Deadline: 15-Jun-2026
Vinnova is offering grants to strengthen international innovation partnerships focused on building healthy, resilient, and sustainable societies. The program supports short-term collaborative projects (up to 6 months) with funding of up to SEK 500,000. Eligible applicants must include at least one Swedish organization working with an international partner.
Overview of the Grant Program
The initiative by Vinnova aims to enhance Sweden’s global innovation capacity by supporting established international partnerships.
The program focuses on fostering long-term collaboration across sectors to address global challenges such as health crises, climate change, and geopolitical instability.
By strengthening cross-border innovation ecosystems, the call promotes practical solutions that improve societal resilience and preparedness.
Key Focus Areas
Projects must align with one or more of the following strategic domains:
Health and Life Sciences
- Innovations in healthcare systems and public health
- Strengthening resilience against health crises
Food Systems
- Sustainable food production and distribution
- Food security and resilience
Community Planning
- Urban development and sustainable infrastructure
- Smart and resilient cities
Preparedness and Civil Defense
- Crisis management systems
- National and community-level preparedness strategies
Program Objectives
- Strengthen Sweden’s innovation competitiveness
- Deepen existing international partnerships
- Promote sustainable and resilient societies
- Enable cross-sector collaboration
- Address complex global challenges through innovation
Funding Details
- Grant amount: Up to SEK 500,000 per project
- Project duration: Maximum 6 months
- Total budget: SEK 15 million
- Estimated projects funded: حوالي 30 projects in the first stage
Who is Eligible?
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
Eligible Organizations
- Companies
- Public sector entities
- Civil society organizations
- Universities and academic institutions
- Research institutes
Partnership Requirement
- At least one Swedish organization must apply
- Must collaborate with at least one international partner
Eligible Partner Countries/Regions
- Baltics
- Brazil
- France
- India
- Japan
- Canada
- Nordics
- Poland
- Switzerland
- Singapore
- Spain
- South Korea
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- Ukraine
- United States
What Types of Projects Are Supported?
Projects should focus on:
- Strengthening existing international collaborations
- Developing joint innovation approaches
- Building or expanding networks
- Enhancing cooperation within innovation ecosystems
- Supporting sustainability and societal preparedness
How to Apply
Follow these steps to submit a strong application:
- Identify an existing international partner
- Define a clear project aligned with one of the focus areas
- Develop a joint collaboration plan
- Outline expected outcomes and innovation impact
- Prepare and submit the application via Vinnova’s official portal
What Happens After Selection
- Funding agreement is issued
- Project implementation begins (up to 6 months)
- Collaboration activities and reporting
- Potential for future long-term partnerships
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying without an established international partnership
- Submitting vague or non-practical project ideas
- Ignoring thematic focus areas
- Lack of clear outcomes or innovation impact
- Weak collaboration plan
Tips for a Strong Application
- Focus on real-world impact and scalability
- Demonstrate strong existing partnerships
- Align clearly with resilience and sustainability goals
- Show how collaboration will continue beyond the project
- Keep the proposal concise and outcome-driven
Why This Grant Matters
Builds Global Innovation Networks
Encourages meaningful international collaboration across strategic sectors
Enhances Societal Resilience
Supports solutions to global challenges like health crises and climate change
Strengthens Sweden’s Competitiveness
Boosts innovation capacity through global partnerships
Supports Sustainable Development
Aligns with long-term sustainability and preparedness goals
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the main goal of this funding call?
To strengthen international innovation partnerships that support resilient and sustainable societies.
2. How much funding can a project receive?
Up to SEK 500,000 per project.
3. What is the project duration?
Projects can run for a maximum of 6 months.
4. Who can apply?
Companies, public sector organizations, civil society actors, academia, and research institutes.
5. Is an international partner required?
Yes, at least one Swedish applicant must collaborate with an international partner.
6. Are new partnerships allowed?
The focus is on strengthening already established partnerships.
7. How many projects will be funded?
Approximately 30 projects in the first stage.
Conclusion
The Vinnova International Collaboration Grants 2026 provide a strategic opportunity for organizations to strengthen global partnerships and drive innovation in key societal sectors. By supporting short-term, high-impact projects, the program contributes to building resilient communities and sustainable innovation ecosystems capable of addressing today’s complex global challenges.
For more information, visit Vinnova.