UZH Innovation Grants

The UZH Innovation Grants are an early stage funding support for research-based innovations at the University of Zurich.

The purpose of the Innovation Grants program is to bring research-based ideas with a strong innovation potential off the ground and sharpen projects for further funding and implementation. Projects selected for an Innovation Grant will receive CHF 10’000, coaching and access to the UZH innovation community.

The Grants can be used to validate a product idea, sharpen the plan for implementation and prepare for fundraising. Specifically, the Grants may fund activities such as market analyses, user testing, impact assessment and the development of prototypes.

Possible next steps after the end of the support period are

• Bring the innovation to the market by founding a UZH Startup
• Develop the solution and business idea further with a UZH Entrepreneur Fellowship
• Continue the development of the solution with an implementation partner
• Close project since the validation did not show promising results. Keep the eyes open for the next innovation project to pursue!

Successful applicants will be supported by a dedicated entrepreneurship coach throughout the project period.

In addition, we currently offer further support programs including special events, networking opportunities and space access in the following domains:

• BioTech & MedTech
• Digital Innovation
• Sustainable Society

Eligible applicants are researchers with an employment at the University of Zurich. This includes, doctoral students, PostDocs and Professors.

Note that the Grants can only support UZH projects and the funds must be transfered to a UZH account.

Check the detailed eligibility criteria here.

As part of the UZH Entrepreneur Fellowships and the UZH Innovation Grants programs, the UZH Innovation Office has launched an event series "Innovator Mornings". 

The event program features finishing grantees sharing key takeaways, introduction of new entrepreneur fellows, an inspirational interview with a startup founder, and lots of networking opportunities that allows to connect with peers and coaches.

The focus is on an internal exchange within UZH innovation community (Entrepreneur Fellows, Grant recipients, Coaches and researchers interested currently preparing to apply for these programs). 

Are you interested in the Innovation Grants Program? Review our agenda and register for the next Innovator Mornings event!

It is possible to apply for the Innovation Grants twice per year, on September 1st and March 1st.

Applicants needs to submit a short project description, a 3 min pitch video and his or her CV.

More information on how to apply for the grants