RFPs: India-Sweden Collaborative Industrial Research and Development Programme

Focus Areas   

• The collaborative projects should be innovative and focused on creating possibilities for future new technologies, services or processes that will eventually lead to commercialisation.
• This RFP 2025 is open to applied joint Indo-Swedish R&D projects focusing on technological development and innovative solutions related to the green transition in the steel and cement industries for example within one or several of the following sub-themes:
  • AI as an Enabler: AI applications to facilitate and drive innovation and efficiency in green transition initiatives. Can be crosscutting in all subthemes. Including advanced software solutions designed to measure, evaluate and manage activities aimed at reducing emissions.
  • Optimization of Production Processes: Innovative solutions that improve the efficiency and sustainability of production processes in the steel and cement industries.
  • Alternative Materials: Development of new materials that serve as sustainable alternatives and substitutes for traditional steel and cement.
  • Tools for Societal Impact Measurement: Tools and methods to assess the environmental and societal impact of the green industrial transition. Please note that combinations of the suggested sub-themes above are also invited.

Funding Information

• Funds will be provided in accordance with the national laws, rules, regulations, and procedures established by each funding organisation, and/or each jurisdiction/country.
  • Funding for R&D Participants in India:
    • Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, through TDB will fund the Indian side of the jointly recommended projects with the under-mentioned details:
      • Total project funding as “Grant” for Indian applicants is up to 50% with a limit of maximum of ₹150.00 Lakhs per project.
      • Indian industry may receive up to 50% of their part of the eligible cost on “Reimbursement Basis”, for cost(s) already incurred on a proportionate basis during the project implementation period after sanction of grant to the project.
      • Indian R&D organisation/Academic institution budget share of the project can range up to 50% or decided by the Project Evaluation Committee and may receive up to 100% of their costs on advance basis. Under normal circumstances, the total funding support provided to academic institutions/ R&D organisation shall not exceed the funding to the Indian Project Coordinator (IPC).
      • DST funding support for the project (includes industry support and academia/R&D organization) must be matched equally (1:1) by Indian Industry. The exact amount of funding will be approved by the Indian Project Evaluation Committee based on merit and the contribution of industry, R&D organisation, and academic partners respectively.
      • Funding from other public sector sources will be considered when awarding the grant, and applicants will be asked to declare funding from other sources in the application.
  • Funding for R&D Participants in Sweden:
    • Vinnova will provide funding to Swedish organisations up to 2.5 million Swedish Krona per project as Grant.
    • Grants are only given to Swedish legal entities or organisations with branch or place of business in Sweden.
    • The maximum aid intensity is up to:
      • 50% of eligible costs for companies, except for:
        • large companies conducting experimental development, which may receive 40%
        • start-ups, which may receive 70%
      • 100% of eligible costs for research organisations
      • 80% of eligible costs for public sector and other non-economic organisations

Duration

• Projects can have a duration of up to 24 months.

Eligible Projects

• The following types of projects will be considered for programme funding:
  • Indo-Swedish, company-lead, R&D projects, focused on co-development of new technologies, services or processes.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible Indian Applicants:
  • The Indian Project Coordinator (IPC) must be a commercial (for profit) company under the Indian Companies Act 1956/2013, which operates in and is headquartered in India.
  • At least 51% stake of the IPC Company must be owned by Indian citizen over the total duration of the project.
  • The IPC should have the required expertise and team capacity to manage the proposed project.
  • Applicants already possess basic infrastructures/test beds and developed basic Proof of Concept (PoC).
  • Sole proprietors and partnership firms are not eligible for support under this programme.
  • Companies headquartered and owned outside India and their subsidiaries in India, or vice versa, are not eligible to receive funding from DST under this programme.
  • IPC should lead the project from the Indian side and when suitable bring in other Industry Partners or Academic/R&D Institutions as Consortium Partner.
• Eligible Swedish Applicants:
  • The Swedish Project Coordinator (SPC) must be a commercial company. The SPC is responsible for the application submission in Sweden and towards Vinnova.
  • The SPC shall be a company operating and registered in Sweden. Sole proprietors and Limited partnership firms are not eligible for support under this programme.
  • The Project Leader must be employed at the SPC.
  • Swedish research performing institutions (universities, colleges, and research institutes) as well as test beds, public organisations, and other companies with operations in Sweden are encouraged to take part in the project as a Project Partner in the Consortium where relevant.

For more information, visit TDB.