Strengthening Swedish aerospace research and innovation through international collaboration - 2026

Within the Nationella Flygtekniska Forskningsprogrammet (NFFP) the opportunity is now offered to apply for funding for project that contribute to strengthening Swedish aerospace research and innovation through international collaboration. The purpose of the call for proposals is to increase Sweden's ability to actively participate in international collaborations in the aerospace field with a focus on research, innovation, development and technology, and to position Swedish actors in relevant international contexts in the long term.

The call for proposals is aimed at companies that, individually or in collaboration with other actors have potential to establish or strengthen existing international collaborations in the aviation sector. Only actors with a branch or operating location in Sweden can receive funding.

We are looking for project with a high degree of originality and innovation that can strengthen Swedish aerospace research and innovation through in-depth international collaboration. The projects will contribute to further developing Swedish competence in aerospace through knowledge exchange, joint development and access to international research and innovation environments.

The preliminary budget of the call is approximately SEK 20 million, where funding can be applied for at three different project levels, read more in section 4.

The initiative aims to strengthen Sweden's competitiveness, innovative capacity and international positioning in the aeronautical field. International strategic collaborations are crucial to meeting challenges in the aeronautical field, where Sveriges Nato-inträde creates new opportunities for technical integration and deeper cooperation with other member states. The call for proposals is expected to contribute to Sweden taking a more active and strategic role in global research and innovation contexts, both by strengthening Swedish presence in established international partnerships, and by developing new partnerships where there is a need.

To achieve this the offer focuses on supporting Swedish aviation actors' international collaboration. This includes, among other things, the opportunity to participate in bilateral and multilateral research, innovation and technology collaborations, as well as building new or deepened contacts with strategically important countries and programme.

Project financed through the initiative are expected to create the conditions for a competitive, long-term sustainable and internationally integrated Swedish aerospace ecosystem. Through increased international connections and knowledge transfer, Swedish actors' opportunities to participate in future development initiatives and to highlight Sweden's position internationally in the aerospace field in the long term are strengthened.

The call for proposals is carried out within the framework of the Aviation engineering research (NFFP) whose main mission is to strengthen the competitiveness of the Swedish aviation industry through research, innovation and collaboration, including international cooperation.

Read more about the government mission NFFP, and its aim to strengthen aerospace research, development and innovation

Depending on the chosen project level, project funded under this call for proposals are expected to contribute to one or more of the following target areas:

International collaboration and preparations for participating in international collaborations

Project that strengthens Sweden's ability to actively participate in and benefit from international research, innovation and technology collaborations. Strategic collaborations with internationally relevant partner countries and organisations will contribute to long-term opportunities for business, export, technology dissemination and innovation development.

Strengthening conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises

Project that strengthens innovative capacity of SMEs and their capacity to act as strategic and competitive subcontractors or independent technology suppliers within the aeronautical ecosystem. In the long term, this will also increase their ability to qualify for participation in larger national and international demonstrator projects.

Technologies for energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact

Project that develops technical solutions with significantly improved environmental performance and that can contribute to the transition towards a climate-neutral air transport system. Key areas include electrification, lightweight technology and energy-efficient systems that need to be further developed, scaled up and integrated into future aeronautical applications. These technologies are important both for achieving climate goals in civil aviation and for defense applications where energy efficiency, endurance and performance are crucial.

Skills supply and long-term innovative capacity

Project that contributes to increased access to cutting-edge expertise in strategic technology areas and that, through collaboration between industry and academia, contributes to long-term competence supply for both civilian and military needs.

Contribute to a sustainable system transformation

Vinnova is tasked with promoting sustainable growth and system transformation. Therefore, project funded within this call for proposals should also contribute to increased gender equality and climate transition. Vinnova is based on the UN's global sustainability goals, defined in the 2030 Agenda. There, Vinnova focuses on two perspectives: gender equality and climate transition.

This means that gender equality and climate change should be integrated into both how your project group is composed and in the intended outcome of your project.

Equal funding of innovations

An innovative force in a sustainable world

Making scientific publications and results available

This the call for proposals will also help to make results available to everyone if possible. Therefore, all possible scientific publications should be open access. When results from research and innovation are made freely available, more people can contribute to solving societal challenges.

The call for proposals is aimed at actors in the aviation sector who need to strengthen their competence, innovative capacity and international collaboration capacity. The target group is organisations that have potential to participate in international innovation, development and technology collaborations, or that need to develop this capacity through in-depth collaboration with international partners.

Both small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large companies can apply, either individually or in collaboration with other actors, such as other companies, universities, university colleges or research institutes. Consortia should be appropriately composed and include relevant project partners that together can strengthen the competitiveness of the value chain. Collaboration between technology suppliers, product end-users and research environments is encouraged to ensure practical and applied development.

Collaboration must take place according to eligibility requirements for each project level, see section 4.

Only actors with a branch or establishment in Sweden can receive funding.

NFFP will contribute to Sweden's ability to be a leading technology nation in the aviation field. With long-term international collaborations in research and development that link companies, academia and research institutes, Sweden can continue to be at the forefront and secure its international competitiveness for future aviation technology capabilities.

The call for proposals covers technologies and system solutions within relevant application areas within aeronautics. Examples of relevant technology areas may include:

• System and vehicle development, including model-based development, system integration and overall evaluation for both manned and unmanned aircraft systems.
• Propulsion and energy systems, such as electrification, power generation, energy management and integrated systems design.
• Intelligent and autonomous systems, where sensors, AI, automation and control systems are developed for future aircraft in future airspace.
• Structural and Production Engineering, with a focus on lightweight materials, composites and scalable, cost-effective manufacturing solutions.

An effort on three levels

To meet different needs and ambition levels funding can be sought at three levels – from collaborative preparatory project to project with established international collaboration. The size of funding and type of activities vary depending on the chosen project level.

All project funded must meet the call's aim and objective, according to section 2.

Please note that routine or recurring changes to existing goods, manufacturing methods, manufacturing processes, services or pure product or service development are not covered by the funding.

Level 1: Preparatory international collaboration

This level is aimed at actors who need to develop their capacity to initiate, design or plan innovation projects in collaboration with international partners.

The purpose of project at this level is to identify relevant international actors to jointly explore and assess the technical feasibility and commercial potential of their idea, concept, innovation or technology.

Maximum funding:SEK 500,000 per project

Maximum aid intensity per project: 80%

Project duration: Up to 6 months

Target group:At least one small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) must be included. Project can be carried out individually or in collaboration with other companies, universities, university colleges or research institutes.

Examples of activities for which funding can be applied for:

• Mapping and analysis of relevant international partners.
• Feasibility studies and technical or needs-related analysis linked to the project idea.
• Initial market or utility assessments to value international potential.
• Workshops, meetings and visits to establish collaboration and common development paths with aim of creating innovative solutions and business opportunities for Swedish companies.
• Development of joint project planning and documentation for future international research and innovation applications.
• Analysis of technical, regulatory or certification requirements in international environments.
• Coordination efforts to structure future international research and innovation projects, including initial agreements.

Level 2: Introductory or in-depth international collaboration

This level is aimed at actors who have the capacity to initiate or deepen an identified collaboration with international actors.

The purpose of project at this level is to initiate or deepen concrete international research and innovation collaboration through joint development, verification and knowledge expansion.

Maximum funding:1 million SEK per project

Maximum aid intensity per project: 50%

Project duration: Up to 12 months

Target group:Consortia where at least one company participates. It is an eligibility requirements that the participating company has a documented identified international partner with a connection to the project. A declaration of intent in the form of a Letter of Intent/Interest (LoI) from the international actor must be attached to proposal to prove this.

Project at this level refer to multi-party projects with eligibility requirements for collaboration. Collaboration can take place with other companies, universities, university colleges or research institutes. Collaboration between different types of actors is encouraged, where technology suppliers, end users, research environments as well as small and medium-sized enterprises can play an important role and contribute with niche expertise, flexibility and innovation.

Examples of activities for which funding can be applied for:

• Verification, testing or evaluation in the relevant development environment, including the production of Proof-of-Concept or laboratory-based prototypes.
• Implementation of joint technical studies, knowledge exchange and competence-enhancing initiatives between Swedish actors and international research environments.
• Initial design, integration or adaptation of technical subsystems for later demonstrator deployments.
• Shorter demonstration or validation activities that confirm function or performance on a limited scale.
• Preparation for participation in larger demonstrator projects, including technical documentation, test plans or partnership structures.

Level 3: Established international collaboration

This level is aimed at actors who have the capacity to carry out advanced technology development in close collaboration with an international partner. The focus is on project where the international actor contributes new technology, access to test or demonstration environments, or acts as a potential customer or development partner.

The purpose of project at this level is to advance technology development to a more advanced phase through joint development, testing or demonstration in collaboration with international actors.

Maximum funding:3 million SEK per project

Maximum aid intensity per project: 50%

Project duration: Up to 24 months

Target group:Consortia where at least one company participates. It is an eligibility requirements that the participating company has a documented identified international partner with a connection to the project. A declaration of intent in the form of a Letter of Intent/Interest (LoI) from the international actor must be attached to proposal to prove this.

Project at this level refer to multi-party projects with eligibility requirements for collaboration. Collaboration can take place with other companies, universities, university colleges or research institutes. Collaboration between different types of actors is encouraged, where technology suppliers, end users, research environments as well as small and medium-sized enterprises can play an important role and contribute with niche expertise, flexibility and innovation.

The projects must have a clear international collaboration structure and a strong connection to bilateral or trilateral collaborations or relevant international initiatives, such as Clean Aviation, SESAR 3, NATO-STO or EDF.

Examples of activities for which funding can be applied for:

• Joint advanced technology development in close collaboration with international players.
• Integration of components, subsystems or technologies into larger systems or architectures.
• Testing, validation and demonstration in relevant or operational environment.
• Implementation of demonstration activities on a larger scale than for Level 2.
• Creation and further development of prototypes.
• Adaptation of technology for integration with international systems or platforms.
• Further design and development of complex test plans, verification strategies and experimental designs.
• In-depth exchange of data, test results or specialist expertise with international partners.
• Interoperability analyses, requirements validation and other technical activities that strengthen the possibility of future business, partnerships or participation in larger demonstrator projects.

What costs can we finance?

Vinnova's funding is covered by state aid rules. The rules govern what types of costs Vinnova can finance. These are called eligible costs.

In this the call for proposals, these types of costs are eligible:

• Personnel costs: Salary costs, including employer contributions and other salary-related 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 licensed from a third party. Costs for consulting services may not exceed 20 percent of a project party's budget.
• Other direct costs: For example, materials, supplies and travel necessary to carry out the project.
• Indirect costs (overhead):Costs that are not incurred as a direct result 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. Universities, university colleges and certain research organizations and government agencies have higher maximum limits depending on the type of activities.

For more detailed information about which costs we can finance, see Instructions for eligible costs.

What eligibility requirements apply to costs we finance?

For a cost to be eligible, it must be:

• necessary for the activities in the project
• accounted for correctly and separately from the organisation's other costs.

An organisation may also not claim someone else's costs as its own.

For more detailed information about which eligibility requirements, limitations and exceptions apply, see Instructions for eligible costs.

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

How much funding can the project receive?

Maximum funding per project is determined based on the application's selected project level. Funding is offered in three different project levels, as shown below:

Level 1

Maximum funding:SEK 500,000 per project

Maximum aid intensity per project: 80%

Level 2

Maximum funding: 1 million SEK per project

Maximum aid intensity per project: 50%

Level 3

Maximum funding:3 million SEK per project

Maximum aid intensity per project: 50%

How much funding can a participant receive?

How much funding each participant can receive depends mainly on:

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

Descriptions in the following sections about what support Vinnova can provide are simplified. For full information, see Funding grounds and levels of support for funding.

Support for start-ups – GBER Article 22

In this the call for proposals Vinnova provides support to start-up companies. Vinnova can finance up to 100 percent of the company's project costs.

A start-up company means a company that:

• has fewer than 50 employees
• is not listed on the stock exchange
• not yet distributed profit
• was registered, started its activities or became liable to pay taxes less than five years ago
• has not taken over another company's activities, acquired or formed through a merger.

Support for companies conducting research and development – GBER Article 25

In this the call for proposals Vinnova provides 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 to develop or significantly improve products, processes or services.

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 an evaluation and analysis of:

• 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 size and type of activity determine how large a proportion of the costs Vinnova can finance, i.e. the maximum level of support.

Situations where we finance a higher proportion

If the project is covered by any of these bonus bases, Vinnova 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.
• Another bonus basis.

Minor Support for businesses

In this the call for proposals Vinnova can also provide de minimis support, also called support of minor importance. Vinnova can finance up to 100 percent of a project party's costs.

An 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 will affect 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

Support for non-economic activities

In this the call for proposals Vinnova also provides support to organisations that do not conduct economic activities. This means that the organisation does not offer a service or product on a market. This usually includes universities and university colleges, research institutes and other organisations.

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

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

An organisation 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 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 an organisation in your project is conducting economic activities, contact call manager. However, The organisation is responsible for assessing whether it is conducting economic activities.

In order for Vinnova to assess your proposal it must meet the formal eligibility requirements below by at the latest when the call closes 2026-03-17. If the requirements are not met, proposal will be rejected immediately and will not proceed to assessment.

Eligibility requirements for project parties

• All project partners must be legal entities. Natural persons or individual companies cannot participate as project partners.
• The coordinating party must be a Swedish legal entity and conduct activities in Sweden.
• Beneficiary must have a branch or place of business in Sweden.

Eligibility requirements for the project

• The project manager must be employed by the coordinating party in the project.
• The project may not begin before proposal is submitted.
• Costs for consulting services may constitute a maximum of 20 percent of a project party's budget.
• The project must meet the eligibility requirements that apply to funding applied for, aid intensity, project duration and target group under the selected project level (1-3), see section 4. For applications at Level 2 and 3, an eligibility requirements is to present a Letter of Interest/Intent, LoI, from an identified international partner.

Eligibility requirements on proposal

• Proposal must be written in Swedish or English.
• Proposal must be completely completed and contain sufficient information to enable assessment against the call's assessment criteria.
• Proposal must follow the instructions given in section 9.
• Proposal must contain all requested attachments in the correct format.

Applications that meet Vinnova's eligibility requirements will proceed to assessment. In the assessment, Vinnova looks at how much potential your idea has, how realistic it is and who will implement the project.

What do we assess?

Applications are assessed according to three main criteria:

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

Eftersom Vinnova is tasked with contributing to increased gender equality and climate change, and we always follow up and assess these perspectives.

Potential

• How great potential the project proposal has to achieve the call's objective and aim through international collaboration.
• How innovative the project proposal is in relation to existing solutions or ongoing major initiatives in the area, such as international research and innovation initiatives or programme.
• How credible the project proposal's analysis is of the problem and the results that the proposed solution is expected to achieve.
• How likely it is that the project proposal will lead to new knowledge and new skills that can be used for further development and implementation to strengthen Sweden's position in international contexts.
• How well perspectives on climate change have been integrated into the project proposal, and what significance these have for the project's results.

Actors

• How well the composition, participation, competence and ability of the actor constellation contribute to project objectives and implementation, to the establishment or deepening of international collaboration.
• To what extent does the project proposal and the constellation of actors build on previous experiences, networks, activities or results in international contexts?
• 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 in an equal manner in the project team.

Feasibility

• How realistic, well-structured and feasible the project plan and budget are in relation to objective, method, activities, schedule, in order to realize a solution in accordance with the project proposal and the chosen project level.
• How credible the project plan's risk analysis and action plan for these risks are.
• How well the project plan shows how the results will be anchored and disseminated to relevant actors in the area.
• How good are the conditions for the project's expected results to be taken forward and implemented after the end of the project, including in collaboration with international partners.

How do we assess?

Vinnova reviews all applications that have been received. Vinnova sorts out all applications that are incomplete or that do not meet the formal eligibility requirements stated in section 6.

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

The evaluators evaluate the quality and relevance of the applications based on the call's assessment criteria.

After the evaluators have reviewed the applications, an assessment meeting is held where the evaluators recommend which applications should be granted.

Vinnova makes a formal decision on rejection or approval, based on the assessors' overall recommendation, and after collaboration with the Armed Forces.

Vinnova reserves the right to apply a portfolio strategy in the selection of applications for granting.

How does it affect an organization's financial status?

Innan Vinnova decides on funding, Vinnova also makes a comprehensive assessment of the organizational and financial status of those who receive funding. Vinnova uses information that Vinnova receives from credit information, currently from Dun & Bradstreet.

In order for Vinnova to grant funding the following applies:

• Organisations seeking funding for personnel costs must be registered as employers with the Swedish Tax Agency.
• 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.
• Organisations may not cover project costs in this the call for proposals with public funding or own funds intended for other project.
• Limited liability companies must not have used up half or more of their share capital.
• Om Vinnova requests, small and medium-sized companies must be able to demonstrate that they have the financial means to implement the project according to their budget in proposal.

When all applications have been assessed, Vinnova will send a decision where Vinnova either grants or rejects your proposal. Since the applications are assessed in competition, you may be rejected even though you meet all eligibility requirements and criteria.

In the decision, Vinnova states how large a proportion of the costs will be covered for each organisation.

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

What happens if you are granted funding?

Om Vinnova grants your proposal, you must follow Vinnova's 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 achieved results to us regularly during the project period.
• If you are multiple parties, you must agree on your mutual rights and obligations in the project in an agreement. It can take time to get a project agreement in place, so it is a good idea to get this in place before the project starts.
• How scientific publishing should 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:

• In information about the project and in each publication of project results, it must be stated that the work was carried out with support from Vinnova and the Swedish Armed Forces within the Aviation engineering research (NFFP). In English, Vinnova is represented by the name Sweden´s Innovation Agency and the Swedish Armed Forces by Swedish Armed Forces. Publication refers to, for example, publication, regardless of medium, and oral presentations.
• The project must be represented at the seminars or program conferences that Vinnova will organize during the project period. Costs for participation in such a seminar or program conference are eligible costs.

Vinnova may also decide to add supplementary special conditions for individual project. In that case, they are 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, your proposal will be registered as. 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 of the call for proposals closing, please contact Vinnova.

Once the call for proposals has closed, you cannot change anything in proposal. You can only make additions if Vinnova asks for it.

Who can read your proposal?

Your proposal will be read by Vinnova employees and the external evaluator participating 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.

How we handle public documents and confidentiality