Call for

RFPs: India-Sweden Collaborative Industrial Research and Development Programme

Organisation Name:

Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India

Grant Amount: receive up to ₹150.00 Lakhs

Application Deadline:

14 November 2025

About Organisation

The Technology Development Board (TDB) is a statutory body under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, dedicated to promoting the development and commercialization of indigenous technology. It plays a key role in bridging the gap between R&D and the market by supporting innovation-driven companies in India. TDB facilitates collaborations and funding mechanisms that enable industries and researchers to transform innovative ideas into viable technological products and services.

In this specific initiative, TDB is partnering with Vinnova, Sweden’s innovation agency, to strengthen bilateral cooperation in research and development. The India-Sweden Collaborative Industrial R&D Programme aims to stimulate joint industrial innovation and promote solutions addressing pressing global challenges, particularly those related to green transition in heavy industries. By fostering partnerships between Indian and Swedish industries, R&D institutions, and academia, the program supports co-development of cutting-edge technologies with commercialization potential. This partnership reflects TDB’s commitment to global cooperation, technology advancement, and sustainable development.

About the Grant

The India-Sweden Collaborative Industrial R&D Programme 2025, jointly launched by the Technology Development Board (India) and Vinnova (Sweden), invites proposals for innovative joint R&D projects aimed at supporting green transition in the steel and cement industries. This grant focuses on projects involving co-development of new technologies, services, or processes with strong commercialization potential.

The call encourages solutions under four broad sub-themes: using AI as an enabler for emission reduction and efficiency, optimizing production processes for sustainability, developing alternative eco-friendly materials, and creating tools to measure environmental and societal impact. Projects may combine multiple sub-themes.

Funding will be provided in accordance with the regulations of each participating country. For Indian applicants, the maximum grant is ₹150.00 Lakhs per project with up to 50% funding of eligible project costs. Swedish partners may receive up to 2.5 million SEK. The projects are expected to run for a duration of up to 24 months and must be jointly led by an Indian and a Swedish company, with provisions for academic and R&D collaborators.

This programme serves as a platform for collaborative innovation, aiming to drive industrial sustainability, reduce emissions, and create impactful technological solutions.

Who can Apply?

Eligible Indian Applicants must be commercial, for-profit companies registered under the Indian Companies Act 1956/2013 and headquartered in India. The Indian Project Coordinator (IPC) should have a minimum of 51% Indian ownership throughout the project duration. Sole proprietors and partnership firms are not eligible, nor are foreign-owned or foreign-headquartered companies operating in India.

The IPC should demonstrate expertise, have an experienced team, and possess basic infrastructure and proof-of-concept (PoC) readiness. The IPC is expected to lead the project from the Indian side and may collaborate with other Indian industries or academic/R&D institutions as consortium partners.

Eligible Swedish Applicants must also be commercial companies registered and operating in Sweden. The Swedish Project Coordinator (SPC) must lead the project from the Swedish side and have the Project Leader employed at the SPC. Sole proprietorships and limited partnerships are not eligible. Swedish universities, research institutions, test beds, public organizations, and other relevant companies are welcome as project partners.

All projects must be jointly led by an Indian and a Swedish company, with co-development as the central theme. The objective should be to develop scalable, commercially viable technologies with a measurable societal and environmental impact in the steel and cement sectors.

How to Apply?

Applicants must prepare a joint proposal involving both Indian and Swedish partners. Indian applicants should submit the required documents to TDB following national guidelines, while Swedish applicants should apply through Vinnova’s system. Both sides must coordinate to ensure aligned and synchronized submissions. Proposals should highlight the project’s innovation, partnership model, sustainability goals, and commercialization potential, along with detailed budget plans and supporting documentation.

Application Deadline

The application window is open, and all proposals must be submitted by 14 November 2025. Ensure submission from both Indian and Swedish sides is completed before the deadline.

Last Date to Apply

14 November 2025 is the final date to apply. Late submissions or incomplete applications from either the Indian or Swedish side will not be considered for evaluation.

Grant Amount

Indian applicants may receive up to ₹150.00 Lakhs, covering up to 50% of eligible costs. Swedish partners may receive up to 2.5 million SEK, with aid intensity based on organization type.