The India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026 is a new international funding opportunity for Indian and Finnish companies working together on commercially promising technologies.

The call is being jointly implemented by India's Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Business Finland, the Finnish government innovation funding agency. On the Indian side, the Technology Development Board (TDB) will implement the programme on behalf of DST.

The programme focuses on three broad areas:

• Sustainable energy
• Advanced digital technologies
• Microelectronics and power electronics

The opportunity is designed for projects that can move beyond research and development into practical products, processes or services.

That commercial focus is important.

This is not simply a research grant for universities. The Indian side must be led by an eligible for-profit Indian company. Finnish companies of all sizes can participate, while eligible Finnish research organisations can also take part when they have sufficient company involvement.

Up to six projects can be supported.

Each project can run for a maximum of 24 months.

For successful Indian applicants, DST can provide up to ₹2.5 crore per project, or 50% of the eligible Indian project cost, whichever is lower. The funding is provided as a grant and is paid on a reimbursement basis for eligible costs already incurred.

The application deadline is 28 August 2026.

Indian applicants must submit by 4:00 PM Indian time, while Finnish applicants must submit by 11:59 PM Finnish time on the same date. Both partners must submit separate national applications. One partner submitting alone is not enough.

What Is the India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026?

The India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026 is a bilateral technology funding programme.

It brings together Indian companies and Finnish companies or eligible research organisations to develop new or improved technologies with a clear path towards commercialisation.

The cooperation is based on an Implementation Arrangement between India's Department of Science and Technology and Business Finland, under Finland's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.

The programme encourages companies in both countries to combine their strengths.

An Indian company may understand the Indian market and have manufacturing capacity.

A Finnish company may have specialised technology, engineering expertise or access to European markets.

Together, the partners can develop a product or service that neither company could develop as effectively on its own.

That is the central idea behind the call.

The project must therefore be genuinely joint.

It should not be an Indian project with a Finnish company added only to satisfy the international requirement.

Likewise, it should not be a Finnish project with an Indian company playing a minor role.

The two sides should have clearly defined technical responsibilities and complementary capabilities.

What Is the Main Objective of the India-Finland Joint Innovation Call?

The main objective is to support market-driven innovation and international technology development between India and Finland.

The call specifically requires projects to be innovative and market-oriented.

Successful projects should aim to develop:

• A new product;
• A new process;
• A new technology;
• A new service;
• An improved product;
• An improved process; or
• An improved service.

The project should also have a realistic route towards commercialisation.

This means that applicants should think about the customer from the beginning.

Who will use the technology?

What problem does it solve?

Why would a customer pay for it?

How large is the market?

What needs to happen before the technology can be sold?

What role will each partner play after the project ends?

These questions are just as important as the technical research.

Who Is Implementing the Programme?

The programme has three key institutions.

Department of Science and Technology

India's Department of Science and Technology, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, is the Indian government agency behind the call.

DST provides the Indian funding framework.

Technology Development Board

The Technology Development Board, or TDB, will implement the programme on behalf of DST.

Indian applicants submit their applications through TDB.

Business Finland

Business Finland manages the Finnish side.

Finnish applicants submit their applications through Business Finland's online funding system.

Business Finland evaluates Finnish applicants according to its normal funding rules.

What Are the Priority Areas?

The India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026 has three main technology areas.

1. Sustainable Energy

The first priority area is sustainable energy.

The call gives several examples of technologies that can fall within this area.

These include:

• Renewable energy
• Smart cities
• Hydrogen technologies
• Waste management
• Waste-to-energy
• Electric vehicles
• Carbon capture
• Energy storage
• Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems
• Virtual Power Plants
• Heat pumps and heat-pump plants

The list is not necessarily exhaustive.

The wording of the call indicates that these are examples of relevant cooperation areas.

The key question is whether the proposed innovation fits the broader sustainable-energy theme.

Renewable Energy

Companies working on renewable energy technologies can use the programme to develop new solutions with Finnish partners.

Potential projects could focus on improving energy generation, storage, integration or efficiency.

The important point is that the project should involve genuine innovation.

A company should not simply propose installing an existing solar system.

Instead, it could develop a new technology that improves efficiency, reduces costs or solves a specific deployment problem.

Smart Cities

Smart-city technology is another area of interest.

Projects could combine energy systems, digital technologies, sensors, mobility solutions and data platforms.

The strongest projects are likely to connect technology development with a clear urban problem.

For example, a project could develop technology that helps cities manage distributed energy resources more efficiently.

Hydrogen Technologies

Hydrogen is another major priority.

Projects could involve hydrogen production, storage, distribution, monitoring or applications.

Companies working on hydrogen equipment and related digital systems may find opportunities to collaborate with Finnish partners.

Waste Management and Waste-to-Energy

Waste management is also included.

This could cover technologies that improve waste collection, processing, sorting, recovery or energy generation.

A project could combine Indian waste-management experience with Finnish process technology.

Electric Vehicles

Electric mobility is specifically listed.

Relevant projects could include:

• EV charging;
• Battery systems;
• Energy management;
• Vehicle-to-grid technologies;
• Charging infrastructure;
• EV components;
• Energy optimisation;
• Smart mobility.

The proposal should show a clear technology-development component.

Carbon Capture

Carbon capture is another eligible area.

Companies working on carbon capture equipment, monitoring systems, industrial processes or related technologies can explore collaboration with Finnish partners.

Energy Storage

Energy storage is particularly relevant to renewable energy.

Projects could address battery systems, thermal storage or other technologies that improve how electricity is stored and delivered.

Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems

The call also identifies DERMS.

These systems help manage distributed energy resources across a network.

This becomes increasingly important as electricity systems include more solar power, batteries, electric vehicles and other distributed resources.

Virtual Power Plants

The programme also includes Virtual Power Plants, or VPPs.

A VPP connects multiple distributed energy resources and manages them as a coordinated system.

Digital controls, data systems and energy-market integration can all play a role.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are specifically mentioned as another sustainable-energy opportunity.

Projects can focus on improving heat-pump technology, efficiency, control systems or large-scale applications.

2. Advanced Digital Technologies

The second priority area is advanced digital technologies.

The call specifically mentions:

• 5G and 6G networks;
• Advanced data analytics;
• Virtual worlds;
• Artificial intelligence in the context of the call's thematic areas.

This area creates opportunities for technology companies working across telecommunications, data and digital systems.

5G and 6G

Companies developing advanced communication technologies can collaborate on new applications and infrastructure.

Potential areas include:

• Network optimisation;
• Industrial connectivity;
• Low-latency applications;
• Smart infrastructure;
• Connected devices;
• Edge computing;
• Industrial automation.

The proposal should connect the communication technology to a clear commercial use case.

Advanced Data Analytics

Data analytics can support many of the other priority areas.

For example, data analytics can be used to:

• Predict energy demand;
• Improve renewable-energy output;
• Monitor industrial systems;
• Optimise waste collection;
• Improve transport systems;
• Manage energy storage;
• Detect equipment failures.

The strongest applications will show how the analytics solution solves a real commercial problem.

Virtual Worlds

Virtual-world technologies are also included.

This could cover industrial simulation, digital environments, training systems and other immersive applications.

A project should show why the technology provides a meaningful advantage over existing solutions.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is included within the advanced digital technology priority.

However, applicants should not assume that any AI project will automatically qualify.

The call connects AI to the thematic focus.

Therefore, a proposal should clearly link its AI technology to sustainable energy, advanced digital systems, microelectronics or power electronics.

For example, an AI system that predicts failures in renewable-energy equipment would have a much clearer connection to the call than a generic chatbot.

3. Microelectronics and Power Electronics

The third priority area covers microelectronics and power electronics.

The call specifically mentions:

• MEMS
• Sensors

This is an important area because sensors and microelectronic systems sit underneath many modern technologies.

They support:

• Smart energy;
• Industrial automation;
• Connected devices;
• Electric vehicles;
• Healthcare technology;
• Environmental monitoring;
• Telecommunications;
• Manufacturing.

Companies developing sensors or MEMS technologies can therefore explore partnerships with Finnish organisations that bring complementary capabilities.

How Many Projects Will Be Funded?

The programme expects to fund a maximum of six projects.

Each project can last up to 24 months.

This makes the programme competitive.

There is no indication that every eligible application will receive funding.

The project must pass the evaluation process in both countries.

Therefore, meeting the eligibility requirements is only the first step.

The technical idea, commercial potential, partnership structure and implementation plan must also be convincing.

How Much Funding Is Available?

The Indian side provides up to ₹2.5 crore per project.

However, there is an important second limit.

The grant cannot exceed 50% of the eligible Indian project cost.

The lower amount applies.

For example, suppose the eligible Indian project cost is ₹4 crore.

Fifty percent would be ₹2 crore.

The applicant could therefore receive up to ₹2 crore, assuming the project is fully approved.

If the eligible Indian project cost is ₹6 crore, 50% would be ₹3 crore.

However, the programme has a ₹2.5 crore ceiling.

The maximum grant would therefore be ₹2.5 crore.

This means the Indian applicant must finance the remaining project costs.

Is the Indian Funding Equity-Free?

The call describes the Indian support as a grant.

The funding is provided on a reimbursement basis for eligible costs already incurred, proportionately.

Therefore, applicants should consider their cash-flow position carefully.

Receiving approval does not mean the entire grant arrives upfront.

The company needs to be capable of financing eligible expenditure and then claiming reimbursement according to the programme's rules.

This is particularly important for smaller companies.

A strong project can still face financial pressure if the applicant does not plan its working capital properly.

Is There Funding for Finnish Partners?

Yes.

Business Finland will provide funding to eligible Finnish participants.

However, unlike the Indian side, the funding allocation for the call is not fixed.

It depends on the number of qualified applications and the content of individual projects.

Normal Business Finland funding rules apply.

Finnish SMEs and midcaps can apply under the relevant Business Finland R&D funding framework.

Large companies have separate funding arrangements.

Research organisations can participate through the relevant Co-Research framework when they have appropriate company support.

Finnish applicants are strongly encouraged to consult Business Finland before applying.

Who Can Apply From India?

The Indian eligibility rules are quite specific.

The Indian Project Lead, or IPL, must be a commercial for-profit company.

The company must be:

• Registered under the Indian Companies Act 1956 or 2013;
• Operating in India;
• Headquartered in India;
• At least 51% owned by Indian citizens;
• Capable of carrying out the proposed R&D work;
• Able to demonstrate the expertise and team capacity needed to manage the project.

The IPL is the main Indian company responsible for leading the project.

It can also bring other industry partners into the project where necessary.

Which Indian Business Structures Are Not Eligible?

The call specifically excludes several types of entities from receiving support.

The following are not eligible as Indian Project Leads:

• LLPs;
• Sole proprietorships;
• One Person Companies;
• Partnership firms.

This is an important point for startups.

A startup may have a strong technology and a good product.

But if it is structured as an LLP or OPC, it cannot serve as the Indian Project Lead under this call.

The business structure therefore matters before application.

Can a Foreign-Owned Indian Subsidiary Apply?

The call excludes companies that are headquartered and owned outside India and their Indian subsidiaries, as well as companies that fall under the reverse structure described in the eligibility rules.

The purpose is to ensure that the Indian funding supports genuinely Indian-led companies.

Applicants should therefore examine their ownership structure carefully.

A company should not assume that having an Indian registration automatically makes it eligible.

The 51% Indian ownership requirement also applies to the Indian Project Lead.

Who Can Apply From Finland?

Finnish eligibility is broader.

The call allows companies of all sizes registered in Finland, provided they can demonstrate sufficient resources and capabilities for international innovation cooperation.

Eligible Finnish research organisations can also participate when they have sufficient company support.

This creates room for:

• Finnish startups;
• SMEs;
• Mid-sized companies;
• Large companies;
• Research organisations working with companies.

The Finnish applicant must still satisfy Business Finland's normal funding requirements.

Does the Project Need Both Indian and Finnish Partners?

Yes.

This is one of the most important conditions.

The project is bilateral.

Indian and Finnish partners must work together on the same innovation project.

Each side must submit its own national application.

Submitting only in India does not create a valid application.

Submitting only in Finland does not create a valid application either.

Both applications must be connected to the same joint project plan.

What Is the Joint Application Form?

The partners must use the dedicated BF-DST Joint Application Form 2026.

The form describes the joint project and clearly sets out the work of each partner.

It also covers areas such as:

• Intellectual property;
• Commercialisation;
• Partner responsibilities;
• Project activities.

The same joint project structure needs to make sense to both funding agencies.

This means that Indian and Finnish partners should prepare the proposal together.

One partner should not write the entire application and send it to the other side for a signature.

That approach can create inconsistencies.

Why Commercialisation Matters So Much

The India-Finland Joint Innovation Call is strongly focused on commercial outcomes.

The official criteria state that projects should be innovative and market-driven.

The expected result should be a new or improved product, process or service that can move towards commercialisation.

Therefore, a proposal should answer questions such as:

What are you developing?

Who will buy it?

What problem does it solve?

What makes it different?

What stage is the technology currently at?

What will be achieved during the 24-month project?

What happens after the project ends?

Which market will the partners enter?

A technically impressive project can still be weak if it has no clear commercial path.

What Does a Good India-Finland Partnership Look Like?

The ideal partnership combines complementary strengths.

For example, an Indian company might have:

• Manufacturing capacity;
• Access to Indian customers;
• Knowledge of local market requirements;
• Large-scale deployment experience;
• Cost-efficient engineering;
• A strong distribution network.

The Finnish partner might contribute:

• Specialised technology;
• Advanced R&D;
• Product engineering;
• European market access;
• Testing capabilities;
• Industrial design;
• Advanced materials expertise.

Together, the partners can create something that has value in both markets.

This is much stronger than simply saying that the companies want to "collaborate internationally."

Does the Work of Both Partners Need to Be Balanced?

The call says that, in terms of R&D work volumes, the contributions of Finnish participants are expected to be in balance with the Indian project counterparts.

This does not necessarily mean that both sides must spend exactly the same amount.

Instead, the research contribution should be meaningful on both sides.

Each partner should have a real technical role.

For example:

Indian partner: field testing, manufacturing prototype, local data collection and market validation.

Finnish partner: technology development, laboratory testing and system optimisation.

That is a genuine partnership.

A situation where one partner performs nearly all technical work while the other only provides a name would be much harder to justify.

What Is the Project Duration?

The maximum project period is 24 months.

Applicants should use the two-year period carefully.

A project plan could be structured around stages such as:

Phase 1: Technical Design

Define requirements, technical architecture and development targets.

Phase 2: Joint R&D

Partners develop and test the technology.

Phase 3: Prototype Development

Build the first working prototype.

Phase 4: Testing

Test the product in relevant environments.

Phase 5: Field Validation

Demonstrate the technology with customers or industrial users.

Phase 6: Commercial Preparation

Prepare manufacturing, regulatory approval, market entry and commercial partnerships.

The exact structure will depend on the project.

What Happens After the Project?

The project should have a commercial future.

Applicants should explain how the technology will move from R&D to market.

Possible outcomes include:

• Commercial launch;
• Licensing;
• Joint manufacturing;
• Technology transfer;
• Strategic partnership;
• New company formation;
• Expansion into European markets;
• Expansion into India;
• Further private investment.

The call specifically links successful projects to commercialisation.

Therefore, the commercial plan should not be treated as an afterthought.

Intellectual Property Is Important

The application must address intellectual property.

The joint application form includes IPR and commercialisation considerations.

The call also requires a signed Consortium Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding, with particular attention to IP issues.

This is important because joint R&D can create valuable intellectual property.

Before development begins, the partners should agree on:

• Who owns existing IP;
• Who owns newly developed IP;
• How joint IP will be protected;
• Who pays patent costs;
• Who can commercialise the technology;
• Where the technology can be sold;
• How licensing income will be shared;
• What happens if one partner leaves the project.

These issues should be settled early.

A disagreement over IP can damage a project even after significant technical progress has been made.

How Are Projects Selected?

The project must pass evaluation in both countries.

Indian applications are evaluated by DST/TDB.

Finnish applications are evaluated by Business Finland.

Only projects approved on both sides are eligible for bilateral funding.

This creates an important strategic lesson.

A proposal should not be written only to satisfy the Indian agency.

It must also make sense from the Finnish perspective.

The same applies in reverse.

The project should demonstrate value for both countries.

What Will Reviewers Look For?

The official joint selection criteria emphasise two major points.

Innovation and Market Orientation

The project must be genuinely innovative.

It should lead towards a new or improved product, process or service.

The project should also have commercial potential.

Team Capacity

The proposal must demonstrate that the joint India-Finland team can manage the project effectively in their respective countries.

That means the proposal should explain:

• Who is responsible for each work package?
• Who has the technical skills?
• Who manages the project?
• What facilities are available?
• Who will perform testing?
• Who will manage commercialisation?
• How will the partners communicate?
• How will decisions be made?

What Makes a Strong Proposal?

A strong India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026 proposal should have five qualities.

1. A Real Problem

Start with a problem that customers actually face.

For example:

"Industrial customers lose significant energy because their equipment cannot adjust power consumption in real time."

That is stronger than:

"We want to develop an innovative energy platform."

2. A Clear Solution

Explain what the partners will build.

3. Complementary Partners

Show why the Indian and Finnish companies need each other.

4. A Commercial Customer

Identify potential users or buyers.

5. A Realistic Development Plan

Show how the technology will move from its current stage to a market-ready product.

Examples of Potential Project Ideas

The call covers a wide range of technologies.

Here are examples of projects that could fit the themes.

Smart Energy Management Platform

An Indian energy technology company could work with a Finnish digital-energy company to develop a platform for managing distributed solar, batteries, EV chargers and industrial loads.

Hydrogen Monitoring System

A Finnish sensor company could collaborate with an Indian hydrogen company to develop sensors that monitor hydrogen systems for safety and efficiency.

AI-Based Renewable Energy Forecasting

An Indian renewable-energy company could partner with a Finnish data analytics company to improve power-generation forecasts.

Smart EV Charging

An Indian EV infrastructure company could collaborate with a Finnish technology company to develop intelligent charging systems that balance grid demand.

Waste-to-Energy Technology

An Indian waste-management company could work with a Finnish technology partner to develop more efficient waste conversion systems.

Advanced Industrial Sensors

A Finnish MEMS developer could partner with an Indian industrial technology company to develop low-cost sensors for factories.

5G Industrial Monitoring

Indian industrial companies could work with Finnish connectivity specialists on low-latency industrial monitoring systems.

AI for Energy Storage

An Indian battery company could collaborate with a Finnish software company to develop predictive systems for battery performance and energy storage management.

These are examples rather than guaranteed eligible projects.

The final proposal must clearly match the call's scope and demonstrate innovation and commercial value.

What Indian Startups Should Know

The call can be attractive to Indian startups.

However, eligibility is determined by the company's legal structure and ownership.

A startup can potentially qualify if it is an eligible for-profit company registered under the Companies Act and meets the ownership and other requirements.

But an LLP, sole proprietorship or OPC cannot serve as the Indian Project Lead under this programme.

Startups should therefore check their incorporation structure before investing significant time in the application.

Can Research Organisations Participate?

The Indian call is structured around an Indian Project Lead that must be a commercial company.

The TDB requirements therefore make the Indian industry partner central to the project.

On the Finnish side, research organisations can participate if they have sufficient company support under Business Finland's Co-Research rules.

This creates opportunities for universities and research institutes to contribute specialist research capabilities.

However, the project must remain market-driven.

A purely academic project is unlikely to fit the core purpose of the call.

Application Process for Indian Applicants

The Indian application follows a one-phase process.

Applicants should begin by identifying a Finnish partner.

Once the partners agree on the project, they should jointly prepare the BF-DST Joint Application Form.

The Indian Project Lead then submits the Indian application through TDB.

The Finnish partner submits its own application to Business Finland.

Both applications must correspond to the same joint project.

Step 1: Find a Finnish Partner

The first step is finding a Finnish company or eligible research organisation with complementary expertise.

Do this early.

Step 2: Define the Joint Technology

Agree on the exact product, process or service to be developed.

Step 3: Divide the Work

Clearly state what India will do and what Finland will do.

Step 4: Agree on Commercialisation

Discuss the target market and business model.

Step 5: Resolve IP

Sign the required Consortium Agreement or MoU.

Step 6: Prepare the Joint Application Form

Use the dedicated BF-DST Joint Application Form 2026.

Step 7: Submit the Indian Application

Submit through the TDB application system before the Indian deadline.

Step 8: Submit the Finnish Application

The Finnish partner must separately submit through Business Finland's online system.

It should select "Suomi-Intia-haku", meaning the Finland-India call, under the relevant programme section.

Important Application Deadline

The call opened on 1 April 2026.

The deadline is 28 August 2026.

For India, TDB states that applications must be submitted by:

4:00 PM Indian time on 28 August 2026.

For Finland, Business Finland's deadline is:

11:59 PM Finnish time on 28 August 2026.

The deadline is also confirmed on the Department of Science and Technology's call listing and the CSIR announcement.

Because the deadline is very close, companies that have not yet found a partner should move quickly.

When Will the Results Be Announced?

The bilateral funding decisions are expected by the end of 2026.

Projects are expected to begin in January 2027.

These dates are expected programme milestones, so applicants should still monitor official communications for changes.

What Documents Should Applicants Prepare?

The exact national documentation should be checked against the TDB and Business Finland application instructions.

However, the joint application needs to establish several key areas.

Applicants should be prepared to provide information on:

• Company details;
• Project objectives;
• Technical approach;
• Partner roles;
• R&D activities;
• Project costs;
• Commercialisation;
• Intellectual property;
• Market opportunity;
• Project management;
• Expected results;
• Timeline;
• Consortium arrangements.

The signed Consortium Agreement or MoU covering IP issues is specifically required with the Finnish application.

What Costs Should Companies Think About?

Applicants should prepare a detailed project budget.

The budget should reflect the actual R&D work.

Possible cost categories may include relevant personnel, technical development, testing, prototypes, equipment and other eligible R&D expenses, subject to each country's national funding rules.

The important point is that the Indian and Finnish funding systems do not operate under identical national rules.

Therefore, companies should not assume that an expense approved in one country will automatically qualify in the other.

Each partner should check its own funding agency's eligible-cost rules.

Why Reimbursement Matters for Indian Companies

Indian funding is provided on a reimbursement basis.

This means companies need enough financial capacity to carry out the approved activities before receiving the relevant reimbursement.

For smaller companies, this is a major consideration.

Before applying, management should prepare a cash-flow plan.

Ask:

• How much will the company need to spend?
• When will the expenses occur?
• When can reimbursement be claimed?
• Can the company finance its share?
• Are there other public grants?
• Will other funding affect the grant calculation?

The call specifically states that funding from other public-sector sources will be considered and applicants must declare funding from other sources.

What Should Companies Avoid?

Avoid a Project With No Customer

A technology without a market is a weak fit.

Avoid a Partner With No Real Role

Both sides should contribute meaningful R&D work.

Avoid Generic Technology Claims

"AI-powered" or "advanced technology" is not enough.

Explain exactly what the technology does.

Avoid Ignoring IP

The partners must discuss ownership before development begins.

Avoid One-Sided Applications

Both countries require their own application.

One application alone is invalid.

Avoid Unrealistic Timelines

A two-year project needs measurable milestones.

Avoid Treating the Grant as Full Project Funding

The Indian grant covers up to 50% of eligible Indian project costs and is capped at ₹2.5 crore.

The company must cover the remaining costs.

How to Make the Commercialisation Section Stronger

A good commercialisation plan should follow the technology through the entire market journey.

For example:

Year 1: Develop and test the prototype.

Early Year 2: Conduct field trials.

Mid-Year 2: Validate performance with customers.

Late Year 2: Prepare production and regulatory requirements.

After project: Launch commercially in India and Finland.

The actual timeline will depend on the technology.

But the principle remains the same.

The reviewer should be able to see what happens after the R&D project.

How to Show That India and Finland Need Each Other

This is perhaps the most important strategic question.

Do not simply write:

"India and Finland have strong innovation ecosystems."

Instead, explain the specific reason for the partnership.

For example:

The Indian partner has a large-scale industrial deployment environment.

The Finnish partner has a specialised sensor technology.

The project combines the sensor with the Indian company's industrial platform.

The resulting product can then be tested in India and prepared for the Finnish and wider European markets.

That tells a much stronger story.

Benefits for Indian Companies

The India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026 can provide several benefits.

Access to Finnish Technology

Finnish companies are strong in several areas of advanced technology, engineering and industrial innovation.

Indian companies can use the partnership to access specialist capabilities.

Entry Into International Markets

A Finnish partner can help an Indian technology company understand European customers and markets.

Joint Product Development

Instead of simply buying foreign technology, the partners can develop a product together.

Shared R&D Risk

Public funding can reduce some of the financial burden of joint development.

Technology Commercialisation

The project is explicitly designed around commercial outcomes.

That makes it useful for companies that already have a promising technology and need to move towards market deployment.

Benefits for Finnish Companies

Finnish companies can also benefit from the Indian partnership.

India offers a large market and a strong technology and manufacturing ecosystem.

An Indian partner can provide:

• Local market knowledge;
• Customer access;
• Manufacturing capacity;
• Field-testing environments;
• Engineering support;
• Distribution;
• Commercial relationships.

This can help Finnish companies adapt technologies for Indian markets while also exploring broader international opportunities.

Why This Call Matters for Deep-Tech Companies

The programme is particularly interesting for companies working on technologies that require meaningful R&D.

Examples include:

• Energy systems;
• Sensors;
• Microelectronics;
• Industrial AI;
• Hydrogen;
• EV technologies;
• Advanced energy storage;
• 5G and 6G;
• Carbon capture;
• Smart-city systems.

These technologies often require significant technical development before they can reach the market.

A bilateral programme can help companies combine expertise and share the cost of that development.

India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026: Key Facts

Item	Details
Programme	India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026
Indian Agency	Department of Science and Technology
Indian Implementing Agency	Technology Development Board
Finnish Agency	Business Finland
Launch Date	1 April 2026
Application Deadline	28 August 2026
Indian Deadline	4:00 PM IST
Finnish Deadline	11:59 PM Finnish time
Maximum Projects	6
Maximum Duration	24 months
Indian Grant	Up to ₹2.5 crore
Indian Funding Limit	Up to 50% of eligible Indian project cost
Indian Project Lead	Eligible Indian for-profit company
Indian Ownership	At least 51% Indian citizen ownership
Finnish Applicants	Companies of all sizes and eligible research organisations
Main Themes	Sustainable energy, advanced digital technologies, microelectronics and power electronics
Joint Application	Required
Consortium Agreement/MoU	Required, especially for IP
Commercialisation	Core requirement
Expected Funding Decision	End of 2026
Expected Project Start	January 2027

These details are based on the current TDB, DST and CSIR programme information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026 open to startups?

Yes, eligible Indian startups can potentially participate.

However, the Indian Project Lead must meet the programme's company requirements.

An LLP, sole proprietorship, OPC or partnership firm is not eligible as the Indian Project Lead.

How much funding can an Indian company receive?

Up to ₹2.5 crore, or 50% of the eligible Indian project cost, whichever is lower.

Is the ₹2.5 crore funding available to every applicant?

No.

The programme expects to fund a maximum of six projects.

Funding is subject to evaluation and approval.

Does the Indian company need a Finnish partner?

Yes.

The programme is built around joint India-Finland projects.

Both sides must submit corresponding applications to their respective funding agencies.

Can a Finnish research institute participate?

Yes.

Eligible Finnish research organisations can participate when they have sufficient company support under Business Finland's applicable Co-Research rules.

Can an Indian university lead the project?

The Indian Project Lead must be a commercial for-profit company registered under the Indian Companies Act.

Therefore, an Indian university cannot serve as the Indian Project Lead under the stated eligibility rules.

Can an Indian LLP apply?

No.

The call specifically excludes LLPs, sole proprietorships, OPCs and partnership firms from support under the programme.

How long can the project run?

Up to 24 months.

How many projects will be funded?

A maximum of six projects.

Is the project supposed to lead to commercialisation?

Yes.

The joint selection criteria specifically require innovative and market-driven projects that lead towards commercialisation.

Do both partners submit the same application?

Both partners submit their own national applications.

However, both applications must contain the joint project plan and correspond to the same India-Finland project.

What happens if only the Indian partner applies?

The application is not valid.

The Finnish partner must also submit its own application to Business Finland.

What is the deadline?

The deadline is 28 August 2026.

The Indian submission deadline is 4:00 PM IST, while the Finnish deadline is 11:59 PM Finnish time.

Final Takeaway

The India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026 is designed for companies that have a serious technology problem to solve and a clear commercial reason to work internationally.

It is not simply a grant for general research.

It is not a travel programme.

It is not a conventional academic fellowship.

The focus is on joint innovation, product development, market relevance and commercialisation.

Indian companies can receive up to ₹2.5 crore, subject to the 50% funding limit.

Finnish partners can seek support through Business Finland under its applicable funding rules.

The project can run for up to 24 months, and only up to six projects are expected to be supported.

The opportunity is particularly relevant to companies working in:

sustainable energy, advanced digital technologies, microelectronics and power electronics.

Within those areas, the call specifically highlights renewable energy, smart cities, hydrogen, waste management, waste-to-energy, electric vehicles, carbon capture, energy storage, DERMS, virtual power plants, heat pumps, 5G/6G, advanced data analytics, virtual worlds, AI, MEMS and sensors.

For an Indian company, the first major task is to find the right Finnish partner.

The second is to define a project where both companies contribute meaningful R&D.

The third is to show that the resulting technology can become a real product, process or service.

The fourth is to agree on intellectual property and commercialisation before the application is submitted.

Finally, both sides must submit their respective national applications.

The deadline is 28 August 2026, with the Indian application due by 4:00 PM IST.

Companies that already have a prototype, strong R&D capability, a defined market problem or an emerging technology should consider this opportunity seriously.

The strongest application will not simply say that India and Finland should work together.

It will show exactly why they should work together, what they will build, who needs it, how they will build it and how they will take it to market.

Official Application Resources

The Technology Development Board is the main Indian implementation agency for this call and provides the detailed eligibility, funding and submission information.

Technology Development Board – India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026

The Department of Science and Technology lists the India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026 among its current calls for proposals.

Department of Science and Technology – Call for Proposals

Finnish applicants should use the Business Finland funding system and select the Finland-India call option specified in the programme instructions.

Business Finland – Official Website

Bottom Line

Call: India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026
Countries: India and Finland
Indian Agency: DST through TDB
Finnish Agency: Business Finland
Maximum Projects: 6
Maximum Duration: 24 months
Indian Funding: Up to ₹2.5 crore per project
Indian Funding Share: Up to 50% of eligible Indian project costs
Priority Areas: Sustainable energy; advanced digital technologies; microelectronics and power electronics
Indian Lead: Eligible Indian for-profit company
Minimum Indian Ownership: 51%
Joint Partner: Finnish company or eligible research organisation
Application Model: One-phase, dual national submissions
Deadline: 28 August 2026
Indian Deadline: 4:00 PM IST
Finnish Deadline: 11:59 PM Finnish time
Expected Decisions: End of 2026
Expected Project Start: January 2027
Main Goal: Develop innovative, market-driven technologies and move them towards commercialisation.