Call for Proposals: Nordic Tech in Action — Turning Societal Challenges into Cross-Border Solutions

Key information

Background

The Nordic region faces a wide range of societal challenges shaped by geography, climate, demography and economic structure. To name a few, these include providing reliable connectivity and services across long distances, monitoring and adapting to a changing climate and environment, and ensuring early and precise diagnosis as health systems come under growing pressure.

Many of these challenges are closely linked to the challenges facing industry. Real impact comes from creating solutions that address both. Critical technologies open new possibilities for developing such solutions. Critical technologies are technology areas that the EU considers critical for its economic security, identified in Commission Recommendation (EU) 2023/2113. They were selected for their enabling and transformative potential, meaning their capacity to drive major gains in performance and efficiency or radical change in sectors, and for their relevance to both civil and military use. In this call, we focus on civil applications that address Nordic societal and industrial challenge.  This call covers three thematic areas: space technologies, quantum technologies and other critical technologies.

Turning critical technologies into solutions that tackle both societal and industry challenges is rarely something one actor can achieve alone. It often requires collaboration between large companies and SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises). SMEs are often at the forefront of developing and applying new technologies. Large companies bring knowledge of real needs, the capacity to implement solutions at scale, and access to markets. Together, they can adapt technology to real use cases and develop solutions that benefit both industry and society. 

The key objective of the call is to support projects where large companies and SMEs work together to apply critical technologies to solve Nordic societal challenges.

The call is funded through the programme Nordic Forward: Resilience and competitiveness for 2050. The programme focuses on technology as an enabler of sustainable societal transformation and value creation, in line with the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Vision 2030.

Thematic areas

Projects must be anchored in one of three thematic areas: Space technologies, Quantum technologies or Other critical technologies. The overall objective is to use critical technology to solve societal and industrial challenges.

1. Space technology

Space technologies is a critical technology area for the Nordic region and important for strengthening the region's resilience, security and competitiveness. This was confirmed in the Nordic ministerial declaration on deepening space cooperation (October 2025), which highlights the importance of collaboration on space technology to strengthen the Nordic region's technological capacity and competitiveness.

Nordic Innovation has since published two reports that serve as the background for this thematic area: The Nordic Space Technology Ecosystem and The Nordic Space Technology Ecosystem – Country Reports. The reports show that the Nordic countries have complementary capabilities across the entire space value chain. Individually, however, each country is too small to build a globally competitive space ecosystem. By working together, the Nordic countries can play an influential role in the European and global space economy.

2. Quantum technology

Quantum technologies are key for the Nordic region to secure its digital infrastructure, strengthen its technological sovereignty and create new industrial opportunities. In the joint statement "Laying the foundation for future Nordic advancements" (25 May 2025), the Nordic Prime Ministers and Heads of Government committed to deepening Nordic cooperation in this field. As technology moves from research towards early application, there is a need to identify and test concrete use cases where it can address challenges for society and industry.

Nordic Innovation has mapped the quantum technology landscape in the region, which serves as the background for this thematic area: Nordic-Baltic Quantum Ecosystem and Mapping of Nordic-Baltic Quantum Ecosystem. The mapping shows that the Nordic countries have strong research environments and growing quantum businesses, and highlights use cases already emerging in Nordic and Baltic companies. Building on these strengths, the region has the opportunity to become a frontrunner in the development and application of quantum technologies.

3. Other critical technologies

For this call we have selected a list of other critical technologies based on Nordic and European reports and policy. These technologies are of strategic importance for the Nordic region, as they are essential for addressing societal challenges, reducing critical dependencies and remaining competitive globally.
Strengthening the position of Nordic companies in the technologies of the future is an important focus for Nordic Innovation. The Nordic countries have strong capabilities within many of these technologies, but their full value is only realised when they are applied to solve real problems.

Projects may build on one or more of the following critical technologies:

• Artificial intelligence and robotics, in particular industrial AI, physical AI and autonomous systems
• Biotechnology
• Advanced semiconductors and micro- and nanoelectronics
• Advanced and functional materials
• Advanced manufacturing technologies
• Advanced connectivity and digital infrastructure, including cloud
• Next generation energy technologies

Scope

Proposals must outline:

1. Thematic area: which of the three thematic areas the project is submitted under (space technologies, quantum technologies or other critical technologies). Each proposal can only be submitted under one thematic area.
2. Societal challenge: which challenge the project addresses, why it matters for society, and why it is relevant in a Nordic context.
3. Technological application: which technology has been chosen, and how will it be adapted and applied in a concrete use case.
4. Technological readiness: the current maturity of the solution for the specific use case (not of the technology in general), the TRL to be reached by the end of the project, how this will be achieved, and how the solution will be tested or validated in a relevant environment.
5. Implementation and scaling: the change the project aims to achieve, and how the solution will be taken into use, further developed and commercialised after the project ends.
6. Consortium: the role of each participant, and how large companies and SMEs are involved, either as consortium partners or through a plan for their involvement during the project.
7. Nordic added value: why Nordic cooperation is needed to achieve the project’s objectives, and how the project benefits the Nordic region beyond the individual partners.
8. Project plan: the main activities, milestones, deliverables, budget, and the key risks and corresponding mitigation measures.

Out of scope

The following are not eligible for funding under this call:

• Generic or broad AI applications without a clearly defined societal challenge and use case.
• Projects that mainly focus on basic research or on developing the technology itself, without a concrete use case.
• Projects that focus on defence applications.

Expected outcomes

By the end of the project period, funded projects are expected to:

• Showcase how the technological solutions has been applied and developed throughout the project 
• Show how the solution contributes to addressing the societal challenge
• Showcase a concrete plan for how the solution will be taken into use, further developed and commercialised after the project funding
• Documentation on talks with potential customers/end-users

Key facts

• Funding per project: NOK 1 000 000 – 6 000 000
• Total budget for the call: NOK 20 000 000
• Project duration: Up to 36 months
• Co-funding: Nordic Innovation covers maximum 50 % of total project costs
• Technology readiness: The solution must be between TRL 4 and 8 at project start, and the project must raise its TRL during the project period.
• Thematic areas: Space technologies, quantum technologies or other critical technologies (choose one)
• Consortium: At least one partner must be a company (a large company or an SME), and the participation of both is encouraged. If either a large company or an SME is not partner, the proposal must describe how they will be involved during the project period.
• Application intake: Rolling, until 5th of May 2027 or until funds are committed. Proposals are assessed in monthly rounds.
• Earliest project start: On signature of the grant agreement
• Latest project start: 4 months after the award letter

Who can apply & consortium composition

Proposals must be submitted by a consortium of participants with complementary expertise. The following types of organisations may participate:

• Companies
• Cluster or ecosystem organisations
• Research and innovation institutions
• Public sector organisations
• Consultancies
• Business networks

At least one consortium partner must be a company. Large companies and SMEs are both encouraged as partners. If either group is not a partner, the proposal must describe how they will be involved, for example as pilot customer, test site or advisor.

Consortium partners from outside the Nordic region are welcome to participate, but only partners from the Nordic countries can receive funding from Nordic Innovation.

The capacity and role of each participant, and the extent to which the consortium as a whole brings together the necessary expertise to implement the project, will be assessed. Particular weight will be given to the expertise and experience of the project leader.

Eligibility

Participation of at least three Nordic countries
The project must be carried out by a consortium of at least three partners from three different Nordic countries.

Financial framework and State Aid
The call has a total budget of up to NOK 20 000 000, with the ambition to fund at least three to four projects. Each project can receive a total of NOK 1 000 000 – 6 000 000 for a project period of up to three years.

Funding from Nordic Innovation must be matched or exceeded by co-funding from the project partners: Nordic Innovation funds at most 50% of the total project budget. Co-funding can be cash or in-kind, for example working hours.

The 50% co-funding requirement applies at the project level, but Nordic Innovation expects all project partners to contribute some level of co-funding. As a general indication, around 10% co-funding per partner is considered acceptable. This should be understood as guidance, not as a strict formal threshold, and is assessed in the context of the project as a whole. This applies to any type of partner, regardless of what type of entity (academic, public or private).

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.

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, our grants are divided into five parts when calculating State Aid. Only 20% of a grant counts towards the de minimis limit for any one country. Each grant recipient must declare and register its State Aid upon signature of contract.

Evaluation criteria

All proposals, in all three thematic areas, will be assessed according to the following criteria:

1. The technological solution (30 %)

• How well suited is the chosen technology to the use case and the societal challenge, and what does it offer compared to existing solutions?
• How realistic is the expected development of the solution, from its current level of maturity to the level expected at project end?
• How appropriate is the plan for testing or validating the solution in a relevant environment?

2. Impact and implementation (30 %)

• How clearly is the societal challenge defined, and how significant and relevant is it in a Nordic context?
• How clearly are the project’s objectives and expected results formulated?
• To what extent will the project benefit Nordic SMEs and industry?
• How credible is the plan for taking the results into use, further developing, scaling or commercialising them after the project period?

3. Consortium and project plan (25 %)

• How relevant and complementary are the partners, and to what extent does the consortium have the competence and capacity needed to achieve the project’s objectives?
• How well are both larger industry actors and SMEs involved, either as partners or through a clear plan for involvement?
• How realistic and coherent is the work plan, including activities, milestones, deliverables and risk management?
• Is the total budget and cost structure reasonable, realistic and in line with the ambitions of the project?

4. Nordic added value (15 %)

• To what extent is Nordic cooperation needed to achieve the project's objectives?
• To what extent will the results benefit more than one Nordic country or strengthen the Nordic region as a whole?

Evaluation method

Proposals are evaluated on a  continuous basis as they are received, until the deadline or until all funds have been committed. Proposals are assessed in monthly rounds. Proposals received by the last day of each month are assessed together in the following month.

1. Eligibility check:
Nordic Innovation checks that each proposal meets the eligibility requirements. The financial capacity of each partner may be checked. Proposals that do not meet the requirements will not be assessed further.

2. Assessment:
The applications will be reviewed by external evaluators. Eligible proposals are assessed by three individuals against the evaluation criteria. Each criterion is scored on a scale from 1 to 7, where 1 is poor with very few strengths and 7 is outstanding with negligible weaknesses. The scores are weighted according to the criteria (30 %, 30 %, 25 % and 15 %) to give a total score. 

3. Panel discussion:
Proposals with a weighted total score of 5 or higher are discussed in a panel discussion, which sets a final score and gives a recommendation to Nordic Innovation.

4. Funding decision:
Nordic Innovation makes the final funding decision, based on the final score, the panel's recommendation and the available budget:

Proposals with a final score of 6 or higher are prioritized for funding on a continuous basis, as long as funds are available.

Proposals with a weighted total score from 4 up to 5, and proposals with a final score from 5 up to 6 after panel discussion, are placed on a reserve list. If funds remain after the deadline, these proposals will be considered once all proposals have been assessed. 

Proposals with a score below 4 will not be funded.

5. Portfolio consideration:
To ensure a balanced portfolio, Nordic Innovation may also consider how a proposal complements projects that have already been funded, and whether it overlaps significantly with them.

Applicants may be invited to an interview as part of the assessment. AI tools may assist in the evaluation process.

Nordic Innovation reserves the right not to allocate the total budget and/or not to award any grants.

Submission and deadline

Proposals need to be submitted through the application portal. The call has a continuous deadline: proposals are assessed as they come in, and the final date for submission is 5th of May 2027. Funds may be fully committed before this date, in which case the call closes early.

Please attach in PDF format:  

• A project plan with key milestones/activities (e.g. Gantt chart or similar)  
• CVs for the main project participants  
• Signed letters of intent from all consortium members (template is provided) 

Please note that length restrictions apply throughout the application form.

Go to application portal