Application deadline: 28 June 2019 at 13.00 CET
Funding decision: 1 September 2019
Total budget: NOK 16 million
Background
This call for proposals is combining two of four concrete action areas that currently make up Nordic Innovation’s Nordic Smart Mobility and Connectivity program. The program was launched in May 2018 and is one of Nordic Innovation’s three main programs in 2018-2021. A total of NOK 60 million has been allocated to the program.
In the autumn of 2018 Nordic Innovation launched two separate calls for project outlines:
- Quality of Life Through Nordic Smart Mobility and Connectivity
- Clusters and Ecosystems as Drivers of Nordic Smart Mobility and Connectivity
Fifteen early stage project received NOK 200 000 each through the two calls. The intention was to give potential project partners the opportunity to form a viable consortium and develop a robust idea with considerable impact. Now, in stage two, there will be one call for proposals covering two topics. It is not a pre-requisite to have participated in the call for project outlines to be able to compete for funding in this stage two call for proposals.
Purpose
The purpose of this call is to foster the establishment of Nordic innovation projects, new Nordic partnerships, value chains and/or business models in the field of Nordic Smart Mobility and Connectivity. We aim to speed up the transition to a sustainable future where Nordic citizens benefit from innovative mobility and connectivity solutions – and develop new businesses and business models, increase innovation and sustainable growth, and create a better live for citizens living in the Nordic region.
Funding
Total budget: Nordic Innovation has allocated NOK 16 million to this call for proposals
Total number of projects to be funded: 2-4 projects with up to NOK 4 million funding each from Nordic Innovation. The funding will be given in the form of a grant.
Project duration: Maximum 36 months
About the program and thematic scope of the call
Nordic smart mobility and connectivity is about the movement and connectivity of people, goods and services, assets and data. The term ‘mobility’ is used instead of ‘transport’ as we seek a broad and new approach, where moving people and goods from A to B is the central aspect, not the mode of transport, how or where it takes place. ‘Smart’ may refer to e.g. sustainability, security or digitalisation. Nordic smart mobility and connectivity is also about business development, innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable growth in this field.
Projects seeking funding should aim to increase Nordic competitiveness and boost Nordic smart mobility and connectivity innovation through achieving one or more of the following outcomes:
- Integrated, seamless and innovative mobility solutions for the Nordic region and beyond.
- Speedier transition to smarter and more sustainable mobility solutions.
- Nordic cities as frontrunners in shaping and implementing the future of mobility.
- Improved global market opportunities for Nordic smart mobility and connectivity solutions and business models.
The Nordic Smart Mobility and Connectivity program cuts across transport modes and cover both rural and urban areas. At the core of the programme lie the shared Nordic values of trust, equality, sustainability, innovation and openness, as well as the Nordic tradition of putting people first and securing accessibility for all.
Through the program and this call for proposals, Nordic Innovation is looking for projects that have the potential for creating high-impact and substantial Nordic added value, and where joint Nordic mobility and connectivity innovation can provide solutions to global challenges. We look for mobility projects that boost added value and spark innovation by combining and building on Nordic strongholds, existing or new mobility solutions. This includes innovative Nordic mobility concepts and solutions that are ready for global markets. Applicants should also note that we look to fulfil the joint Nordic vision of the Nordic region as the most integrated region in the world.
This call for proposals covers two topics:
- Seamless, integrated and people-centric mobility, or
- Sustainable, secure, energy-efficient and decarbonized mobility.
The topics may overlap, but applicants will have to state the main focus of their project in the application.
Topic 1: Seamless, integrated and people-centric mobility
New technology, as well as and changes in behaviour and demand, is transforming urban mobility as we know it today. To adapt to and manage technological changes and future needs, Nordic Innovation is looking for projects that will bring about an improved mobility landscape – optimizing and improving the way people and goods move. The projects should contribute to a seamless and integrated mobility system that considers users (both consumers and businesses), operators (of both physical assets and services), owners, financiers as well as regulators.
Areas of interest may include but are not limited to: Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS), digitalization and logistics, connected transportation systems, last mile solutions, smart infrastructure, sharing services or autonomous and electric vehicles. The projects should lead to the optimization of the mobility system by creating new business opportunities and solutions that will enable fast, smooth, accessible and affordable mobility solutions for both people and goods.
Topic 2: Sustainable, secure, energy-efficient and decarbonized mobility
Nordic Innovation wish to solicit projects that will help speed up the transition to a cleaner, more resource efficient and secure mobility sector in the Nordic region. As such, the projects shall ensure that the future of mobility will reduce the environmental impact of the transport sector, provide better and safer mobility services as well as boost the competitiveness of the Nordic mobility industry with regards to sustainable mobility/transportation.
Proposed projects can span across all modes of transportation, people or goods transport, including but not limited to: alternative energy sources, decarbonization, efficient and affordable mobility solutions, safe and secure mobility systems. The projects should lead to a Nordic mobility system that is more resource-efficient, climate-and-environmentally friendly, as well as safe and accessible for the benefit of all Nordic citizens.
Who can apply
Companies (SMEs and larger companies), public sector organizations (e.g. infrastructure owners, regulators, procurers, innovation ecosystems), cluster organizations, business networks or research institutions may apply. Please note that the involvement of industry and the direct benefit of the project for companies in the Nordic region will be part of the evaluation criteria. We are looking for consortia that show ambition, complementary strengths, competence and experience with international activities.
As we emphasize the significance of active participation of problem and technology owners, consultancies should not take the role as project owner or project leader.
Applicants seeking to build a strong Nordic base/consortium for future EU projects on mobility and connectivity, are also invited to participate in this call.
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.
General eligibility criteria
Only projects that meet all the following general eligibility criteria will be eligible for funding:
- The project must include partners from minimum three Nordic countries. The balance between the countries should be reasonable.
- Nordic Innovation requires co-funding of minimum 50%, in the form of direct funding or in-kind contributions (working hours). The total share of any in-kind contributions must be reasonable and well-balanced. The co-funding requirement applies to the project as a whole and not individual partners.
- The project period cannot exceed 36 months.
- Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or higher:
TRL 1 – basic principles observed
TRL 2 – technology concept formulated
TRL 3 – experimental proof of concept
TRL 4 – technology validated in lab
TRL 5 – technology validated in relevant environment (industrially relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies
TRL 6 – technology demonstrated in relevant environment
TRL 7 – system prototype demonstration in operational environment
TRL 8 – system complete and qualified
TRL 9 – actual system proven in operational environment
- Only applications submitted through Nordic Innovation’s application portal will be accepted.
- All applications must be within the scope of this call.
De Minimis Aid obligations
It is a requirement that all grants from Nordic Innovation comply with the aid rules of the European Union and the Agreement on the European Economic Area (The EEA Agreement). However, organisations under The Nordic Council of Ministers were given new guidelines for State Aid as of 2019, and these applies a.o. for Nordic Innovation.
The support you are being offered is being granted in compliance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 1407/2013 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid, published in the Official Journal of the European Union L 352 from 24.12.2013.
Grants from Nordic Innovation comes from the five Nordic governments and a Nordic undertaking is allowed to receive up to € 200,000 of de minimis aid from each of the Nordic Countries. Consequently, a Nordic company can receive up to 1,000,000 EUR over a rolling period of three fiscal years from Nordic Innovation under the de minimis regulation, given that the company has received no grants as De Minimis Aid prior to this grant.
Eligible costs
- Working hours
- Travel costs
- Meeting costs
- Communication
- External services
Ineligible costs
- Basic research
- Investments in individual companies
- Independent freelance activities
- Writing applications
- Costs for procurement of equipment
- Overtime costs
- Salary increases
- Indirect taxes and duties, including VAT
- “Return on capital employed”, including dividends and other distributions of profits
- Provisions for possible future losses and charges
- Costs related to any interests
- Provisions for doubtful debts
- Unnecessary or ill-considered expenses
- Marketing, sales and distribution costs for production and services
- Leasing costs (or part thereof) where the leasing arrangement has the effect of unnecessarily increasing the charge made to the project (e.g. where the cost without interest of the leased equipment is higher than if purchased).
Evaluation criteria
All applications/project outlines will be evaluated based on the following four criteria:
1. Impact (30%)
- Business level: Nordic Innovation seeks projects with the potential to create high impact for Nordic companies, in terms of business opportunities and sustainable growth, more innovation, entrepreneurship or access to new markets.
- Nordic level: Applicants should describe the Nordic added value of the project (why will it be advantageous to carry out the project at Nordic level as opposed to e.g. at national or local level).
- Societal level: Applicants must clarify how the projects will address joint societal challenges or relevant Sustainable Development Goals (e.g. 9 and 11). The projects should also have a potential for positive impact for Nordic citizens – and beyond.
- Exit strategy: All applications must demonstrate how they intend to ensure the sustainability of the project results and impact creation after the project has ended.
- Visibility: Nordic Innovation will prioritise high impact projects with a high potential for visibility. Describe how the project and its results will be disseminated or given visibility.
2. Quality and relevance (25%)
The project must show quality and relevance in regard to:
- Nordic Innovation’s mission: To contribute to sustainable growth, increased entrepreneurship, innovation and competitiveness for Nordic companies.
- The topic mobility and connectivity as described in this call.
- Cross-sectoral innovation within the topic of mobility and connectivity.
- Describe the concrete innovative result and the innovative aspects of the project (new concept, process, business model, product or service) – of relevance to the call text.
- Describe how the project addresses real market needs.
3. Competence and implementation (25%)
- The consortium must demonstrate necessary and relevant implementation capacity and competence. The role, competence and responsibility of all project partners must be described, including the key role they play in implementing the project and/or the results of the project. Short CVs (1/2 page) may be attached.
- The Nordic added value and synergies created through the consortium as a whole must be described.
- Project partners should preferably have experience with international cooperation projects.
- The project plan and management should be realistic, well-structured and clearly defined.
- The involvement of Nordic businesses and industries must be described.
4. Budget and value for money (20%)
- 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?
- A budget template will be available on Nordic Innovation’s website. This must be attached to the applications.
Application process and other requirements
All applications must be submitted via the application portal on Nordic Innovation’s website. The portal will be opened by 1 June.
All questions regarding this call for proposals will be answered through a Frequently Asked Questions section on Nordic Innovation’s website. The section will be updated on a regular basis. Questions regarding this call may be submitted to: n.egeli@nordicinnovation.org and i.josefsson@nordicinnovation.org.
Please note that the short summary of the project (re application form) may be published on Nordic Innovation's website.
Proposals can be written in English or a Scandinavian language. A summary must be provided in English.
Evaluation procedure
All applications will be evaluated by 1) A Nordic Innovation team and 2) An external Nordic evaluation panel with representatives from both the private and public sector. The final funding decision lies with Nordic Innovation. All proposals will be evaluated according to the evaluation criteria described in this call text.
Communication and reporting
Funded projects should always acknowledge the support of Nordic Innovation in external communication (media, presentations, websites etc.). Furthermore, Nordic Innovation’s logo must be visible in all communication material related to the project.
Communication material should as a main rule be based on the Nordic Council of Ministers' design manual unless something else is agreed upon in the final contract. When using social media Nordic Innovation (@nordicinno and #nordicmobility) should be tagged or mentioned.
A reporting template will be provided. Reporting will take place in accordance with the requirements of Nordic Innovation’s Standard Terms and Conditions of Contract (see below). Furthermore, Nordic Innovation will establish regular contact with the successful projects to ensure visibility and support.
