Expert support for Swedish SMEs for Horizon Europa, Eurostars and the Innovation Fund

European cooperation in research and innovation is of great importance to Sweden’s business life, increasing the possibility of solving common societal challenges with the help of new knowledge and innovation.

Therefore, the Swedish government has decided on a national strategy to strengthen Sweden’s participation in Horizon Europe, which is the EU’s largest framework program for research and innovation, with a budget of €95.5 billion.

In order for Sweden to continue to be a leading actor in global competition, Vinnova, the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, and the Swedish Energy Agency – EUSME Support Office, offer financial support. EUSME Support also offers free expert advice to innovative Swedish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the aim of stimulating, facilitating and increasing Swedish participation in the EU programs Horizon Europe, Eurostars and the Innovation Fund.

SMEs often have limited resources to, among other things, find the right financing tools, interpret regulations and submit a successful application. With the support of EUSME Support, SMEs can, discuss their ideas and find relevant EU programs and calls for proposals, learn how to write a competitive application and receive feedback on the application, prepare for the interview with the EIC Jury and receive guidance when registering in the application portals. After project approval, EUSME Support can also support with project initiation, implementation, reporting and preparation for an audit.

The organizations that participate in EUSME Support are represented all over Sweden and have experience and competence in both EU applications and projects as well as business coaching. Many participants in EUSME Support are also connected to the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), where small and medium-sized companies can receive information, advice and some business coaching, as well as find partners for projects.

Project partners and financiers
Project participants in EUSME Support are RISE (coordinator), Chalmers Industriteknik, LTU Business, Uminova Innovation, IVL Swedish Environmental Institute and ALMI Företagspartner Skåne.

The project is a procured service which was started on 1 July 2021 and runs over 12 months with the possibility of being extended until 30 June 2025 at the latest. The project is financed by Vinnova, the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, and the Swedish Energy Agency.