The deadline for this call for proposal has now passed.
Nordic Innovation invites Nordic clusters, business networks and ecosystems to participate in our Clusters and Ecosystems As Drivers of Nordic Smart Mobility and Connectivity call for project outlines.
The purpose of this call is to foster the establishment of Nordic innovation projects, new Nordic partnerships, value chains or business models in the field of Nordic Smart Mobility and Connectivity. Through this initiative, Nordic Innovation sets out to promote sustainable growth, innovation, entrepreneurship and global competitiveness of Nordic companies. By promoting Nordic smart mobility and connectivity solutions, Nordic Innovation aims to speed up the transition to a more sustainable and connected mobile future, where quality of life is a cross-cutting aspiration.
Nordic Innovation will provide funding of NOK 200 000 to up to 10 early-stage Nordic projects related to smart mobility and connectivity, with the aim of developing the most promising initiatives to next stage large scale Nordic Innovation projects.
Deadline: 20 November 2018 at 15.00 CET
Budget: NOK 200 000
Applications: The deadline for applications has now passed.
What are we looking for?
Nordic smart mobility and connectivity is about the movement and/or connectivity of people, places (rural and urban), goods and services, assets, information and data. The term ‘mobility’ is used instead of ‘transport’ as we seek a broad approach. ‘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.
We are looking for projects that have the potential for high-impact and Nordic added value, and where joint Nordic mobility and connectivity innovation can provide solutions to global challenges.
Furthermore, projects should aim to achieve the following outcome:
- Strengthen Nordic agility and ability to adapt quickly by being frontrunners in the development of a smarter and more sustainable future of mobility, and/or
- Boost Nordic smart mobility and connectivity innovation and competitiveness, and/or
- Improve global market opportunities for Nordic smart mobility and connectivity solutions and business models
At a strategic and more general level, the following output will be of interest – however, applicants are welcome to target the opportunities or challenges they deem the most pressing:
- More integrated, seamless and innovative mobility in the Nordic region
- Nordic cities as frontrunners in implementing the future of mobility
- Speedier transition to smarter and more sustainable mobility solutions
- Increased cluster/value chain collaboration on mobility and connectivity
The applicant may suggest relevant project themes, within the above framework, but the following terms and key words may function as inspiration:
- Mobility services – from transport to mobility to livability
- Nordic smart and green mobility/transport
- Connected, cooperative and automated transport
- Next generation goods delivery
- Last mile distribution
- Seamless and accessible mobility
- Electrification
- Decarbonisation
- Sharing economy
- Test bed Norden
- New business models and new value chains
Who can apply
This is a call for proposals specifically targeting Nordic clusters, business networks and ecosystems. Nordic Innovation defines clusters in a broad sense; applicants do not necessarily need to call themselves cluster organisations.
We look for mature organisations with international activities and ambitions. The organisation can be regional, national or international.
Applicants must represent a strong business community. It is a clear advantage if the organisation is accepted in and part of a national or international cluster- or ecosystem-programme. In addition to cluster-, business network and ecosystem organisations, companies that represent an ecosystem can apply, as long as the group has shared secretariat functions.
Projects must be for the benefit of companies in the Nordic region. Companies can also be directly involved as part of the consortium, but not as project owner or project leader. This can also be a way to prepare for stage 2 where companies should play a larger role.
As we emphasise the significance of active participation of problem and technology owners, consultancies should not take the role of 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. The framework described above still applies.
Background
This call for project outlines is part of our Nordic Smart Mobility and Connectivity program. The program was launched by the Nordic ministers for business in May 2018 and is one of Nordic Innovation’s three thematic priorities for the period 2018-21. A total of NOK 60 million has been allocated to the programme.
