Innosuisse: Innovation Projects (with Implementation Partner)

With the Innovation Projects programme, Innosuisse subsidises valuable research activities for marketable products by Swiss companies, universities, and research institutions. On this page you’ll find details on the application process, project requirements, as well as the option to download our complete guide for further insights into this programme.

What is Innosuisse Innovation Projects?

The goal of the Innovation Projects programme is to promote science-based innovation by co-financing start-up innovation projects that contribute to Switzerland’s national interests, such as its economy, society and technological advancement. Innosuisse supports projects with significant innovation potential through funding. There are two project types under this programme, either with or without an implementation partner.

Innovation Projects without implementation partner

Innovation projects without implementation partner are focused on research groups only. They are 100% funded and have a maximum duration of 18 months. The goal is to bring the innovation to a point upon project completion where it becomes interesting for a commercial partner to further develop the technology or product, and eventually realise market entry.

Innovation Projects with implementation partner

On the other hand, Innovation Projects with implementation partner aim at developing innovative services, products, solutions or processes through application-oriented research, for which a Swiss company needs the expertise of a Swiss research institute. These projects consist of both a research partner and an implementation partner. The details of the Innovation Projects with implementation partner are further discussed down below.

Who can apply to Innovation Projects with implementation partner?

You will be eligible to apply for the Innovation Projects subsidy as an implementation partner (industry partner, SME, NGO, administration) together with a research institute that provides scientific skills and the required research infrastructure. Research and implementation partners need to be independent of each other in terms of financing and personnel.

As an implementation partner, you must meet these four requirements:

• Your company or private or public institution must operate in Switzerland and engage in value-creating activities.
• You assume the project costs incurred in your company in the amount of 40–60% of the total project costs.
• You are willing to cover expenses of the research partner (known as the cash contribution) in the amount of at least 5% of the total project costs.
• A Swiss research partner must be prepared to implement an innovation project with you.

As a researcher, you must work at a Swiss research institution. Your research institution (the so-called research partner of the project) must belong to one of the following categories:

• Higher education research centres as per Art. 4, Letter c of the the Swiss Federal Act on the Promotion of Research and Innovation (RIPA)
• Non-commercial research centres outside the higher education sector in accordance with Art. 5 of the RIPA
• Government bodies as per Art. 16 (3) of the RIPA which carry out their own research for the purpose of fulfilling their mandates
• Federal research institutes according to Art. 17 of the RIPA

Besides this, a company must want to realise an innovation project with you as a research partner.

Further details on Innosuisse Innovation Projects with implementation partner

Funding

Innosuisse covers 40-60% of project costs, of which the research partner will be the direct subsidy recipient. Implementation partner will need to assume 40-60% contribution to project costs, including a 5% cash contribution towards research partner.

There is no maximum amount of funding, but costs must be well justified in alignment with planned activities

Project objectives

Innosuisse Innovation Projects must develop innovative services, new products, solutions or processes through science-based projects, for which a Swiss company needs the expertise of a Swiss research institute.

Deadlines

In 2025 there are eight decision meetings scheduled by the Innosuisse Innovation Council. You must submit your proposal at least 6 weeks prior to these dates. However, Innosuisse always performs a formal check on all documentation within approximately 1 week after submission. As such, we consider the deadline date 7 weeks before the Innovation Council meeting. See the deadlines further down this page or download our Innosuisse Innovation Projects guide for a comprehensive overview of all submission deadlines.

Maximum duration of the Innovation Project

The Innosuisse Innovation Projects with implementation partner have a maximum duration of 36 months.

Scope

Innosuisse Innovation projects are open to any type of topic that fits to the following criteria: A science-based innovation that can be implemented on the market, including but not limited to technological areas. The Innovation must address a market need and benefit society.

How does the evaluation process work?

There are multiple steps involved before an application is accepted. Usually the application process takes between 6-8 weeks.

1. Submit application through Innosuisse’s online tool
2. Review of the proposal by the Secretariat of Innosuisse to make sure it meets the formal requirements
3. Evaluation of the proposal by two independent experts
4. Final decision by Innosuisse Innovation Council
5. Notification of approval

Innovation Projects 2025 deadlines

We have included all scheduled meeting dates and the recommended submission deadlines for the coming year. Remember, for your application to be considered on a given decision meeting date, you must submit your proposal at least 6 weeks prior. Innosuisse always does an initial evaluation of what has been submitted. Then, they may request additional information (e.g., justification of costs or cover letter clarifying partner’s independence). This process usually happens within a week after submission. Therefore, we recommend submitting 7 weeks prior.

Dates of Innovation Council meetings in 2025

Energy & Environment

January 31st, March 21st, April 11th, May 23rd, July 4th, September 12th, October 24th, November 28th.

Engineering

January 29th, March 5th, April 16th, May 21st, July 2nd, September 10th, October 22nd, November 26th.

ICT

January 29th, March 5th, April 9th, May 14th, June 25th, September 3rd, October 22nd, November 19th.

Life Sciences

January 28th, March 13th, April 9th, May 27th, July 3rd, September 16th, October 23rd, December 2nd.

Social Sciences & Business Management

January 23rd, March 6th, April 7th, May 21st, July 3rd, September 11th, October 23rd, November 25th.

Download our Innovation Projects 2026 guide

Our programme guide contains a comprehensive overview of the Innovation projects programme. Through this guide you will be prepared for every stage of the Innosuisse Innovation Projects programme.

• Full application & evaluation process,
• What your application should include,
• Key success & evaluation criteria
• All deadlines and cut-offs in 2026.
• Extensive insights and application advice from our Innovation Projects expert consultants
• Subsidy contract & reporting

Download your free guide

Further reading

• Read more about Innovation projects with Implementation Partner
• Innovation Projects without Implementation partner
• Learn about Start-up Innovation Projects
• Find more Swiss grants and funding opportunities

About Catalyze

At Catalyze we commit ourselves to accelerating innovations that have a positive impact on the world. We are the driving force for your innovations through our offering of strategic consulting services, funding consultancy, project management and more, which deliver impactful expertise for all development stages. With the highest quality in the industry, we aim to be the consulting partner of choice to drive the success of meaningful innovation projects.