Seed funding
Seed funding is intended to be used to start new collaborations or expand existing ones or to apply for funding from the EU and other sources. Projects must create conditions for lasting relations between organizations with common ownership.
The financial support from SI is combined with advice in the form of dialogue with SI’s Program Managers. The application must identify sources of continued funding. It is very important to first read through all the information here on the website and e-mail one of our Program Managers to discuss the project idea before an application is submitted.
The initiative for a project may come from a Swedish or foreign organization, but only Swedish organizations may apply for financial support and be the project owner. Funding may also cover an additional component in an ongoing collaboration, for instance integrating Russian, Belarus or Ukrainian parties in an ongoing EU project.
Unless there are special circumstances, the maximum amount granted is
SEK 440,000.
SI aims to give a response to the applicant about a month after the application for seed funding is received. There is a break in July and August, during which time no project funding is awarded. As a rule, the project should be carried out within one year. For applications granted funding, the funds should be promptly disbursed by SI once a positive decision has been made.
Swedish organizations may submit ideas, questions and applications to SI at any time during the year, and SI’s Program Managers are happy to dialogue with the project owner about the project design.
For 2012, priority will be given to projects in the following areas:
1. Environment and energy – water purification, eutrophication, biological diversity, toxic substances, waste management, recycling, energy efficiency, renewable energy and the environmental impact of agriculture and forestry. Projects should be based on the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan and develop action-oriented partnerships in contact with research environments.
2. Social issues and health – infectious diseases, resistance to antibiotics and the development of health care systems, including primary care.
3. Civil safety and security – crisis preparedness, cooperation between law enforcement agencies and safety at sea. Projects should collect and disseminate knowledge about civil safety and security.
4. Innovation and regional development – energy and environmental technology, ICT and health issues. Projects should create conditions for cross-border collaboration with a clear added value for sustainable development in the Baltic Sea region and contribute to the development of coastal and rural areas.
An agreement is written up in conjunction with the disbursement receipt of funds, which specifies the terms and conditions for the funds received. After the project ends, a final account of the project is provided by the project owner, and SI checks the results and financial reporting for the project. The project budget must be transparent, and budget items must be clearly defined. The funds should finance direct costs incurred by the organization for carrying out the activity. The project owner may only receive funding for the cost items included in the agreement with SI and specified in the decision. Applications for seed funding can be submitted during the whole year.
It is very important that you first read through all the information here on the website and e-mail one of our Program Managers before you submit an application. By contacting one of our Program Managers, you can get valuable information about what types of projects we can fund and the best way to fill out your application. You can also get help finding the right partner to collaborate with or what continued funding is available once the project period ends.