Apply online before 11. February 2026, 13.00 CET
| Deadline: | 11. February 2026, 13.00 CET |
| Available Funding: | Up to 6.000.000 NOK per project |
| Funding decision: | 27. March 2026 |
| Project start: | From end April 2026 |
| Project announcement: | April 2026 |
| Webinar: | 14. October |
About the call
Nordic Innovation is calling for project proposals within two separate programs:
Innovative Solutions for 2030: The proposed projects should help speed up the green transition, demonstrating measurable effects by 2030. Possible outputs include new solutions, partnerships, strengthened value chains, or business models. Priority will be given to projects that contribute to faster commercialization of new solutions, green transition in sectors with a high impact on climate and environment, as well as to projects that demonstrate a high level of market readiness.
Nordic Forward: Resilience and Competitiveness for 2050: The aim of this program is to strengthen the Nordic region’s long-term competitiveness and resilience through the application of new technologies, deep-tech and new collaboration structures. The program will support ecosystems and value chain collaboration to solve global and Nordic societal challenges and achieve impact at a systemic level.
Applicants should note that projects should contribute to the joint Nordic Vision of making the Nordics the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030.
Funding
Nordic Innovation has allocated NOK 30 million to this call for proposals related to green and innovative solutions (program 1) and resilience and competitiveness for 2050 (program 2).
The funding sought per project can be in the range of NOK 2 000 000 – 6 000 000. This funding must be matched by co-funding that equals or exceeds the funding given by Nordic Innovation. This means, for example, that a project given 3 MNOK in funding by Nordic Innovation must secure at least 3 MNOK in co-funding, for a total project budget of at least 6 MNOK.
- The funding will be given in the form of a grant.
- Public funding, including funding from Nordic Innovation, shall not exceed 50% of total project costs.
- Nordic Innovation requires a minimum of 50% co-funding from project participants.
- Co-funding can be in the form of direct funding (capital) or in-kind contributions (working hours). The composition of the co-funding must be demonstrated in the proposal.
- The co-funding requirement of 50% applies to the project as a whole and not to individual partners. However, we expect to see some level of commitment from all project partners, meaning no project partner should have 0% co-financing.
- The total share of any in-kind contributions must be reasonable and well-balanced.
- Nordic Innovation can freely choose to split the total amount of NOK 30 million between several projects.
- Nordic Innovation reserves the right not to use the entire allocated budget.
- Nordic Innovation reserves the right not to award any funding under this call.
Innovative Solutions for 2030
2030 is drawing nearer, yet the Nordic countries are still far from meeting the climate and sustainability goals set for that year. For that reason, Innovative Solutions for 2030 is about creating real change, fast. By helping new and improved solutions reach the market and creating and sharing new knowledge – and by contributing to the development of new industrial policies, sustainable and resilient value chains for critical raw materials and technologies for strengthened Nordic autonomy and competitiveness – the program aims to speed up the green transition across the Nordic region.
The focus is on the following areas:
- Using new solutions. By promoting sustainability, economic resilience, and new ways of working, we want to accelerate the green transition in sectors with high impact on climate and environment.
- Commercialization and market introduction. By positioning the Nordic region as an attractive early market, we want to support emerging businesses and the implementation of new green solutions and technologies.
- Accelerating sustainable circular economic systems. By increasing the application of circular business models and optimizing the use of resources – including organic materials and waste streams – we want to enable more sustainable and biobased economies.
Nordic Forward: Resilience and Competitiveness for 2050
The aim of the program is to strengthen the Nordic region’s long-term competitiveness and resilience through the application of enabling technologies, and strategic collaboration structures. This may include building robust cross-border value chains, foster deep-tech business ventures and enable data-driven ecosystems. The program will support ecosystems and value chain collaboration to solve global and Nordic societal challenges and achieve impact at a systemic level.
The focus is on the following areas:
- Mobilizing Nordic stakeholders around the development, application, and strategic management of critical technologies, and facilitate joint efforts with Nordic added value.
- Strengthening the technological capabilities in the Nordics to overcome the great societal challenges.
- Supporting strategic innovation projects that address resilience, sustainability, and regional integration or security of supply.
- Establishing long term innovation structures that drive commercialization and competitiveness
Who can apply
The project partners can be:
- Companies
- Clusters
- Cluster organizations
- Ecosystems
- Public sector bodies
- Business networks
- Innovation institutions
- Consultancies
Please note that the involvement of industry and the benefit for companies in the Nordic region will be part of the evaluation criteria. We are looking for consortia that show ambition, complementary strengths and competence.
We emphasize the significance of active participation of problem and technology owners as well as industry.
Consortium partners from countries outside the Nordic region are welcome to participate, but only partners from the Nordic countries can receive funding from Nordic Innovation. Only Nordic partners will count towards the requirement of participants from a minimum of three Nordic countries at the time of applying.
Eligibility
This call is the second of two steps. However, this larger call for proposals is also open to entities that did not participate in this first step. It is not a pre-requisite to have participated in the call for project outlines from spring 2025 to be able to compete for funding in this second round.
Participation of at least three Nordic countries at the time of applying
The projects funded by Nordic Innovation require partners from at least three Nordic countries, preferably as many Nordic countries as possible.
De Minimis aid obligations
Under EU law, an undertaking may receive State Aid of up to EUR 300 000 over a three-year period (de minimis aid). Since Nordic Innovation is financed by the five Nordic governments, only 20% of a grant counts towards the de minimis limit for any one country.
Evaluation criteria
All proposals will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
Impact (40%)
- How will the project create change, clear results and scalability?
- How will the project involve industry and create benefit for companies in the Nordic region.
- How does the project create value, new business opportunities, entrepreneurship and/or sustainable growth?
- How does the project contribute to the Nordic Vision 2030 and to solving societal challenges?
- Exit strategy: All applications must demonstrate how they intend to ensure the sustainability of the project results and impact creation after the project period has ended. (e.g. market uptake, EU/private/public follow-on funding, ownership/operating model, policy integration)
Quality and relevance (25%)
- How is the project relevant to Nordic Innovation’s mission and the topics of “Innovative solutions for 2030” or “Competitiveness for 2050”?
- How does the project enable innovation that involves different sectors?
- What is the Nordic added value of the project? In other words, what is the benefit of doing this at the Nordic level rather than at the national level?
- Where relevant, the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) should be 6-9.
Implementation (25%)
- Work plan quality: Is the work plan realistic, coherent and efficient (activities, milestones, deliverables)?
- Are risks and mitigation measures well defined?
- Is the allocation of resources, roles and responsibilities appropriate and efficient?
Does the consortium demonstrate the necessary competence and capacity, with active involvement from industry and key actors from the ecosystem/value chain?
Budget and value for money (10%)
- The total budget and cost structure must be reasonable, realistic and in line with the ambitions of the project.
- A high degree of own investment in the project will be assessed positively as it demonstrates commitment to the project.
- Is the project financially viable and does it provide good value for money?
Eligible costs and activities
For projects funded under this call, eligible costs include:
- Working hours
- External services
- Equipment and material
- Travel and meeting costs
- Communication
Project funding cannot be used to fund regular operating costs.
Matchmaking and further information
Nordic Innovation will host an information webinar about this call on 14 October 2025. During the webinar, you will have the opportunity to ask questions. You can find more information and register here.
Questions can also be submitted via email (see contact information below). These questions will be answered publicly on our website in an FAQ.
The FAQ will be updated continuously.
Matchmaking
Are you looking for one or more Nordic project partners to strengthen your consortium and your proposal? Provided that there is interest from enough applicants, we will organise a series of 1-hour seminars on 12 and/or 13 November, where you will have the opportunity to present your project idea and your partner, and extend an invitation to possible new partners.
If you are interested in joining our matchmaking initiative, please fill in the form by 31 October. It is important that you indicate the topic or overall goal of your project for us to be able to organise relevant sessions for all.
Evaluation
All eligible proposals will be evaluated by a panel consisting of external and Nordic Innovation experts. The final funding decision lies with Nordic Innovation. Proposals will be evaluated according to the evaluation criteria above.
Submission
The proposal should be submitted through the application portal that will open on 1. October 2025.
Apply online before 11 February at 13:00 CEST
Please note that length restrictions apply throughout the application form. You will also be asked to attach an activity plan and short CVs for the main participants.
Contact information
Questions or other inquiries? Please reach out to:
Benedicte Sognefest, Senior Innovation Adviser: benedicte.sognefest@nordicinnovation.org
Joonas Leppänen, Senior Innovation Adviser: joonas.leppanen@nordicinnovation.org
