Samverkan kring analysmetodik och dataflöden i batterivärdekedjan

With this the call for proposals Vinnova wants to strengthen Swedish capacity in analysis and measurement technology and related experimental and digital or virtual methods and tools. The aim is to enable a efficient and sustainable development and production of safe batteries with high performance, long life and design for circularity. The call for proposals is aimed at multidisciplinary and cross-sector constellations.

The stakeholder group must consist of at least six participants, of which at least three are research organizations and at least twocompanies. The coordinating project party needs to be a Swedish research organization.

We will grant a maximum of nine million SEK per project. No co-financing is required from the project constellation. The project duration may not exceed 30 months.

Sustainable batteries are a key technology for electrification and in the transition to a fossil-free society. Through this the call for proposals Vinnova wants to strengthen Swedish capacity in advanced and robust analysis or measurement technology and related experimental and digital or virtual methods and tools.

The lack of established and standardized analysis and testing methodologies and open databases makes it difficult to collect quality data and apply data-driven methods, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence. At the same time, the ability to collect and integrate robust data from multiple phenomena and conditions creates the conditions for faster development. It also facilitates the introduction of new battery materials, design solutions and cell concepts, optimization strategies around production parameters and fault detection, and robust condition models for predicting lifespan and safety during operation.

The project funded projects focus on the conditions for acquiring, connecting and exploiting battery data from multiple and heterogeneous sources - from atomic and micro-level to macroscopic properties, along the battery value chain from battery materials and components to battery cells, modules and integrated packs.

Performance target

• Developed and demonstrated ability to analyze and predict key mechanisms and processes that affect the development and production of safer and more sustainable batteries. Improved analysis methods and increased collaboration across disciplinary boundaries for strengthened innovation capacity and development in the battery field.

• New working methods and structures for long-term co-creation and mutual learning between actors from different sectors and disciplines/domains.
• Established connections and strengthened collaboration with relevant national and European research and innovation contexts where the project contributes to the further development and utilization of results.

• Strengthened connections between higher-resolution data generated in laboratory and test environments and data generated through sensors in production environments or operations.
• Dissemination and utilization materials, such as educational materials or open results that contribute to increasing competence and capacity outside the actor constellation.

Impact goals

• Methods and robust interfaces that ensure efficient and flexible technologies for process and production steps, assembly and disassembly, which also link measurement to control and automation.
• Data-driven traceability methods for recycling and reuse of systems, components and materials for a resilient and sustainable battery value chain.
• Experimental, model-based and digital or virtual methods and tools are being developed in a more integrated manner across scales.
• The relevance, visibility and attractiveness of Swedish actors in international contexts have increased.

• Competitive Swedish battery research contributes to innovation, technological development and industrial renewal.

Just as for an innovative battery value chain in general, this is considered to require perspectives and abilities from different scientific disciplines and technical fields. Bringing in method-related expertise from already completed or ongoing efforts is welcomed.

To the extent that data collection methods, analysis tools, software are developed, this is done in line with the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). Since this the call for proposals should contribute to making results available to everyone, all scientific publishing should be open access. When results from research and innovation are made freely available, more people can contribute to solving societal challenges.

Vinnova is tasked with promoting sustainable growth and system transformation. We are based on the UN's global sustainability goals, defined in Agenda 2030.

An innovative force in a sustainable world

The call for proposals is aimed at multidisciplinary and cross-sector constellations of organisations (legal entities) who share the ambition to promote Swedish capacity in advanced analysis/measurement technology and related digital methods and tools. Constellations will also contribute to long-term cross-domain working methods and structure for joint knowledge production and making technological advances accessible.

The stakeholder group shall consist of at least six participants, of which at least three are research organizations and at least twocompanies. Coordinator shall be a Swedish state-funded organisation, for example a university, university college or research institute that can also make the project's resultsavailable in the long term, after the end of the project.

Grantees are expected to have access to relevant requirements specifications/requirements, battery data, analysis, measurement and test infrastructure for the issues being addressed.

The expectations for the type of companies participating, as well as their role and level of involvement, are determined by the focus of the project proposal. The same applies to access to real battery data, experimental and digital analysis tools and environments and for development, testing and validation,

Participation from foreign actors is encouraged but only Swedish participants have the opportunity to receive support from Vinnova. Foreign organisations with a branch or establishment in Sweden can receive funding for project costs attributable to the branch or establishment's activities.

In line with the description in sections 2 and 3, the project activities and deliverables are expected to concern both methodological advances and conditions for co-creation between actors from different sectors and disciplines.

Examples of activities that are not funded are:

• development or production of new battery technologies.
• production of data in aim to build and make databases available in themselves.
• development of commercial hardware or software or solutions, equipment, etc. that benefit individuals actors, regardless of whether these are included as participants or not.

What costs can we finance?

Our funding is subject to rules about state aid. The rules govern what types of costs we can finance. 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.
• Equipment, land and buildings: Costs for instruments, equipment and rent for premises other than regular business premises.
• 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.
  In case of special needs, for example if the project requires specialist expertise, we can accept a higher percentage. You must then justify this in your proposal, and the justification will be taken into account in our assessment.
• 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 we can finance, see Instructions for eligible costs.

Which eligibility requirements apply to costs we finance?

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 posted 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 about state aid govern how large a proportion of the costs we can finance. This is determined individually for each organisation. We therefore differentiate between how large a funding project can get, and how much a participant organisation can get.

How big funding can the project get?

Funding will be granted with a maximum of 9 million SEK per project.

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 what support we can provide are simplified. For complete information, see Support bases and support levels for funding.

Support to companies for research and development

In this the call for proposals we give support to industrial research and experimental development.

Industrial research can be simply described as seeking new knowledge through planned research or critical analysis. This is 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.

How much of the costs can we finance?

The organisation's The size and type of activity determines how large a proportion of the costs we can finance. This is called the maximum support level.

Maximum aid intensity for industrial research:

• Small business 70%
• Medium-sized company 60%
• Large company 50%

Maximum aid intensity for experimental development:

• Small business 45%
• Medium-sized company 35%
• Large company 25%

Situations where we finance a higher proportion

If the project is covered by any of these bonus bases, we can finance a higher proportion of the costs.

• Actual collaboration: Some level of collaboration 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.
• Other bonus basis.

Maximum aid intensity for industrial research with bonus basis:

• Small business 80%
• Medium-sized company 75%
• Large company 65%

Maximum aid intensity for experimental development with bonus basis:

• Small business 60%
• Medium-sized company 50%
• Large company 40%

Support to universities, university colleges and other public organisations

We give 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 state aid rules. We 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 conducting 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.

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

Eligibility requirements on the consortium's composition and organizational form at participants

• The applicant consortium must contain at least sixparticipants, including the coordinating project party. Of these, at least threemust be Swedish research organisations (universities, university college or research institutes) and at least two companies with activities in Sweden. Different workplaces or workplaces in a organisation, for example different departments at a university, are counted as one participant as they constitute one and the same legal entity.
• All participants must be legal entities. Individuals or sole proprietorships cannot participate.
• The coordinating party must be a Swedish research organization (university, university college or research institute)
• Organisations who is looking for funding should be Swedish.
  Foreign legal entities can only apply funding if they have a branch or establishment in Sweden and the costs arise at the branch or establishment.

Eligibility requirements on the project

• The project may apply for a maximum of 9 million SEK.
• Project start no later than November 20, 2026 and implementation time maximum 30 months.
• The project may not be started before submission proposal.

Eligibility requirements on proposal

• Proposal should be written in Swedish or English. Please note, however, that proposal may be assessed by international evaluator who are not Swedish speakers. If proposal is written in Swedish, it will be translated without your participation.
• Proposal must follow the instructions under heading 9. “How to apply” and include all requested attachments.

Applications that meet our eligibility requirements criteria will be forwarded to assessment. In the assessment, we look at how big potential your idea is, how realistic it is and who will implement the project.

We also look 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 do we assess?

What is assessed is the degree to which the project proposals meet the three main criteria Potential, Feasibility and Actors.

Potential

• The project proposal's potential aims to contribute to Swedish methodological capacity to generate, manage and utilize complex measurement data in line with the call's objectives and aim as described in sections 2-4.
• How well the project proposal relates to existing knowledge and ongoing efforts within various consortium formations at national and EU level.
• The project proposal's potential aims to address industrially relevant issues and accelerate innovation and implementation of sustainable battery solutions in line with the Agenda 2030 goals.
• How well the project proposal justifies how technical results can be made relevant in relation to the state of knowledge at least at a European level. Where relevant, it is reported how funding is done to open platforms, or to ongoing development work on standardized analysis and test methodology, open databases, or related structures.
• The project proposal's potential aims to contribute to structured collaboration with clear learning processes, working methods and structures for mutual learning.
• The project proposal's potential aims to establish/strengthen structures for long-term cross-domain and cross-sector competence building with international brilliance.

Actors

How well the composition of the project partners, such as competencies, role in the project and scope of participation, ensures implementation and goal achievement, including:

• access to industrially relevant problems
• renewal or broadened collaboration in joint project consortia
• conditions for methodological progress to be made
• conditions for results to be taken forward and made available after the end of the project
• participation and engagement in learning structures
• international connectivity and relevance in related contexts

How well the project proposal describes and justifies the parties' commitment in relation to:

• balance of participation between those organisations seeking funding
• forms of collaboration, with integration of different skills and perspectives for both key people and other resources among the project partners.

How well the financial contribution, participation, power and influence are distributed equally between women and men in the project team, as well as the project's ambition and plan for addressing any imbalances.

If consulting services are used: How well the need for these is justified. This is especially true if an organization's budget includes more than 20 percent consulting and licensing costs.

Feasibility

To what extent does the project plan's time and activity plan:

• contains clear objective and deliverables that respond to the project's questions, including what characterizes a successful project
• are trackable and can be achieved through the implementation of the project.
• is logical and reasonable given the available resources
• addresses relevant perspectives on sex and gender
• presents a relevant and credible risk analysis, as well as an action plan for how identified risks are managed

How well the proposal describes and justifies the next step after the end of the project, including how the project plans to adapt the deliverables in relation to those organisations (within or outside the current project consortium) who are expected to take this step.

How do we assess?

Once we receive the applications, we review them. We screen out any applications that are incomplete or do not meet our eligibility requirements.

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

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

How does it affect an organization's financial status?

Before we decide on funding we also make a comprehensive assessment of the organizational and financial status of those who receive funding.

We use information we receive from credit reports, currently from Dun & Bradstreet.

In our assessment we check this:

• Organisations who are granted funding for salary costs must be registered as an employer with the Swedish Tax Agency. If such registration does not exist when we make a decision, you must be able to show that a notification has been made. We do 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.

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

Once we have assessed all applications, we will send you a decision either granting or rejecting your proposal. Since applications are assessed competitively, you may be rejected even though you meet all eligibility requirements and criteria.

In the decision, we state how large a proportion of the costs we cover for each organisation.

You cannot appeal our decision, but you are welcome to apply to us again at another time.

What happens if you are granted funding?

If we grant you proposal you must follow our 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 achievements to us during the project period.
• If you are multiple 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, we recommend that you start 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

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

• The parties from the granted project are expected to attend a physical seminar in autumn 2027/spring 2028 where the projects' directions and progress are presented.

We may also decide to add additional 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 our term, you may be liable for repayment.

When the call for proposals closes, your proposal will be registered as. We 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 us.

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

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 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.

General documents and confidentiality