EPFL Ignition

EPFL Ignition Grant provides CHF 30,000 in non-dilutive funding to help early-stage researchers in Switzerland overcome the "too early" barrier and develop prototypes for their innovative projects. The grant is designed to jumpstart research work, produce significant results, and prepare recipients for larger future funding opportunities. Based at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), this program supports pre-commercial research projects that need initial capital to demonstrate feasibility.

The EPFL Ignition Grant was created to help researchers with great ideas to break free from the “too early” barrier. Too often, this is the predominant reason why such researchers never get their projects off the ground, but all of that is about to change with the Ignition Grant.

The grant should jumpstart your research work and produce significant results, as you get ready for future grants.

You will receive CHF 30,000 in order to get started on your research and develop a prototype within 6 months. This amount can be in the form of a salary and/or of consumables and/or outsourcing needs.

Moreover, you’ll even get the chance to use a cutting-edge EPFL laboratory and be given access to all of its equipment.

Are You Eligible To Apply?
In order to apply you will need to show you:

A clear business plan with a clear vision for your startup business that’s based on a scalable technological innovation
You have a MVP and/or some early traction
You’ve already established a connection to a hosting EPFL lab