Civilian innovations strengthen Sweden's defense - new funding decisions
The civilian sector is driving the development of groundbreaking technology that can be used to solve military and security-related challenges. Vinnova and the Swedish Armed Forces have this autumn decided on funding for three initiatives that will make civilian innovations available that can strengthen Swedish defense capabilities.
The civil-military innovation program is a government mandate and is run jointly by Vinnova and the Swedish Armed Forces, with support from the Swedish Defence Research Institute (FOI), the Swedish National Defence University (FHS) and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). The program aim to strengthen Sweden's defense capabilities and security by connecting military actors with civilian companies. At the same time, the program will strengthen business opportunities and competitiveness for Swedish companies.
– Through the civil-military innovation program, we connect civilian companies with defense actors to strengthen both Sweden's defense capability and the competitiveness of Swedish companies. Innovation and innovative capacity are not only about new technology, but also about how we manage processes, organize ourselves and, not least, how we implement new solutions, says Josefin van der Meer, program manager for the Civil-Military Innovation Program at Vinnova.
– We must increase the pace to solve the military challenges of today and tomorrow. This program contributes by highlighting Swedish companies with dual-use technologies, while simultaneously challenging our mindset and ways of working. Since the program launched in 2024, we have doubled the financial investment, and we are now deepening the collaboration with new military challenges, says Malin Ahlander, Deputy Head of the Development Department at the Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters Strategy Unit.
Projects receiving funding
During the fall of 2025, Vinnova and the Swedish Armed Forces have decided on funding within these three calls for proposals in the program:
- Needs-driven defense innovation for the transparent battlefield
- Collaborative project for civil-military synergies, stage 2
- Acceleration of civil-military innovations
Utlysningen Behovsdriven Defense Innovation for the Transparent Battlefield is aimed at project that can solve the challenge of today's battlefields becoming increasingly "transparent." It is extremely difficult today to hide your own troops and equipment from the enemy due to advanced technology and extensive information networks.
Utlysningen Samverkansprojekt for Civil-Military Synergies Stage 2 provides funding to further develop groundbreaking technology solutions that strengthen Swedish military capabilities and competitiveness. The projects involve actors from the defense sector and the civilian sector.
Read more about Utlysningen Samverkansprojekt for civil-military synergies stage 2 - (granted project are visible at the bottom of the page)
Utlysningen Acceleration of Civil-Military Innovations 2025 targets small and medium-sized companies with innovative civil technology solutions that have potential to be further developed to meet defense-related needs linked to NATO's priority technology areas. Companies that have received funding will participate in an accelerator program with a focus on supporting the development of a complementary business strategy aimed at the military and defense-related market.
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Last updated 17 December 2025