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Transformation of an industry or a social phenomenon in the wake of the pandemic in the autumn of 2021

Vinnova opens a call for proposals for the conversion of an industry or a social phenomenon in the wake of the pandemic. The purpose is to meet challenges and capture opportunities that society now faces. With this effort, Vinnova wants to help take advantage of the tough time that the pandemic entails to rearrange designated industries and areas for the future. We want to give support to initiatives that have potential to support society in a challenging time through innovation.

This web page has been machine translated. If there are any uncertainties, please refer to the Swedish text.

The offer in brief

What can you apply for?

Project which is based on the new needs that arise due to the pandemic and contributes to change, where a first solution is ready in 6-12 months. Applications must be in the areas of: collective travel, culture, remote rehabilitation, social unrest.

Who can apply?

Project about at least two actors, one of whom must be a developing actor and a needs owner. By needs owner we mean the actor who benefits from the solution and who will take care of (manage, use, disseminate) the results of the project.

How much can you apply for?

It is possible to apply for a maximum of SEK 1 million per project. Eligibility requirements on co-financing may exist. The call will have two applications, one in the spring and one in the autumn.

Important dates

  • The call in detail

    • Support for writing a correct proposal

      We offer support for writing a correct proposal (so-called "writing studio"). It mainly involves us explaining our formal term but also answering your other questions. The support concerns rules and term, not the actual content of your proposal.

      On this page we list information about chat/video meeting given the week before application date.

      Upcoming opportunities for "writing cabin"
      • Tuesday 14/9, at 14-15 ( link to MS Teams-möte)
      • Måndag 20/9, at 10-11 ( link to MS Teams-möte)
      • Fredag 24/9, at 10-11 ( link to MS Teams-möte)

      Checklista for a correct proposal

      The following points are selected important advice. We recommend that you read the entire description of the call for proposals.

      In order for your proposal to be assessed, it needs to follow the instructions for the call for proposals. Applications that are not correctly designed will not be taken forward to assessment.

      Check in particular:

      • That proposal clearly belongs within one of the specified focus areas.
      • All parties in proposal are legal entities. Individual companies are not approved. Companies must be active and have an organization number when proposal are submitted.
      • The appendix for the project description must not exceed 5 pages. The template is mandatory.
      • The CV attachment must not exceed 3 pages. The template is mandatory.
      • Only accepted attachments are project description and CV.
      • The attachments must use the templates linked from this page. No custom formats for attachments are accepted. The templates should be used without editing fonts or margins.
    • With this effort, Vinnova wants to contribute to making use of the tough times that the pandemic means to reposition designated industries or areas for the future. We want to give support to initiatives that have potential to support society through innovation in a challenging time.

      The investment is aimed at actors and areas where new solutions can be applied in the foreseeable future, and where their use can lead to a rapid transformation of an industry or a social phenomenon. Solutions should make a difference within 6–12 months.

      The focus is on both social benefit and economic recovery.

      Vinnova is tasked with promoting sustainable growth by improving the conditions for innovation. Improved conditions for innovation strengthen the capacity to reach the goals for sustainable development in Agenda 2030. Through our efforts, we contribute to the global commitment to reach the goals.

      Our work to contribute to the goals of Agenda 2030

      Gender equality is a prerequisite for sustainable growth and is found in Agenda 2030 as an objective in itself, but also as a perspective that should permeate the work with all objective. The call for proposals should therefore contribute to an equal social development linked to two main perspectives:

      • One perspective is about both women and men taking part in the contribution and participating in and having influence over the project in an equal way.
      • The second perspective is about the project analyzing and deciding whether there are equality aspects (sex or gender) that are relevant within the solution's problem area and usefulness.

      Equal innovation for those looking for funding

    • The call for proposals is open for applications only in the following areas:

      Culture & hospitality industry

      The cultural and creative industries are not only a very important source of growth and employment, but also a driving force for innovation. The cultural sector reduces people's sense of isolation during the pandemic. The culture gives meaning and helps people's involvement in the new normal existence.

      But the sector has been hit hard by Covid-19. The closure of museums, theaters, concert halls, cinemas, festivals, art galleries, libraries, restaurants left many without functioning activities. Likewise for artists and the hospitality industry.

      The call for proposals seeks applications based on the new needs and opportunities that arise due to the pandemic. Through innovation, Project will create a change that leads to economically sustainable renewed activities within art and cultural companies. Art and culture companies refer to those that have cultural creation or other creative processes as a supporting part of their business idea or as raw material.

      The support is limited to activities that are carried out continuously as a professional activity.

      Collective travel

      All national and regional strategies in the area of transport have the objective of increasing collective travel. Collective travel refers to various forms of shared mobility. It includes traditional public transport such as bus and train but also taxi, shared car or bicycle, rental car, etc.

      During the pandemic, collective travel has been exposed to major challenges, which has meant that users and suppliers have been forced to make other choices and priorities. It is about challenges such as congestion, flexibility, punctuality and attractiveness to compete with private car travel. The solutions to these challenges will be just as important during and after the pandemic. The restart that we are facing can thus mean new opportunities for shared mobility.

      The call for proposals welcomes applications that raise new ideas, perspectives and solutions, about what can come after the pandemic. It is central that the solutions contribute to a healthy and climate-neutral mobility system.

      It is positive in this track if the needs owner is active in the implementation of the project (but not a formal eligibility requirements). Applicant in the area of public transport can read Restart for public transport - ideas for a sustainable futureas inspiration.

      The following issues are highlighted as particularly important in the call for proposals: safe and flexible travel, reduced congestion, better information that enables better planning.

      Remote rehabilitation

      Extensive digitalisation is underway in health care. During the pandemic, the area has seen a transformation similar to that of society in general; the use of alternative meetings has increased. Telephone for a first contact and advice has long been used between patient and care. Later features are digital aids such as video meetings and chat. Solutions that work remotely are currently given an increased priority. It is initially about reduced direct contact, but also about creating more or better choices, where it is justified and benefits both the patient and the care.

      It is not easy to observe progress when changes occur slowly over time, which is common in self-care. Patients may find it difficult to follow prescribed exercises on their own. Digital solutions can provide better compliance, increase motivation, but also provide measurability around progress and create data that the health and medical care can use for further treatment.

      In this call for proposals we welcome applications focused on remote rehabilitation. There are advantages to individualized treatment on the patient's term and adapted to the prevailing conditions. A better balance between the patient's own efforts and the efforts of the healthcare system can bring great benefits, in terms of quality, well-being and efficiency.

      Social unrest

      A societal crisis such as the one during the pandemic creates, directly or indirectly, various forms of negative impact on groups of individuals. Many of these phenomena have a partially hidden course and are often only observed afterwards through national statistics or through other observations.

      It is the serious consequences that follow from, for example, increased loneliness or relational conflicts that become the problem you need to deal with. The direct impact that a social crisis has is rarely possible to prevent, but one must focus on managing the negative consequences in a better way.

      The call for proposals welcomes applications that contribute to change to better understand and manage changes resulting from social unrest. This effort welcomes approaches that are based on innovation and that intend to develop and put into use a new solution in the near future.

      The following issues are highlighted as particularly important in the call for proposals: increased loneliness and relational conflicts.

    • With the call for proposals we are targeting initiatives that through collaboration mobilize for innovation for a sustainable future. Support is only given to project that address the new challenges we see today in connection with the corona epidemic.

      The venture is aimed at actors who:

      • has ability and capacity to develop and apply innovative solutions in the near term, and where the use can lead to a rapid transformation of an industry or a social phenomenon,
      • can test its solution within the framework of the project together with a needs owner,
      • has a solution with a high degree of innovation,that is, a high degree of originality and renewal.

      The projects must consist of at least two actively participating parties, of which at least one must be a needs owner.

      What do we mean by need owner?

      By need owner, we mean here the actor who benefits from the solution and who must take care of (manage, use, disseminate) the results of the project. The owner of the need must show that the need is real and urgent, that the project has the conditions to scale and spread the solution to many, that the solution makes a difference and is justified due to the crisis.

      Due to the high search pressure, we would like to see a requirement owner represent several actors or a larger area.

    • Activities for which funding can be sought

      • Development initiatives for the transformation of society, activities and production.
      • Prototyping, testing and validation of adapted or improved products, processes or services in environments that correspond to realistic operating conditions.
      • Participation in a joint activity to practically demonstrate their solutions.

      Proposal must have a clear innovation aspect. Support cannot go to operations and operational support.

      Eligible costs

      Our funding takes place through funding. Funding for organizations that carry out economic activities is covered by rules on state support.

      The rules govern, among other things, which types of costs and what proportion of them may be covered by funding.

      State support for economic activities (enterprises)

      Rules for which costs are eligible

      Read more about which costs are eligible for support in Instructions for eligible costs.

      Read more about our support levels in Support levels, definitions and more for funding according to Vinnova's support scheme

      The activities for which you are seeking funding are likely activities under the definitions for "industrial research" and "experimental development" according to Commission Regulation (EU) No. 651/2014 and as described on Vinnova's website.

      Companies with a need for higher aid intensity than is possible according to the above definitions can apply support of minor importance, provided that the applicant can receive such support (EU no. 1407/2013). To demonstrate that such support can be received, each party granted minor support must submit an affidavit to that effect. Certificates must only be sent at the request of Vinnova.

      Vinnova does not finance routine changes to existing goods, manufacturing methods, manufacturing processes, services or other ongoing operations. Furthermore, marketing and sales or ongoing operations are not financed.

    • Funding can amount to a maximum of SEK 1 million per project.

    • We will only assess applications that meet the following formal eligibility requirements:

      • At least two active project parties, of which at least one needs owner (for the focus area collective travel, it is positive if the needs owner is active in the implementation of the project, but not an eligibility requirements).
      • Project parties must be legal entities and beneficiary must have a branch or place of business in Sweden.
      • Proposal be within one of the focus areas described in this call text.
      • Proposal contains all mandatory appendices (designed according to Mandatory appendices). No other attachments are allowed.

      Mandatory attachments

      NOTE! Applications that contain other attachments, that do not use the mandatory templates or that are longer in scope than indicated below will not be assessed.

      • Project description:Write in Swedish or English. Use 12 point font size. The description may cover a maximum of 5 pages.
      • Curriculum vitae: Attach a curriculum vitae (CV) per proposal, describing project manager and relevant persons. The curriculum vitae may comprise a maximum of 3 pages in total per proposal.

      Mandatory templates can be found further down on this page.

    • What do we assess?

      Potential

      • Potential to use the opportunities of the crisis to transform an industry or an area.
      • The innovation height of the proposed solution.
      • Potential to solve the addressed problem in the near term.
      • potential of the project results to contribute to sustainability in the transformed industry or area.

      Actors

      • Owners of needs who request the solution and their conditions to manage, use, and spread the results to more people.
      • Balance in distribution of responsibilities and efforts between project parties.
      • How well the team is composed with regard to gender distribution, as well as the distribution of power and influence between women and men.

      Feasibility

      • That the project can be completed in 12 months and that the solution can make a difference within 6–12 months.
      • That the actors have the capacity to carry out the project and that the commitment does not negatively affect an activities that is already burdened.
      • How realistic the project plan and budget are in relation to objective.
      • Access to other/own funding for implementation.
      • How well equality aspects have been integrated into the project plan.

      How do we judge?

      The applications will be assessed according to the criteria potential, feasibility and actors by specially appointed evaluator. Applications are assessed in competition.

      Vinnova intends to finance a diversified portfolio with a balance of actors, areas and project orientations.

    • Decision date and project start is tentatively one month after each application.

      Two rounds are planned.

      • First application time: 2021-05-11, at 2:00 p.m.
      • Second application time: 2021-09-28, at 2:00 p.m.

      About our decisions

      How much each party in the project is granted in funding appears in the decision. Funding will be granted with support of "industrial research", "experimental development" or support of minor importance". The basis for support appears in the decision and also governs which costs are eligible for support.

      Our decision to grant or reject a proposal cannot be appealed.

      Term for granted funding

      For granted funding, our general terms and conditions for fundingapply. The terms contain, among other things, rules about project agreements, conditions for payment, follow-up, reporting and utilization of results.

      Our rules and term for funding

      For everyone who is granted funding in this the call for proposals the following special conditions also apply:

      • The projects must demonstrate their solutions in a real environment in a joint activity. Vinnova will specify the place and time for the joint activity.

      Supplementary special conditions can be decided for individual project.

      If you do not comply with our term, you may be liable for a refund. This also applies if you have been granted funding incorrectly or with too high an amount.

    • Date
      Change
      14 Sep 2021
      Cosmetic adjustment
      14 Sep 2021
      Adjusted first date for writing cabin
      18 May 2021
      First version

    How to apply

    To apply for funding, you need to log in and complete an application form in our eServices portal. The application form contains questions about your project, the participants taking part in the project and your budget. 

    Download document templates for your attachments

    Plesae download the templates for the documents you need to attach to your application such as a CV or project description.

    Please allow enough time

    Please keep in mind that it takes time to complete an application. Filling in the templates can take several days, since they're based on analyses you need to do. Therefore, start the application well in advance. You can start filling in your details, then save and continue at a later time.

    When you've completed your application, please mark it as done ("klar"). You can unlock and make changes to your application at any time until the call closes. If you unlock your application, you must mark it as done ("klarmarkera") if you want the application registered when the call closes. 

    This happens when the call is closed

    Once your proposal registered, we will email a confirmation to the person in charge of the user account and to the project manager and the signatory. This may take a few hours after the call is closed. If you have not received a confirmation by e-mail within 24 hours after the call has closed, please contact us.

    When the call is closed, you can not change or fill in any new information. Then you can only complete your proposal if we ask for it.

    Who can read your proposal?

    Applications submitted to us become public documents. However, we do not disclose information about the business, inventions or research results if it can be assumed that someone is suffering financial damage if the information is shown.

    This means that we must release the documents if someone requests them. However, we keep confidential the information that we believe could cause financial damage if it is disclosed.

    How we handle public documents and confidentiality

    Any questions?

    If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.

    Erik Borälv

    Utlysningsansvarig

    +46 8 473 32 22

    Karin Axelius-Edgren

    Administrativa frågor

    +46 8 473 31 10

    Fund­ed pro­jects

    Reference number 2021-02297

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