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This spring, a new call for proposals opens to start clusters of excellence
In the spring of 2026, the Swedish Research Council and Vinnova will jointly open a call for proposals to finance clusters that can make Sweden a world leader in groundbreaking technologies. The goal is for the clusters to have started their activities before the end of 2026.
The next call for proposals for clusters of excellence will be joint, and will fund clusters that are ready to start establishing their activities by the end of next year. The decision is a results of intensive internal work and discussions, feedback and insights from preparatory projects and actors in the innovation and research system.
– The autumn has been educational in many ways. We received a government assignment with a tight timeframe, but in recent months we have been able to stop, reflect and listen. Our meetings with existing project in the initiative, academia, industry and trade organisations have given us a number of insights. We have really taken advantage of the fellowship we have received, says Fredrik Weisner, programme manager for excellence clusters at Vinnova.
The internal work is an equally important piece of the puzzle, continues Emma Östmark, coordinator for engineering science at the Swedish Research Council.
– We have worked intensively together to see how we can benefit from Vinnova's and the Swedish Research Council's unique knowledge and skills, all to make it possible to have the most successful clusters possible. We believe that a common path forward where all parts of a cluster, from research to innovation, are clearly interconnected is the best thing for the initiative.
More information about the upcoming the call for proposals is expected in February 2026.
Schedule for 2026
February: Detailed information about the upcoming the call for proposals.
Spring: A joint call for proposals opens.
Before the summer (tentative): The call for proposals closes
End of the year: Kick-off for new clusters.
Note: At an event on December 16, it was announced that the call for proposals would close in the fall of 2026. This has been changed to tentatively before summer 2026.
Immerse yourself in the venture
On Vinnova's website about clusters of excellence, we publish the latest news, such as live broadcasts, news and events.
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Questions?
Fredrik Weisner
Strategic Area Leader Digital Transformation
Last updated 19 December 2025