Call FAQ
Read the call text and documents referred to in it carefully. This document is to assist in finding information quickly and answering common questions.
Have you any tips regarding how to integrate gender diversity into the project?
- Swedish Mining Innovation has a gender diversity virtual platform developed by RISE to help you: LINK will be published soon, as well as a short video: Link to video on youtube
- Don’t leave this to the last minute! Start thinking about this when starting the project plan rather then trying to ”deal with it” as afterthought.
Some ideas to consider:
- What benefits could gender balance give your project?
- How are your partners working with gender diversity? Is there something your or their organizations can contribute and incorporate in the project? What is the industry perspective?
- Incorporate an externally facilitated workshop/strategy into your project plan?
- How will you follow-up during the project?
- Understand your local conditions – you may have an unbalanced team, is it possible to diversify during the project? How can you insure that both men and women are involved in the development of the solution? Is it possible to make an inclusive reference group or steering group or other input to the project?
- In what environment will the solution be applied? How can your project contribute to more attractive and inclusive work environment, including work culture, safety where gender can play a role?
- If you have a grants office (at university/institute for example) contact them for specific ideas in your project, they may offer workshops.
- Check information from Vinnova here: https://www.vinnova.se/m/jamstalld-innovation/
Foreign participation
Foreign companies and research actors, NGOs etc. may be partners in projects and can contribute in-kind or cash to the project. They cannot receive funding. The benefit to the project and Swedish industry should be clearly described in the application.
A foreign company counts towards the number of industrial partners.
A foreign research actor counts as a research actor.
Note that the coordinator must be a Swedish organization.
Budget
Can costs incurred before project start be eligible costs?
No.
Can costs incurred before project start be considered as inkind?
No for most costs posts. However use of previously purchased equipment, as depreciation during the project, may be eligible. Please review Vinnova’s rules carefully, and contact them for clarifications.
Are costs of patenting/IP protection eligible costs?
No.
Co-financing calculation
Maximum funding for pre-studies is 650 kSEK with 25% co-funding. For full-scale innovation projects and pilot/demo projects, the maximum funding is 10 000 kSEK with 50% co-funding. There is no minimum funding but the budget must be credible.
Example budget calculation
| Values in k SEK | Pre-study | Full-scale / Pilot project |
| Funding requested from Vinnova | 650 | 2 000 |
| Co-funding requirement | 25% | 50% |
| Minimum Co-funding requirement for requested funding | = 650 * 25%/75%
= 217 kSEK |
=2 000 *50%/50%
=2 000 kSEK |
| Total budget | = 650 + 217 = 867 | = 2 000 + 2 000 = 4 000 |
| Co-funding % | = 217/867*100 = 25% | = 2 000/4 000 = 50% |
What are eligible costs?
See stödberättigande kostnader here: https://www.vinnova.se/sok-finansiering/regler-for-finansiering/allmanna-villkor/
or in English here under Eligible Costs: https://www.vinnova.se/en/apply-for-funding/rules-for-our-funding/terms-and-conditions-for-our-funding/
What are overall terms and conditions for Vinnova financing, e.g. the roles and responsibilities of coordinators, partners; need for Partner agreement, IPR, auditing, reporting etc?
Vinnova provides information on its website in English: https://www.vinnova.se/en/apply-for-funding/rules-for-our-funding/terms-and-conditions-for-our-funding/ and in Swedish: https://www.vinnova.se/sok-finansiering/regler-for-finansiering/allmanna-villkor/
Do we need a partner agreement?
For full scale innovation and pilot projects a partner agreement is required. The partner agreement is formalized after the project is accepted at the first project status report (lägesrapport) – i.e. you do not need it when you submit the application. Vinnova has prepared a guide for preparing partner agreements:
How do I fill in the application in Vinnova’s portal?
You will need to create an account if you do not already have one. The login is individual, not institutional. After you have an account, click on the “ansök här” or “apply here” at the bottom of the Vinnova page: Inside the portal there is more information about how to fill in the application.
- Swedish: https://www.vinnova.se/e/strategiska-innovationsprogrammet-for-gruv-och-2014-00633/sakra-hallbar-metall-och-mineralforsorjning/
- English: https://www.vinnova.se/en/calls-for-proposals/the-strategic-innovation-programme-for-mining-and-metal-recovery–strim/secure-sustainable-metal-and-mineral-supply/
- Vinnova has a guide for preparing applications here (currently only in Swedish) https://www.vinnova.se/sok-finansiering/sa-har-fyller-du-i-ansokan/
Where are the templates that need to be filled in and uploaded for the application?
On Vinnova’s website, links are above.
What documents need to be uploaded with the application?
Documents to be uploaded with the application for pre-study
- Project Summary (Projektreferat), using the template, one A4-page (also send to Swedish Mining Innovation Program office)
- Project Description (Projektbeskrivning) using the template
- CV for key personnel with minimum of 1 person for each partner. Maximum length three A4 pages per CV.
- Letter of support from at least 1 company, no template is available
- If the project application is for a continuation of a previously funded project in Swedish Mining Innovation a summary of the project’s results and a description of what was done and how the proposed project builds on the previous project. Maximum two A-4 pages, no template is available.
Documents to be uploaded with the application for full scale innovation projects and pilot projects
- Project Summary (Projektreferat), using the template, two A4-page (also send to Swedish Mining Innovation Program office)
- Project Description (Projektbeskrivning) using the template
- Companies must provide a statement of commitment (styrkt åtagande)
- CV for key personnel with minimum of 1 person for each partner. Maximum length three A4 pages per CV.
- If the project application is for a continuation of a previously funded project in Swedish Mining Innovation a summary of the project’s results and a description of what was done and how the proposed project builds on the previous project. Maximum two A-4 pages, no template is available.
Technology readiness level
Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is a method developed within Horizon 2020 to denote the degree of maturity of a technology. The measurement system provides an understanding of technology status throughout the innovation chain.
By evaluating projects against the parameters for each TRL level, you can classify the projects based on their degree of development.
There are nine TRL levels defined where 1 is the lowest level and 9 the highest.
Swedish Mining Innovation uses the same definition as the EU. You may find more information on TRL levels here.
TRL 9 – Actual system proven in operational environment (competitive manufacturing in the case of key enabling technologies; or in space) Full commercial application, technology available for consumers.
TRL 8 – System complete and qualified. Technology solution that is the first of its kind. Manufacturing problems solved.
TRL 7 – System prototype demonstration in operational environment.
TRL 6 – Technology demonstrated in relevant environment (industrially relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies). Prototype system tested in intended environment close to expected performance.
TRL 5 – Technology validated in relevant environment (industrially relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies). Large scale prototype tested in intended environment.
TRL 4 – Technology validated in lab. Small scale prototype built in a laboratory environment (“ugly” prototype).
TRL 3 – Experimental proof of concept. Applied research. The first laboratory tests have been done.
TRL 2 – Technology concept formulated. Both concepts and applications are defined.
TRL 1 – Basic principles observed. Principles are assumed but experimental evidence is lacking.
