In some cases, Industrial research may be relevant. The call for proposals can also provide state support in the form of De minimis support ( support of minor importance). In the call for proposals we can also provide support to organizations that do not carry out economic activities, i.e. Non-state support.

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

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

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

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 support for a maximum amount over a three-year period in this form of support, regardless of funder and project.

For maximum amount see Rules for funding

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 de minimis certificate

Not state aid

In this the call for proposals we can also provide support to organizations that do not carry out financial activities, i.e. Non-state support. 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.

How do you determine whether an organization carries out economic activities?

An organization that offers any kind of service or product on a market is considered to be conducting economic activities and cannot be granted this form of support. It does not matter how the organization 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 takes - that is, 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 an organization in your project carries out financial activities, contact call manager. However, the organization itself is responsible for assessing whether it carries out economic activities.

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 license 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.

Eligibility requirements at established company

• The company is a limited company with a Swedish corporate identity number and conducts economic activities in Sweden.
• The company has more than five full-time employees at the time of application on June 18. Full-time employee means a person who works full-time in the company. If two people work part-time in the company, this counts as one full-time employee.
• The company has submitted at least four annual reports to the Swedish Companies Registration Office.
• The company's most recently registered annual report must show that net turnover or equity corresponds to at least half of the requested amount.
• The company has no payment notes, such as a debt balance to the Swedish Enforcement Agency or other legal notes in its credit report.

Eligibility requirements for the project

• The project group must consist of at least two project parties, of which at least one is an established company.
• Project parties must be legal entities.
• Established company is coordinator for the project.
• The project manager must be an employee of or signatory to the coordinator and be named in proposal.

Eligibility requirements on proposal

• Proposal must be written in Swedish or English.
• Project description is attached and it does not exceed 12 pages, font Times New Roman 12 points. Designated template must be used.
• CVs for key personnel are attached. Designated template must be used.

Eligibility requirements on the grant recipient

• Funding is not granted to organizations that are insolvent or that are undergoing liquidation or company restructuring, or that have unpaid debts or payment notices with the Swedish Enforcement Agency.
• If the organization is a limited company, half or more of the share capital must not be used up.
• We take credit information on all applicant who are not public actors, and funding is not granted to organizations with the lowest credit rating C.
• An organization seeking funding for personnel costs must be registered as an employer with the Tax Agency at the latest when the grant decision is made.

What do we assess?

Kriteriet Potential weighs heaviest in the assessment. It is weighted in the combined assessment.

Potential

• The idea that the project tests has a high level of innovation, is new to Sweden or even to the world, or is of a pioneering nature.
• To what extent the project's idea can make a difference for different dimensions of sustainability, such as environment, climate, health, preparedness. As well as how it contributes to competitiveness within the food system.
• How well the project is judged to contribute to increased gender equality

Actors

• The project's credibility regarding the partners' mutual interest, commitment and participation. That the project is clearly in demand by participating established companies.
• That individuals in the project have the ability, competence and credibility required for the implementation of the project.
• How well composed the project team is in terms of gender distribution. As well as how well power and influence is distributed evenly between the sexes in the project team.

Feasibility

• The project results in the necessary basis for decisions on how the idea can be taken further.
• The project has the potential to create commitment and can lead to increased investments from more actors, that is, the project results in creating actual action further.
• The project's activities are clearly described and justified.
• The project plan is realistic in relation to the budget and objective.

How do we judge?

Each proposal is assessed and graded by at least three specially appointed evaluator who are experts with skills relevant to proposal. The assessment takes place in competition between received applications.

If applicant has an ongoing project at Vinnova, the applicant's capacity to participate in several project in parallel will also be assessed.

Vinnova's formal decision is based on the assessors' score and statements.

In addition to an individual assessment of each proposal, we strive in this the call for proposals to create a portfolio based on the directions of the granted projects, geographical distribution and composition of actors.

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. The basis for support appears in the decision and also governs which costs are eligible for support.

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 include this:

• That you must sign a special document in which you agree 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

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

• Project that have been granted funding must participate in activities linked to the call for proposals. Costs for such participation are an eligible cost.

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 too high an amount.

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.

Read more about documents and privacy