• The first case involves an internal process at the college without an external partnership. The funding is made available by the college.
• The second case involves a process with one or more partners. Each type of partnership offers advantages and disadvantages, and the procedures for acquiring funding are different.

All these elements are outlined below:


Networks of excellence

This is a partnership between subject areas, internal to the HES-SO. Files are submitted to the coordinators of the networks of excellence. The system is financed by the HES-SO's own strategic fund.

A specific aspect of this type of project is the ability to undertake exploratory pilot studies in advance of projects.

The Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI)

The CTI is the Swiss Confederation agency for the promotion of innovation. It is open to all disciplines. Its present promotion activities currently prioritise the fields of life sciences, engineering, nanotechnology, microsystems technology and information and communication technology.

The CTI Start-up scheme also provides support for young entrepreneurs. Projects submitted to the CTI offer fast valorisation in the form of products and services, a clearly identified industrial partnership and a proven commercial commitment from the partner.

Ideally, this kind of project should follow a project financed by the HES-SO strategic fund (procedures). The Alliance website offers a number of research partnership possibilities.

The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)

The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) is the main institution in Switzerland for promoting scientific research, but, unlike the CTI, research projects submitted to the National Science Foundation are mainly academic in character.

Projects with university partners are advised, and the valorisation should be mainly academic. It is possible to submit projects electronically via their platform mySNF.

A programme, DO-RE (for “Do research”) has been launched in the Universities of Applied Sciences by the Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) to promote more specifically applied research in the fields of health, social work, education and music.

European projects

These projects are significant in size and involve several partners. The developments are in an industrial environment. Several European contacts are needed to submit a project of this kind. The Euresearch website provides all the necessary information on a “step by step” basis.

Frequently asked questions

General questions/replies on Research & Development at the HES-SO.