QSE Innovation Seed Grants

Main mission of the call

The QSE Innovation Seed Grant is a unique seed funding opportunity to encourage the brightest ideas for cutting-edge applications, technology transfer, and start-up creation in the field of quantum science and engineering, open to master’s students and researchers, including PhD students and post docs, in the initial phase of developing a cutting-edge application, product or service with a real societal impact. 

Awardees of this QSE innovation seed grant will have a first opportunity, for example through coaching, workshops or mission trainings (e.g. EPFL Changemakers), to validate their project idea and get ready for future innovation funding programs.

Main requirements

• Only graduate students or researchers hosted or employed at an EPFL lab or unit are eligible to apply and act as Principal Investigator (PI). The head of the host lab has to co-sign the application form, and expressing as such their support of the project proposal.
• QSE innovation seed funding cannot be used for basic research or as general funding for the PI’s host lab. It can only be used for applicable planned projects in the field of quantum science and engineering with high innovation potential for business and society offering concrete solutions to problems. A main driver to determine eligible projects is the attractivity towards industrial partners and the technology transfer traction. We commit to considering all high potential translational projects and ideas, even if they have not yet filed Intellectual Property.
• Projects can be co-sponsored by third parties (e.g., federal government, cantons, foundations, business acting as a potential licensee).

Detailed call information can be found in the Guide for applicants here below.

Guidelines for applicants (EPFL login required)

How to apply

• PIs interested in submitting an application should contact, prior to drafting or submitting an application, the call coordinator Charlotte Vandenberghe ([email protected]). 
• Candidates can submit their application on a continuous basis. 
  • Applications will be reviewed in a timely manner; applicants will be informed about the outcome via email.
  • The project should start within the 6 months after approval.
• Please download and use the provided template for your application form here below.
  
• Proposals should be submitted via email: [email protected]
• Please add “QSE Innovation Seed Grant application_NAME PI” in the title of the email.

Application form (EPFL login required)

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