Description

This call seeks to fund research & innovation projects aimed at helping Swedish industry to develop new solutions in applied artificial intelligence (AI) under the umbrella of advanced digitalisation. It forms part of the Advanced Digitalisation programme, which is industry-driven and aims to strengthen Sweden’s and Swedish industry’s ability to create future digital solutions.

The call emphasises industrial needs and collaboration between companies and research/academia.

Funding Amount

• Each project can apply for funding between SEK 2 million and SEK 10 million for the Swedish parties.
• Vinnova’s grant may cover up to 50% of the project’s total eligible costs.
• Duration: 12 to 24 months.

Submission Deadlines

• Application opens: 15 October 2025 for the 2026 version.
• Last application date: 13 January 2026 at 14:00 CET.
• Decision date: 23 March 2026.
• Earliest project start: 1 April 2026.
• Latest project start date: 30 April 2026.
• Project must be completed by 30 April 2028.

Submission Conditions

• The project must be a collaborative project — consortium must include at least two participants, of which at least one is a company (industrial actor) and one other actor (e.g., research organisation).
• Applicant must be a Swedish legal entity (or foreign with Swedish branch/establishment) bearing Swedish registration and incurring costs in Sweden.
• The project must be driven by industrial needs — companies in the consortium must have needs/ownership.
• The project must comply with state-aid rules (for companies engaged in economic activity).
• Eligible costs include: personnel costs, equipment (if not regular business premises), consulting/licensing costs (with limit for consulting), other direct costs (materials, travel), and overhead (max 30% of personnel costs) for companies.
• The project must deliver results that can be disseminated; scientific publications should be open access.

Eligible Types of Businesses

• Swedish companies (SMEs and larger) conducting industrial activity are eligible.
• Swedish universities, university colleges, research institutes and other relevant organisations can participate (and possibly lead) but at least one company must be part of the consortium.
• All participating organisations must be legal entities; natural persons cannot apply.