Frequently asked questions: Baltic Marine Watchdog Challenge

Vinnova is Sweden’s innovation agency. We enhance Sweden's and Europe’s competitive edge and capacity for innovation, paving the way for sustainable growth. Our funding opportunities and collaboration platforms enable innovation and systemic shifts. To succeed, we promote people and organisations that think in new and unconventional ways.   

Our goals in investing in challenges are:  

• To invest in bold ideas that address societal needs that might otherwise go unmet.   

• To accelerate innovation and the development of breakthrough technology.  

• To create conditions for new fields of technology and for companies to emerge, scale and become globally competitive.   

A challenge is designed to finance teams to develop, test and demonstrate bold new solutions. It is built around a clearly defined societal need for which  the solution is not yet known. The challenge defines what needs to be achieved, while leaving the approach open to participating teams.  

Several teams participate and develop solutions in parallel. The challenge takes place in stages. Progression between stages is based on demonstrated results, where participating teams show which solutions have what it takes to be a breakthrough innovation.  

No. However, you should ensure that your team covers all the skills and expertise required to address the Challenge successfully. It needs to be clear from the work plan that the tasks are manageable for the team.

Yes, project consortia may apply. The lead consortium partner must be clearly identified as Vinnova’s contracting partner and have its headquarters in the European Union, a member state of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), or the United Kingdom. International consortium members and collaboration partners based outside these regions are welcome. 

All costs incurred in pursuing the Challenge goal may be covered by Vinnova’s financing. The budget made available to each team is intended to cover the costs of research and development, material procurement, and any travel and accommodation costs that are incurred as part of the Challenge. This can include, for example, personnel costs, equipment and materials, and rent.

The budget provided to each team is intended to cover the duration of the Challenge. Teams should plan their resources accordingly to complete their project successfully. However, invoices relating to activities carried out during the Challenge or the relevant Challenge stage may be paid after the end of the Challenge or relevant stage, as applicable. No new activities may be undertaken, and no new purchases or financial commitments may be made after the end of the relevant period.  

Intellectual property rights in results created by the teams during the Challenge remain with the teams. Upon request, Vinnova is granted a royalty-free and non-exclusive right to use the results, in order to present, demonstrate and exhibit the results to the public through Vinnova’s events, reports, activities and publications. Details can be found in the Participation Agreement which will be published together with the Call for Submissions.