Research grants for fossil-free electricity generation
Grants for research into nuclear power and other fossil-free electricity generation that strengthens Sweden’s electricity supply. The 2026 application round is closed.
Αυτή η ευκαιρία είναι προς το παρόν διαθέσιμη στα Αγγλικά.
This call within Framtidens elsystem supports research and innovation for an electricity supply that can withstand and recover from disruption. Its two categories cover nuclear power, including new reactor designs and fusion, and other fossil-free generation: hydropower, pumped storage, wind, solar, ocean energy, combined heat and power, and hydrogen’s role in electricity generation.
The 2026 call had approximately SEK 270 million available across all projects. Its intended split was about SEK 170 million for nuclear power and SEK 100 million for other generation; the split could change with applications received. These are call budgets, not amounts per project.
The grant pays a share of each participant’s eligible project costs. For research outside economic activity—work that does not supply goods or services on a market—the maximum is 100%. For companies, the following maximum percentages apply to eligible costs, in the order small / medium / large company:
- Studies assessing a project’s feasibility: 70% / 60% / 50%.
- Fundamental research seeking new knowledge without a direct commercial application: 100% for all sizes.
- Research to gain knowledge for new or substantially improved products, processes or services: 70% / 60% / 50%.
- Development using existing knowledge to create or improve products, processes or services, including testing and prototypes: 45% / 35% / 25%. Routine or recurring changes are excluded.
Small companies have fewer than 50 employees and annual turnover or a balance-sheet total of at most EUR 10 million. Medium companies have fewer than 250 employees and turnover of at most EUR 50 million or a balance-sheet total of at most EUR 43 million. The staff count includes working owners who are not employees and consultants dependent on the company, as well as employees. Linked companies and ownership relationships affect the calculation; crossing a threshold normally requires two consecutive years.
Companies must cover the remainder themselves or through other private cash financing. Another organisation’s contribution in kind, such as staff time rather than money, cannot cover the company’s own costs. Energimyndigheten may require more co-financing than these maximum rates imply, including for non-economic research. Unspent grant money must be returned; incorrectly awarded support or breaches of conditions can also lead to recovery.
Eligibility
Companies that are legal entities, public bodies, universities and research institutes can apply. Individuals and sole traders cannot. Collaboration between business, academia and research institutes is welcomed.
Participants normally have operations in Sweden. An organisation without Swedish operations can receive funding exceptionally only if it has unique expertise unavailable in Sweden, the project is essential to the programme’s goals, and knowledge can clearly be transferred to Swedish organisations. Energimyndigheten may still refuse funding even when all three conditions are met.
The project must contribute to resilient fossil-free electricity generation and at least one programme outcome: improved generation or security of supply; fewer conflicts between interests; understanding of effects on different social groups; Swedish export opportunities; potential innovative products or services; or stronger skills and competitiveness. Assessment also considers scientific quality or innovation, a realistic work plan and budget, relevant skills, gender and equality considerations, and a plan to use and share the results.
Eligible research costs include staff working on the project, equipment and premises for their project use, contracted research and specialist services, and directly related operating costs. Only the share of building depreciation corresponding to the project period qualifies; the same limit applies to equipment that is not used throughout the project’s life. Costs must be the recipient’s actual, auditable costs incurred within the project period in the funding decision. One project partner cannot act as another partner’s subcontractor. For consultants employed by a group company, associated company or a company controlled by a related person, eligible costs are limited to the employer’s actual salary and payroll-related costs and must be separately reported as purchased services.
For overheads, universities use their full-cost accounting method. State-controlled research companies, research foundations with government-appointed board members, and government agencies required to conduct their own research may claim actual overheads up to 45% of eligible salary costs for non-economic work, provided they receive government funding for independent research and separately account for any economic work. Companies’ economic work has a 30% limit.
Patent and intellectual-property work needs its own work package. Patent-cost support is capped at SEK 250,000 per project, is limited to qualifying small and medium companies, and excludes annual Patent and Registration Office fees. Separate from the research and development rates above, innovation support for small and medium companies pays up to 50% of eligible costs for work such as obtaining or defending patents and buying innovation advice or supporting services. For those companies, advice on protecting intellectual property or adopting innovative technology, and services such as testing or certification to develop more efficient or technically advanced products, processes or services, can receive up to 100%. This higher rate requires total aid for innovation advice and supporting services to stay within EUR 220,000 per company over three years. Applicants must disclose previous aid for those services.
Tell Energimyndigheten about public or directly managed EU funding sought, received or planned for the same costs. Combined public aid must stay within the applicable limits. The project leader must also promptly report other project financing and changes to financing in writing.
Grant recipients report progress as required by the decision. A participant receiving at least SEK 3 million needs an auditor’s certificate with the final report; Energimyndigheten can also request one below that amount. Municipalities, regions, government agencies and universities may use an internal auditor. Project changes require an advance application; transfers between cost categories require one when they exceed both 10% and SEK 50,000.
How to apply
- Κατάσταση
- κλειστό
- Κλείνει
- Όροι του κύκλου αιτήσεων
- The 2026 call is closed; the terms on this page describe that round.
The 2026 round closed on 28 April. Its projects may start no earlier than 1 November 2026 and must finish by 31 December 2029. The wider Framtidens elsystem programme runs through 2029 and plans at least two calls per year; those calls can cover different electricity-system topics.
For future programme calls, use the official Framtidens elsystem page and its call subscription. The 2026 application route was Mina sidor’s “Finansiering av forskning, innovation och affärsutveckling” service. The person submitting first needed permission to represent the coordinating organisation, which receives and distributes the grant. Applications used the service’s form, with CVs of no more than one A4 page each for the project leader and other key people; the project description belonged in the form, not an attachment.
If you applied, follow your case in Mina sidor. Payments follow the schedule in the funding decision.