Call for 6G Supervision of Degree Work (Sweden)

Deadline: 04-Sep-2026

The Vinnova 6G thesis grant program provides funding for company-based and research-hosted degree projects focused on 6G technology. It supports supervision costs for thesis work, aiming to strengthen competence in 6G, promote industry–research collaboration, and fund up to 100 thesis projects by 2026. Grants can reach up to SEK 100,000 per project, with funding covering 50%–100% of eligible costs depending on applicant conditions.

Vinnova 6G Thesis Grant Program Overview

The Vinnova 6G thesis initiative is a targeted funding program designed to accelerate research and skill development in next-generation wireless communication systems (6G). It supports degree projects carried out within companies or research organizations, focusing on real-world applications and innovation.

The program is part of Sweden’s broader strategy to build national competence in advanced telecommunications and strengthen collaboration between academia, industry, and research institutions.

Purpose and Objectives of the Program

The grant program focuses on:

• Supporting thesis projects relevant to 6G technology development
• Increasing national and industrial competence in 6G systems
• Funding company-based and research-based degree projects
• Strengthening collaboration between industry and research organizations
• Covering supervision-related direct costs
• Achieving a target of 100 funded thesis projects by 2026
• Promoting gender balance in funded projects (equal participation of women and men)

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include organizations hosting the thesis project:

• Private companies with more than three employees
• Research organizations that do not provide undergraduate education

Key requirement:

• The applying organization must host and supervise the degree project internally

Ineligible or restricted entities:

• Organizations without sufficient employee base (less than or equal to three employees in private companies)
• Universities or institutions providing undergraduate education (for this specific call)

Funding Details

The program provides structured financial support based on eligibility conditions:

• Maximum funding per project: SEK 100,000
• Funding covers direct costs related to thesis supervision
• Funding intensity:
  • Up to 100% of eligible costs if:
    • The project qualifies under non-economic research activity, OR
    • The organization has a certificate of negligible support
  • Up to 50% of eligible costs in standard cases

Eligible cost focus:

• Supervision time and associated direct costs
• Costs directly linked to hosting and guiding thesis work within 6G-related projects

What Types of Projects Are Supported?

The program specifically supports thesis work related to:

• 6G wireless communication systems
• Next-generation mobile networks and infrastructure
• Advanced telecommunications research
• Industrial applications of 6G technologies
• Experimental or applied research conducted in companies or research institutes
• Innovation-driven engineering and technology development projects

Projects must be structured as degree-level thesis work embedded in a real organizational environment.

How the Program Works (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Identify a 6G-Related Thesis Project
Organizations define a thesis topic aligned with 6G research and development needs.

Step 2: Host the Degree Project
The organization provides supervision and a working environment for the student thesis.

Step 3: Prepare Application
Applicants compile:

• Project description
• Supervision plan
• Cost breakdown
• Organizational eligibility documentation

Step 4: Submit Application to Vinnova
Applications are submitted through the official call process.

Step 5: Evaluation and Selection
Proposals are evaluated based on:

• Relevance to 6G
• Innovation potential
• Industry–research collaboration value
• Contribution to competence development
• Diversity and inclusion goals

Step 6: Funding and Execution
Approved projects receive funding for supervision costs and proceed as structured thesis work.

Key Focus Areas of the Program

• 6G technology development and research
• Industry-based thesis collaboration
• Competence-building in telecommunications
• Applied research and innovation
• Gender-balanced participation in technical fields
• Strengthening Sweden’s global competitiveness in 6G

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting projects not clearly related to 6G
• Weak justification of supervision costs
• Missing eligibility documentation for organization type
• Ignoring funding intensity rules (50% vs 100%)
• Proposals lacking industry relevance or applied research value
• Unclear thesis structure or academic alignment

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly define how the thesis contributes to 6G development
• Highlight collaboration between company and research environment
• Provide a detailed supervision plan and resource allocation
• Demonstrate measurable competence-building outcomes
• Align project with innovation or applied engineering goals
• Emphasize inclusion and balanced participation where possible

Why This Program Matters

The Vinnova 6G thesis program plays a key role in:

• Building Sweden’s expertise in next-generation communication technologies
• Strengthening cooperation between industry and research institutions
• Preparing skilled graduates for advanced telecom industries
• Accelerating innovation in 6G infrastructure and applications
• Supporting long-term national competitiveness in digital technologies

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum funding per project?

Up to SEK 100,000 per thesis project.

Who can apply?

Private companies with more than three employees and eligible research organizations.

What costs are covered?

Primarily direct supervision costs for hosting and guiding thesis work.

Can universities apply?

No, organizations providing undergraduate education are not eligible for this specific call.

What is the funding rate?

Up to 50% of eligible costs, or up to 100% under specific research or subsidy conditions.

What is the main goal of the program?

To fund 100 thesis projects by 2026 and build national competence in 6G.

What field must the thesis relate to?

All projects must be directly relevant to 6G technology development.

Conclusion

The Vinnova 6G thesis grant program is a strategic funding initiative that supports industry-based and research-hosted thesis work. By financing supervision costs and promoting collaboration, it strengthens 6G competence development, accelerates innovation, and helps build a skilled workforce for future telecommunications systems.

For more information, visit Vinnova.