Open Call: Vinnova Backs AI and Cybersecurity for Swedish Industry (Sweden)

Deadline: 09-Apr-2026

Vinnova invites Swedish companies, universities, and research organizations to apply for funding to enhance digital resilience and competitiveness through AI and cybersecurity projects. Funding of 1–10 million SEK per project is available for initiatives that prevent cyber threats, develop secure AI systems, and promote innovation in Swedish industry.

Programme Overview

The Vinnova AI & Cybersecurity Funding Call aims to support innovative projects that strengthen Sweden’s digital resilience and competitiveness. The initiative focuses on:

• AI-enabled cybersecurity – using artificial intelligence to detect, prevent, and manage cyber threats

• Reliable and secure AI – creating robust AI systems resistant to attacks, disruptions, and operational failures

Projects should deliver solutions that enhance safety, robustness, and innovation, supporting responsible adoption of advanced digital technologies in Swedish industry.

Key Focus Areas

1. AI for Cybersecurity

• Develop AI solutions to automate monitoring, risk management, and incident response

• Support authentication, authorization, and data flow control with minimal human intervention

• Improve resilience and robustness in critical digital infrastructure

• Promote competence-building and sector-wide security knowledge

2. Reliable and Secure AI

• Build AI systems capable of withstanding attacks and operational disruptions

• Ensure traceability, control, and security, especially in multi-agent AI environments

• Foster trustworthy AI adoption across industry sectors

• Accelerate responsible digitalization while raising expertise in AI safety

Eligibility and Participation

• Eligible Participants: Consortia with at least two organizations, including at least one company

• Recommended Collaborators: Universities, research institutes, and other relevant organizations

• Focus: Projects must demonstrate potential for national and international impact and contribute to industry innovation and digital resilience

Funding Details

• Funding per Project: 1–10 million SEK

• Funding Coverage: Up to 50% of eligible costs

• Preliminary Total Budget: 50 million SEK

• Expected Outcomes:

  • AI-based cybersecurity solutions with industrial applicability

  • Robust and secure AI systems ready for practical deployment

  • Strengthened digital resilience and innovation capacity within Swedish industry

How to Apply

Step 1: Form a Consortium

• Include at least one company and one additional participant (research institute, university, or organization).

Step 2: Define Project Scope

• Align the project with AI-enabled cybersecurity or reliable AI focus areas

• Demonstrate how the project contributes to digital resilience and innovation

Step 3: Prepare Application

• Detail project objectives, methods, expected outcomes, and impact

• Include consortium partners, roles, budget, and timeline

Step 4: Submit Application

• Follow Vinnova’s official application process and guidelines

• Ensure all eligibility criteria and documentation are met

Tips for Success

• Highlight practical applicability of AI and cybersecurity solutions

• Emphasize automation, robustness, and resilience in project design

• Demonstrate collaborative and multi-disciplinary expertise

• Ensure clear plans for national and international impact

• Provide a realistic budget and timeline aligned with project objectives

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can apply for funding?
   Consortia of at least two participants, including one company. Collaboration with universities or research institutes is encouraged.

2. What are the focus areas?

   • AI-enabled cybersecurity for threat detection, prevention, and management

   • Reliable and secure AI capable of withstanding attacks and operational disruptions

3. How much funding is available per project?
   Between 1 and 10 million SEK, covering up to 50% of eligible costs.

4. What is the total budget for this call?
   Preliminary total funding of 50 million SEK is available.

5. What types of outcomes are expected?

   • Practical AI cybersecurity solutions for Swedish industry

   • Secure and reliable AI systems

   • Increased digital resilience, innovation, and expertise in AI safety

6. Can international partners participate?
   Projects should primarily benefit Swedish industry, though collaboration with international partners is possible if aligned with project goals.

7. What makes a strong application?
   Demonstrated industrial impact, automation and resilience, clear consortium roles, practical outcomes, and potential for national and international scalability.

Conclusion

The Vinnova AI & Cybersecurity Funding Call 2026 provides Swedish industry and research organizations with a strategic opportunity to innovate and strengthen digital resilience. By supporting AI-driven cybersecurity projects and secure AI development, the initiative promotes robust, trustworthy, and forward-looking solutions that enhance the competitiveness of Swedish industry while fostering sector-wide expertise.

For more information, visit Vinnova.