Description

This is a joint call between Sweden and India (Vinnova and Department of Science and Technology (DST) of India) aimed at supporting company-driven, bi‐national research & innovation projects between Swedish and Indian companies, targeting the green transition in the steel and cement industries. Swedish companies collaborate with Indian companies (and optionally Swedish research/other partners) to co-develop new technologies, processes or services with commercial potential, in order to strengthen competitiveness, address global challenges (climate change, sustainability) and deepen Sweden-India innovation cooperation.

Funding Amount

• Swedish side: Up to SEK 2.5 million per project.
• Indian side: Up to ₹150 lakh (i.e., 15 million ₹) per project via DST/TDB (approximate ceiling) and up to 50 % of eligible costs.
• Support rate (Sweden): For Swedish companies: typically up to 50% of eligible costs (start-ups can get 70%, large companies in experimental development can get 40%). For Swedish research performing organisations: up to 100%.
• Non-profit / public organisations: up to 80% of eligible costs.

Important Dates

• Closing date: 16 December 2025 at 14:00 CET (2:00 pm) for Swedish applications.
• Decision given: 1 April 2026
• Project start: from 1 May 2026 to 30 June 2026.
• Project must be completed by 30 June 2028.
• Project duration: up to 24 months.

Submission Conditions

• Swedish Project Coordinator (SPC) must be a company registered in Sweden. Sole proprietors and limited partnerships are not eligible.
• Swedish Project Manager must be employed by the SPC.
• Swedish project partners (companies, research performing organisations, test-beds, public organisations) are legal entities and can participate.
• The project must include Swedish and Indian partners forming a joint consortium; the Swedish side applies via Vinnova, the Indian side via DST/TDB in parallel processes.
• The Swedish side must meet Swedish state-aid rules (GBER) for industrial research / experimental development / support to start-ups.
• Applicants must submit all required attachments, meet formal eligibility criteria (legal entity, deadlines, consortium composition).
• Project agreement between Swedish and Indian project partners must be in place no later than the first progress report to Vinnova.

Eligible Applicants

• Swedish applicants: Company (registered in Sweden) – as project coordinator.
• Swedish project partners: companies, universities, university colleges, research institutes, test-beds, public organisations and other relevant actors in Sweden.
• On the Indian side: Indian companies plus research organisations/academia as part of the Indian consortium.
• Note: Swedish sole proprietors and limited partnerships are not eligible for funding as SPC.