[ NTN - Innovation booster call for tender: Funding period 2021 – 2024 - Research funding ]

These initiatives are aimed at stimulating (“boosting”) innovation activities on a selected theme through specific idea development and testing. The initiatives are referred to as «NTN – Innovation Booster – description of the innovation theme». The new support measure no longer pursues the objective of funding the development of structures and networks, as was the case with the National Thematic Networks of the previous calls for tender. Under the new approach, Innosuisse finances the development and operation of activities to promote the transfer of knowledge and technology between research, industry and society and the development and testing of novel innovation ideas by third parties using appropriate scientific methods, provided that the innovation ideas have arisen from the activities of the «NTN – Innovation Booster» and have the potential to create sustainable added value. Consortia (of existing organisations and structures) assume responsibility for implementing an «NTN – Innovation Booster».

Call for tender
Innosuisse calls on interested partners to apply for the implementation of a four-year «NTN – Innovation Booster». The annual financial support of an «NTN – Innovation Booster» can amount to as much as CHF 500,000. Eight to ten thematically different «NTN – Innovation Boosters» are expected to be supported in the 2021-2024 funding period. 

The deadline to submit proposals is set to February 28th, 2020

The roles are allocated as follows:

Leading House: This is a non-profit organisation that acts as an applicant vis-à-vis Innosuisse and on behalf of the consortium. The leading house assumes responsibility vis-à-vis Innosuisse for processing the «NTN – Innovation Booster». The leading house supports the consortium in the conception and implementation of the «NTN – Innovation Boosters».

Consortium: Each individual «NTN – Innovation Booster» is supported by a consortium consisting of representatives of the relevant stakeholders from universities and business/society, who together wish to assume responsibility for the successful implementation of a joint under-taking. The consortium is therefore the responsible body of an «NTN – Innovation Booster» and jointly represents it to the outside world. The roles of the consortium members are described in the application and the members confirm their commitment by means of declarations of support, which are attached to the application.

EPFL Laboratories interested in collaborating with a Leading House submitting an NTN - Innovation booster proposal should prepare a letter of intent that should be counter-signed by the Research Office ([email protected]).

For more information:
Call for tender - Innovation Booster - The key points in brief
Call for tender - Innovation Booster - Guide to submitting an application
Call for tender - Innovation Booster - application form
NTN-Innovation Booster presentation
Design Thinking brochure
Q&A NTN-Innovation Booster

Contact:

• Innosuisse: [email protected], Tel. +41 58 461 38 81
• For administrative, financial, ethics and legal assistance: [email protected]