Call for Proposals
Implementation Grants 2026
Duration of the projects
1 to 2 years
Scale of funding
CHF 100'000 to CHF 300'000
Deadline
February 15, 2026
Final decision
End of June 2026
2026
Future Technologies
New sustainable materials and processes to tackle societal challenges
Founded in 2023, the Peter Bopp Stiftung aims to strengthen Switzerland’s future viability by supporting innovation in research and technology at Swiss universities. The foundation provides funding in high-impact fields with a leverage effect for economy and society.
With its second call for proposals “Future Technologies”, the Peter Bopp Stiftung wants to generate a significant impact by exploiting the potential that new technologies (materials and processes) offer to find sustainable solutionsfor societal and/or environmental challenges, e.g. related toclimate, water, food or energy.
The call with an annual budget of CHF 1.5 million is targeted at innovative and applied research projects
Objectives
New sustainable materials and processes
New sustainable materials and processes offer a significant contribution to reducing environmental pollution and tackling the climate crisis - through both the creation of new technologies and the intelligent re-use of existing resources (such as upcycling existing materials).
The call of the Peter Bopp Stiftung focuses on finding innovative and sustainable solutions for relevant and concrete challenges without defining a specific field of application. To that end, the foundation supports new technologies that are likely to achieve a meaningful breakthrough.
Innovative ideas implemented in an entrepreneurial spirit that help protect our natural resources are critical for ensuring quality of life for future generations.
Examples of possible fields of application:
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Replacement of PFAS
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New molecular energy storage
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Defossilized raw materials
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Upcycling of microplastics and other materials
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Capture of local CO2 in SMEs
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Production of reduced carbon from non-fossil resources
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Fractionation of waste
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Innovation in nutrition and food production
Criteria
Implementation Grants 2026
Implementation Grants support innovative and applied research projects involving new materials and processes in high-impact fields. Projects mustoriginate from and be carried out at Swiss universities.
The funded projects must be between research and market development seeking initial funding for the pilot and demonstrator phase(TRL 4–6). The main criteria besides scientific excellence, innovation and a sustainable approach are market opportunities and marketability of the project.
Preference will be given to projects conducted by entrepreneurial young scientists with a duration of 1 to max. 2 years and a budget of between CHF 100,000 and CHF 300,000 each.
Key Criteria:
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Applied research projects developed and rooted within a Swiss university
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Convincing, innovative project ideas for new materials and processes that contribute to solving a relevant societal and/or environmental challenge
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Plausible reference to practical and economic application with evidence of corresponding market opportunities
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Principle of sustainability
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Scientific and technical excellence, confirmed by at least two distinct letters of endorsement: one attesting scientific excellence and soundness of the project (mentors or support programs) and one confirming its innovation and market potential (industry expert or investor)
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Plausible and substantiated budget including salaries and project-related costs
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High level of commitment on the part of the project participants
Technology Readiness Levels TRLS:
Funding will be given to innovative and applied research projects (see TRLs below) with a specific focus on the pilot and demonstrator phase:
TRL 4
Partial Scale
and Prototype Modeling
TRL 5
Partial Scale
Prototype Validation
TRL 6
Full Scale Prototype Field Demonstration
Funding Process
Project Submission Stages
Eligibility Self-Test
Involves a quick initial assessment to see if the project idea is in line with the strategic areas of activity and the grant-making criteria of the Peter Bopp Stiftung.
Pre-Assessment
Submitting an outline of the project idea including purpose and scope is recommended. An abstract of max. two pages may be submitted via our digital platform at any time for initial assessment and consultation. Please be aware that this step already needs a registration on the platform.
Project Proposals
Following a positive feedback, project proposals may be submitted observing with the deadlines of the call for proposals.
Application process
Further Information
Further information is provided in the Funding Guidelines. Applications with all of the required documents must be uploaded online.
Project proposals will be pre-evaluated by internal funding experts involving an external Scientific Committee. Following the first evaluation round, applicants may be invited to pitch their projects to the foundation's Board of Trustees.
The grant-making decision is made by the Board of Trustees of the Peter Bopp Stiftung.