Nationella flygtekniska forskningsprogrammets demonstratorutlysning

Within the framework of the Aviation engineering research (NFFP), funding is offered for project that strengthen the competitiveness and supply capacity of the Swedish aviation industry. The investment focuses on technology verification in demonstrator projects – a crucial phase for new technology to be able to demonstrate functionality, safety and performance in real environments and thereby enable future business and industrial application.

The call for proposals aims to accelerate the development of technologies with viability in relevant application areas and that can contribute to a more sustainable, robust and internationally integrated Swedish aerospace ecosystem. The projects are expected to contribute to industrial growth, strengthened defense capabilities, increased exports and a climate-neutral air transport system.

The call for proposals is aimed at actors in the aviation sector who have potential or ability to participate in national or international demonstrator programs.

Funding can be applied for within three project levels, adapted to the project's maturity, scope and form of collaboration - from early technology development in small and medium-sized companies to larger system demonstrators with international collaboration.

The total budget of the call is approximately SEK 250 million. Project duration, maximum project grant, activities and eligibility requirements for consortium composition vary depending on the selected project level.

To strengthen Sweden's competitiveness and defense capability in aeronautics and contribute to a sustainable transformation of the aviation sector, this offer focuses on supporting technology development, verification and internationalisation of aeronautics in the strategically important demonstration phase.

Technology verification in demonstrator projects is a crucial phase in the development of new aeronautical products and systems. Demonstrating a product is often resource-intensive but necessary to show that it is safe, competitive and ready for future product development.

Read more about the concept of demonstrator in NRIA Flyg 2024

The offer is an effort within the framework of Aviation engineering research (NFFP).

Through this offer, NFFP wants to contribute to enabling the critical demonstrator phase and thereby promote the development of critical technologies that can strengthen Sweden's position as a leading and competitive player in the aviation sector.

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

In the short term, the project funded under the call for proposals are expected to result in the implementation of pilot projects and prototype tests that provide concrete and measurable feedback on the functionality and performance of the solutions in real environments. In the longer term, the project results are expected to contribute to sustainable, efficient and technologically advanced development of the aviation sector. This includes strengthening international collaborations between Swedish companies and research environments, which in turn can create new business opportunities and increased exports.

The call for proposals focuses mainly on promoting development and generating results in the following target areas:

Technology development for next-generation aircraft

Which results in the development of key components and systems with high eligibility requirements for environmental performance, energy efficiency, technical safety and interoperability with significance for future aircraft. The technologies can have viability in both civil and dual-use applications, and contribute to technology spillover effects – for example, by solutions being applied in other aircraft platforms, further developed by other actors, or utilized in related industries such as space, vehicles or energy. This development can in turn also build a more robust Swedish aerospace ecosystem, and create broader industrial and strategic benefits.

Verification and validation in preparation for industrialization

Which results in validation of central subsystems and architecture in ground and flight tests to accelerate the critical part of the technology's maturation journey, and to pave the way for industrialization and integration into both commercial and defense-related platforms in the longer term. Integration, testing, verification, validation and certification are important aspects to ensure that solutions are practically and economically feasible as well as regulatory viable.

Participation in international demonstrators

Which strengthens Sweden's ability to actively participate in and benefit from international research and technology collaborations, with the goal of enabling international testing and demonstrations of technologies in real environments. Participation in initiatives such as Clean Aviation, SESAR 3 and EDF strengthens Swedish presence in strategic collaborations and creates long-term opportunities for business, increased exports, technology dissemination and defense-related innovation.

Increasing technology maturity level (TRL)

Which results in technologies with potential to be further developed, reach a higher level of technical maturity and which, through verification in relevant environments, strengthens their feasibility and competitiveness for future civil and military applications.

See definition of TRL

Support for small and medium-sized businesses

This will result in SMEs strengthening their innovative capacity and flexibility in the supply chain, developing as subcontractors or independent technology suppliers with aerospace scope, and thereby becoming a strategic part of the aerospace ecosystem. In the long term, this will also increase their ability to qualify for participation in larger national and international demonstrator projects.

Energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact

Which results in technical solutions with radically improved environmental performance and thereby provides important funding for a climate-neutral air transport system. Electrification, lightweight technology and energy-efficient systems are key areas that need to be further developed, scaled up and integrated into the aircraft of the future. These technologies are not only of great importance for achieving climate goals in civil aviation, but are also relevant in a defense context where energy efficiency, endurance and performance are crucial.

Skills supply and long-term innovative capacity

Which results in increased access to cutting-edge expertise in strategic technology areas crucial for Sweden's future innovation and defense capabilities. Through investments that promote knowledge development and collaboration between companies and academia, a long-term supply of expertise for both civilian and military needs is ensured.

Contribute to a sustainable system transformation

Vinnova is tasked with promoting sustainable growth and system transformation. To implement sustainable system transformation, we have chosen to base ourselves on the UN's global sustainability goals, defined in the 2030 Agenda. There, Vinnova prioritizes two perspectives: gender equality and climate change. All initiatives and project we finance are assessed based on how they contribute to these perspectives.

We therefore always follow up and assess this:

• If women and men participate in the project on an equal footing, receive contributions and have influence and power over the project.
• How well the project analyzes and takes a position on whether there are sex or gender aspects that are relevant to the project's problem formulation, solutions and effects.
• How well the project contributes to the climate transition with a focus on ACARE's objective of a climate-neutral transport system by 2050, for example:
  • Reduce net emissions of carbon dioxide and other climate-impacting factors
  • Development of electric, hybrid and hydrogen-powered aircraft
  • More efficient engines and aircraft designs that reduce fuel consumption
  • Integration with energy systems
  • System efficiency

Gender-equal innovation – what it means for those seeking funding from us

Agenda 2030 as a driver for innovation

Making scientific publications and results available

When results from research and innovation are made freely available, more people can contribute to solving societal challenges. Project results should therefore be made as freely available as possible to everyone and scientific publishing should be open access.

The call for proposals is aimed at actors in the aerospace sector that have potential or ability to participate in national or international demonstrator programs. Both small and large companies can apply, either individually or as part of a consortium together with other companies, universities, university colleges and research institutes, depending on the chosen project level.

Consortia should involve relevant project partners and create collaboration that strengthens the competitiveness of the entire value chain. Collaboration between technology providers, end users and research environments is encouraged to ensure practical and applicable development.

The call for proposals covers project with applications in civil and multifunctional areas, including those with a dual-use profile where technologies can be used across multiple sectors and markets.

The call for proposals covers technologies and system solutions with viability in relevant application areas. The projects should contribute to raising the maturity of technologies and have potential to be verified in relevant environments through demonstrators. Examples of relevant technology areas may be:

• 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 system 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 early technology and skills development to full-scale demonstration projects with international collaboration. The size of funding and type of activities vary depending on the chosen project level.

The project funded will support technology maturity levels (TRL) 4-6 and focus on verification of technical systems in operationally relevant environments. The activities will contribute to industrialization preparations, strengthen Swedish and European supply chains, and enable technologies with use in both civilian and military domains – especially solutions with dual-use potential.

Please note that pure product or service development is not covered by the funding.

Level 1: Technology and capability development for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

Maximum funding:2 million SEK per project

Project duration: Up to 18 months

Target group:At least one small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) must be included. Project can be implemented individually or in collaboration with other companies, universities, university colleges or research institutes. There are no eligibility requirements on which party is coordinator.

This level is aimed at smaller demonstration and validation projects with a focus on early verification stages of technologies. The projects will contribute to raising the maturity of the technology within TRL 4-6 and serve as a springboard for further development or future participation in larger demonstrators. The projects may also include feasibility studies, competence building and capability development in SMEs, with aim of strengthening their long-term technical capacity and role as suppliers in the aeronautical value chain.

Examples of activities for which funding can be applied for:

• Technology development and verification in a relevant development environment
• Competence-enhancing initiatives
• Knowledge exchange with research environments
• Preparation for participation in larger demonstrator projects

Level 2: Demonstration preparation project

Maximum funding:SEK 10 million per project

Project duration: Up to 36 months

Target group:Consortia where a company participates together with other companies, universities, university colleges or research institutes. It is an eligibility requirements that at least one company participates, but it does not have to be coordinator of the project.

This level includes demonstration preparation project where technologies are tested and verified in a relevant environment within TRL 4-6. The projects should show clear potential for further development towards full-scale demonstration and industrialization, and contribute to strengthening the Swedish and European value chain.

Collaboration between different types of actors is encouraged, for example between technology suppliers, end users and research environments. Small and medium-sized enterprises play an important role and can contribute with niche expertise, flexibility and a high level of innovation.

Examples of activities for which funding can be applied for:

• Designing prototypes and conducting technical demonstrations
• Pilot activities for application-oriented testing and technology validation of new or improved processes, systems or manufacturing techniques
• Verification of technical solutions in relevant or operational environment
• Integration and system testing within relevant application areas

Level 3: Demonstration project with a focus on international collaboration

Maximum funding:for level 3 there is no upper limit for requested funding. The scope must be justified based on the project's focus, implementation and expected results.

Project duration: Up to 45 months

Target group:Company-led consortia where companies can participate together with other companies, universities, university colleges or research institutes. It is an eligibility requirements that a company is coordinator of the project.

This level includes larger technology demonstrators where system solutions are tested in operationally relevant environments. The projects will focus on advanced technology development and validation within TRL 4-6 and above, with strong links to international initiatives, such as Clean Aviation, SESAR 3 or EDF.

The aim is to take technologies to a more mature phase while simultaneously developing collaborative supplier structures. The projects should create the conditions for multiple actors in different or related technology areas to jointly shape a competitive supply chain for the international aerospace industry.

Examples of activities for which funding can be applied for:

• Full-scale technical demonstration in realistic or operational environments
• Integration of subsystems into complete architectures
• Testing and verification of manufacturing techniques for future industrial application
• Collaboration between technology suppliers and system integrators
• Preparations for certification and commercialization

What costs can we finance?

Our funding is subject to state aid rules. 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:

• Personnel costs: Salaries, social security contributions and other personnel 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 from third parties 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 an immediate consequence 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
• recorded correctly and separately from the organization's other costs.

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

For more detailed information about which eligibility requirements, limitations and exceptions apply, see Vinnova's general terms and conditions for funding

The state aid rules also govern how much of the costs we can finance. This is determined individually for each organization. We therefore differentiate 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:2 million SEK per project

Maximum aid intensity per project: 80%

Level 2

Maximum funding: 10 million SEK per project

Maximum aid intensity per project: 50%

Level 3

Maximum funding:for level 3 there is no upper limit for requested funding. The scope must be justified based on the project's focus, implementation and expected results.

Maximum aid intensity per project: 50%

How much funding can a participant receive?

How much funding each participant can receive depends mainly on:

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

Support to companies for research, development and feasibility studies

In this the call for proposals we provide support for industrial research, experimental development or feasibility studies.

What is 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 developmentcan 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.

For a full definition, see funding bases and levels

How much of the costs can we finance?

The size of the organization and type of activity determines how large a proportion of the costs we can finance, i.e. the maximum level of support.

See what is meant by bonus basis after the table.

Bonus Basics

If the project is covered by any of these bonus bases, we can finance a higher proportion of the costs according to the table:

• 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.
• Other bonus basis

For full information on these bonus bases, see funding Bases and Support Levels

We grant funding in accordance with Article 25 of the EU Commission's General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER).

Minor Support for businesses

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

An organization 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 organization 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 minimum support when you submit proposal. This is required for us to be able to grant this support.

Certificate of de minimis support

We grant funding in accordance with the EU Commission Regulation (2023/2831) on de minimis support.

Support to organizations that do not engage in economic activities

In this the call for proposals we also provide support to organisations that do not engage in economic activities. This means that they do not offer a service or product on a market. This usually includes universities and university colleges, research institutes and other organisations.

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

How do you determine whether an organization is engaged in economic activities?

An organization 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 organization 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 organization in your project is conducting economic activities, contact call manager. However, the organization is responsible for assessing whether it is conducting economic activities.

Support for start-ups

In this the call for proposals we provide support to start-ups. We 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 activities of another company, acquired or formed through a merger. For exceptions, see Funding grounds and levels for funding

For a full definition of an innovative start-up company, see funding criteria and levels of support

We grant funding in accordance with Article 22 of the EU Commission's General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER).

In order for us to take a position on and assess your proposal, it must meet certain formal eligibility requirements. If the requirements are not met, proposal will be rejected immediately.

Eligibility requirements on organizational form of 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.
• Applicant project partners must be registered as employers with the Swedish Tax Agency.

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 from outside parties may constitute a maximum of 20 percent of a project party's budget.
• The project must meet the eligibility requirements that apply to the applied funding, project duration and target group under the selected project level (1-3), see section 4. For applications at Level 2 and 3 eligibility requirements also apply to collaboration in the form of a consortium with at least two independent project parties.

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

What do we assess?

Potential

• The project's potential to strengthen the competitiveness of the Swedish aerospace industry and contribute to a stronger position for Swedish actors in international collaborations and demonstrator programs, for example through connections to EU programme, OEMs and other strategic partnerships.
• How well the project is assessed to be able to generate new innovative technical solutions with measurable functionality and performance in relevant environments, as well as potential to be scaled up, reach a higher level of technical maturity, be applied within relevant markets and lead to new business opportunities and industrial growth.
• The project's potential to contribute to a resilient and robust Swedish aerospace ecosystem through the development of value, supplier and supply chains, including opportunities for multiple actors to collaborate in different or complementary technology areas.
• How well the project is expected to contribute to a sustainable transformation of the aviation sector, including the development of technical solutions that promote climate neutrality and improved environmental performance of future aviation systems.
• The project's potential to contribute to long-term competence building in strategic aerospace areas, strengthened collaboration between industry and academia, and a more equal and inclusive aerospace innovation system.

Actors

• How well the project partners are assessed to have relevant competence, experience and resources to implement the project, as well as how appropriately the constellation is composed in terms of actor types, complementary competences and capacity for testing, validation and potential participation in larger or international demonstrators.
• The coordinator's ability to lead and coordinate the project and how well the project is anchored in the strategic activities of participating organizations.
• How well the project team is composed in terms of gender distribution. As well as how well power and influence are distributed between women and men in the project team.

Feasibility

• How realistic, well-structured and feasible the project plan is in relation to objective, method, activities, schedule and budget – taking into account the chosen project level.
• How well the project identifies and manages risks, as well as the degree to which the project has the capacity for testing, validation and demonstration in relevant environments.
• How well the project is connected to existing or planned international demonstrators and other relevant Research and Innovation Programs (national and European), and how clear the strategy is for collaboration with complementary initiatives and actors.
• To what extent does the project plan show how sustainability aspects (including climate aspects) and gender equality have been integrated into the project's design, implementation and priorities.

How do we assess?

Proposal are assessed in competition with other applications submitted to the call for proposals according to the following process:

1. Proposal are made in Vinnova's e-services.
2. Vinnova carries out a formal review of received applications, see section 6.
3. Applications that meet the formal requirements are assessed by specially appointed evaluator with relevant expertise. All evaluator are formally appointed by Vinnova. The experts assess the quality and relevance of the applications based on the assessment criteria of the call and provide an overall recommendation for funding or rejection. Vinnova reserves the right to apply a portfolio strategy in the selection of applications for granting.
4. Vinnova makes a formal decision on rejection or approval, based on the assessors' overall recommendation and after collaboration with the Armed Forces.
5. Decision notified to applicant.

We also assess financial status

Before deciding on funding, we also conduct a comprehensive assessment of the organizational and financial status of those receiving funding. We use information we obtain from credit reports, currently from Dun & Bradstreet.

In order for us to grant funding this applies:

• Organizations seeking funding for personnel costs must be registered as employers with the Swedish Tax Agency.
• Organizations must not be insolvent, undergoing liquidation or corporate restructuring, nor must they have unpaid debts with the Swedish Enforcement Authority.
• Limited liability companies must not have used up half or more of their share capital.
• If requested, SMEs must be able to demonstrate that they have the financial means to implement the project according to their budget in proposal. They cannot use public funding or their own funds intended for other project to cover project costs in this call for proposals.

Once we have assessed all applications, we will send you a decision either granting or rejecting your proposal. In the decision, we state how much funding each party in the project will be granted. Our decision cannot be appealed.

What happens if you are granted funding?

If we grant your 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 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 the results will be used and how scientific publication will 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.

We may also decide to add supplementary special conditions for individual project. In such cases, they will be stated in the decision.

Could you have to pay back funding?

If you do not follow our term, you may be required to repay the amount. This also applies if you have been granted funding incorrectly or for an amount that is too high.

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 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.

Once the call for proposals is closed, you cannot change anything in proposal. You can only make additions if we ask you to.

Who can read your proposal?

Your proposal will be read and assessed by Vinnova staff and the external evaluator formally appointed by the authority to participate in this the call for proposals. Everyone works under a duty of confidentiality in accordance with applicable legislation.

Applications submitted to us become public documents. This means that we must disclose them if requested. However, we keep confidential information that we believe could cause financial harm to the individual if disclosed. This could include information about business and operational conditions, inventions or research results.

How we handle public documents and confidentiality