Vinnova is inviting grant applications to strengthen Sweden’s metal and mineral industry to ensure supply security during peacetime, high alert, wartime, and other security-sensitive situations. The funding supports industrial research, experimental development, and cross-sector collaboration aligned with Sweden’s total defense objectives. Projects must involve Swedish companies and research organizations.
Overview
Vinnova has launched a strategic funding call to enhance the resilience and operational capacity of Sweden’s metal and mineral sector.
The call aims to ensure that critical raw materials and essential metals remain available during:
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Peacetime
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High alert situations
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Wartime
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Other national security crises
This initiative strengthens Sweden’s total defense capability, which integrates both civilian and military preparedness.
Programme Context
This call is part of:
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The Swedish Metals & Minerals Programme
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Under the joint innovation initiative Impact Innovation
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Led by:
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Vinnova
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Swedish Energy Agency
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Formas
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The programme focuses on innovation, industrial competitiveness, and national security preparedness.
Objectives of the Call
1. Strengthen Industry Contribution to Total Defense
Projects must enhance the metal and mineral sector’s ability to:
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Supply critical raw materials
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Maintain industrial production during crisis
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Support national infrastructure resilience
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Contribute to Sweden’s civil defense preparedness
2. Support Industrial Research and Experimental Development
Funding supports:
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Applied industrial research
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Experimental development
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Technology validation
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Process innovation
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Capacity-building solutions
Projects must show clear relevance to national security and total defense needs.
3. Foster Cross-Sector Collaboration
Strong collaboration is required between:
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Swedish metal and mineral companies
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Universities and university colleges
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Research institutes
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Public authorities and government actors
Interdisciplinary partnerships are central to eligibility.
Funding Structure
Two funding categories are available:
Category 1
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Up to 1.5 million SEK
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Project duration: Up to 18 months
Category 2
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No predefined maximum grant amount
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Funding based on project scope and impact
Applicants must justify budget, co-financing structure, and measurable outcomes.
Who Is Eligible?
Consortium Requirements
Each project must include:
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At least one Swedish company
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At least one Swedish research organization
Definition of Swedish Company
A Swedish company must be:
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A limited liability company (AB)
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Registered in Sweden
Eligible Participants
Entities eligible for funding:
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Swedish legal entities
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Foreign organizations with a registered Swedish branch
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Establishments where project costs are attributable to the Swedish branch
Not eligible for funding:
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Foreign organizations without a Swedish branch (may participate without funding)
What Types of Projects Are Expected?
Projects must clearly demonstrate:
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Strengthened supply resilience
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Increased production robustness
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Improved industrial preparedness
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Enhanced operational continuity in crisis
Examples may include:
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Securing domestic supply chains
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Crisis-adapted processing technologies
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Resource efficiency under emergency conditions
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Infrastructure protection innovations
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Strategic stockpiling optimization
All proposals must show a direct link to strengthening Sweden’s total defense capability.
Why This Funding Matters
Sweden’s metal and mineral industry plays a critical role in:
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Energy systems
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Infrastructure development
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Defense production
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Advanced manufacturing
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Green transition technologies
Supply disruptions during crises can compromise national security, economic stability, and defense readiness.
This call supports:
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Strategic autonomy
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Industrial resilience
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Innovation-driven security
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Public-private preparedness cooperation
How to Apply
Follow these structured steps:
Step 1: Build a Consortium
Form a partnership including:
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At least one Swedish AB-registered company
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At least one Swedish university or research institute
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Optional: public authorities or additional partners
Step 2: Define Defense-Relevant Objectives
Clearly explain:
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How the project strengthens total defense
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What vulnerability it addresses
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What measurable outcomes it delivers
Step 3: Select Funding Category
Choose:
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Category 1 (≤ 1.5 million SEK, ≤ 18 months), or
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Category 2 (larger-scale funding request)
Step 4: Prepare Budget and Work Plan
Include:
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Project timeline
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Defined milestones
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Research and development plan
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Risk assessment
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Co-financing structure
Step 5: Submit Application via Vinnova Portal
Ensure all partners confirm participation and legal eligibility before submission.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Submitting a proposal without a Swedish AB company
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Failing to include a Swedish research organization
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Not clearly linking the project to total defense
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Overemphasizing commercial benefits without security relevance
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Weak collaboration structure between partners
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Unclear budget allocation
Strong applications show strategic relevance, technical feasibility, and cross-sector alignment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is leading this funding call?
The call is issued by Vinnova under the Swedish Metals & Minerals Programme within the Impact Innovation initiative.
2. What is meant by “total defense”?
Total defense refers to Sweden’s integrated civilian and military preparedness framework for crisis and wartime resilience.
3. Can foreign companies apply?
Foreign companies can participate only if they have a registered Swedish branch. Funding is limited to Swedish legal entities.
4. What is the maximum funding available?
Category 1 projects may receive up to 1.5 million SEK. Category 2 has no fixed upper limit.
5. Are authorities allowed to participate?
Yes. Public authorities and actors may participate if they contribute to the programme’s objectives.
6. What type of research is eligible?
Industrial research and experimental development directly linked to strengthening supply capacity and defense preparedness.
7. Is collaboration mandatory?
Yes. A consortium must include at least one Swedish company and one Swedish research organization.
Conclusion
Vinnova’s grant call provides strategic funding to strengthen Sweden’s metal and mineral industry as a pillar of national security and total defense preparedness. By supporting industrial research, cross-sector collaboration, and resilience-building innovation, the programme reinforces Sweden’s capacity to maintain essential metal and mineral supply during crisis and wartime conditions.
Organizations that align technical innovation with defense readiness objectives have a strong opportunity to secure funding and contribute to Sweden’s long-term industrial and security resilience.
For more information, visit Vinnova.
