Call for Funding: Utilisation of Knowledge in Collaboration with Companies in the Food Sector or Food Related Hospitality Sector

The Food and Health collaboration platform promotes collaboration between academia and the business sector. Funded by the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth (Tillväxtverket) and Region Örebro County, the platform develops structures and methods for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation.

One collaboration model being explored is the use of test cases. Through test cases, researchers can apply their expertise directly to innovative solutions, creating tangible benefits for companies. Test cases should be in line with and contribute to the vision of Food and Health, namely that Sustainable-produced food with health benefits will be the consumer preferred choice. Focus areas may include food production or consumption, supporting the development of products, processes, or services within a company’s operations.

Some examples of cases are presented on the platform’s webpage: https://www.oru.se/samverkan/oru-innovation/samverkansplattform-mat-och-halsa/case-som-kraver-innovativa-losningar/

Purpose

The collaboration platform aims to explore methods to identify and support test cases. This call aims to support two types of initiatives:

1. Researchers with an established company contact in the food sector or food-related tourism can propose a joint idea for testing and development.
2. Researchers with knowledge or ideas that could benefit the food sector or food-related tourism but lack a company contact.

Support

• Financial support, according to the information below.
• The collaboration platform can help identify potential company partners and support the development of a test case.
• Through collaboration with the University’s Innovation Office, methodological support as well as coaching for idea development is offered.

Conditions

Funding received through this call will support test cases that start earliest March 1, 2025 (subject to signed agreements) and must conclude by April 30, 2026.

• Doctoral students and researchers employed at Örebro University during the test case period.
• For doctoral students, a certain level of involvement from supervisor is required to ensure scientific quality and alignment with other doctoral activities during the period.
• Also, applications from researchers and disciplines not previously involved in Food and Health activities are encouraged.

• Funding corresponding to 20% of a researcher’s working time over six months, including overhead (OH) and labor costs (LKP). Time allocation can be adjusted within the funding period and shared among multiple individuals.
• Travel expenses associated with the test case will be covered.
• Companies need to cover any additional costs related to the test case.

To be included in the application:

Variant 1:

• Researcher’s CV
• Brief description of the company and its operations
• Short summary of the relationship between the researcher and the company, including any prior collaboration
• Description of the idea/development to be explored in the test case (maximum one A4 page)
• Budget

Variant 2:

• Researcher’s CV
• Description of the idea/knowledge that the researcher believes could benefit the food sector or tourism industry (maximum one A4 page)
• If possible, examples of companies that may be interested, even if no contact exists.
• Budget 

Submit the application to: foodandhealth@oru.se

• Priority will be given to collaborations with companies within Örebro County.
• Significant weight will be given to feasibility based on alignment with the vision of Food and Health and potential company matches.
• Applications will be followed up with dialogues to assess the level of innovation and feasibility.
• Applications will be granted on a rolling basis.
• Decisions on test case funding will be made by the steering committee for the Food and Health collaboration platform.