VERKET FOR INNOVATIONSSYSTEM

Their core work

VINNOVA is Sweden's government agency for innovation, responsible for funding and coordinating national research and innovation programs. In H2020, VINNOVA's primary role is co-funding ERA-NET schemes — pooling Swedish national research budgets with other European funding agencies to launch joint transnational calls. Their participation spans raw materials, smart cities, advanced materials, forestry bioeconomy, and rare diseases, effectively acting as Sweden's bridge between national R&D priorities and European research coordination. They do not conduct research themselves; they design funding instruments, set strategic priorities, and ensure Swedish researchers can access cross-border collaboration opportunities.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2014–2018, VINNOVA focused on framework-level activities: building NCP networks (SiS.net2), promoting Responsible Research and Innovation, and early ERA-NET participation in smart cities and materials. From 2019 onward, their portfolio shifted decisively toward circular economy, raw materials security, battery technologies, and Green Deal alignment — reflecting both EU strategic priorities and Sweden's industrial strengths. The jump from M-ERA.NET 2 (EUR 60K) to M-ERA.NET3 (EUR 919K) shows a dramatic scaling of commitment to materials and battery research coordination.

VINNOVA is concentrating its European co-funding muscle on Green Deal-aligned topics — expect them to be a key funding partner in Horizon Europe calls on raw materials, batteries, and sustainable manufacturing.

How they like to work

VINNOVA participates exclusively as a partner, never as coordinator — consistent with its role as a national funding agency contributing co-funding rather than leading research. With 267 unique partners across 50 countries, they operate as a high-connectivity hub in enormous ERA-NET consortia, connecting to virtually every research-active country in Europe and beyond. Working with VINNOVA means accessing Sweden's national funding streams and their extensive network of co-funding agencies across the continent.

With 267 unique consortium partners across 50 countries, VINNOVA has one of the broadest collaboration networks of any single H2020 participant — a direct result of ERA-NET membership, where each project connects 20-40 national funding agencies and ministries from across Europe and associated countries.

What sets them apart

VINNOVA is not a research performer — it is a research funder and strategic coordinator. Partnering with them means accessing Swedish national co-funding for joint transnational calls, which can unlock budgets that pure EU funding cannot. For consortium builders, VINNOVA's involvement signals that Sweden considers the topic a national priority, which adds political weight and ensures Swedish research groups will have funded participation.

Highlights from their portfolio

• M-ERA.NET3
  Their largest single project (EUR 919K) and a clear strategic bet on advanced materials and battery technologies aligned with the Green Deal.
• EJP RD
  Their only health-sector project (EUR 438K), a European Joint Programme on rare diseases covering FAIR data and patient empowerment — showing reach beyond their core materials focus.
• ERA-MIN3
  Continuation of ERA-MIN 2 into Horizon Europe transition, demonstrating long-term commitment to raw materials and circular economy as a sustained policy priority.