Idea funding
The idea funding round is currently closed.
Description of the idea funding process
In the framework of the Innovation Booster Technology & Special Needs, the FRH can finance innovative ideas in the field of disability. Funding amounts to :
- 5’000 chf for a feasibility study
- 10’000 chf for an exploratory research
- 10’000 chf for a prototype.
Whatever your profile or field of activity, do not hesitate to submit your ideas!
During the needs assessment phase, participants identify their needs. We offer workshops for this purpose.
We follow the priority lines of the Federal Office for Equality for People with Disabilities for 2024. The main themes of this eighth funding round therefore concern :
- equality at work
- autonomous living
- digital accessibility.
The identified needs are used in the ideation phase: participants look for innovative ideas to meet these needs.
During the funding round, participants submit their project idea.
You too can fill in the corresponding form to submit your idea.
The jury of the Innovation Booster Technology and Special Needs will award funding to the most relevant ideas.
To submit an idea to the funding round, one member of the team must have taken part in an ideation workshop in 2023 or 2024 or in the ideation day on 31 August 2024.
Process of the funding round
| Launch of the funding round | July 1st 2024 |
| Ideation day | August 31st 2024 |
| Submission deadline | September 22nd 2024 |
| Teams selection by the jury | October 28th 2024 |
| Public announcement of the results | November 8th 2024 |
| Conduct of feasibility studies, exploratory research and prototypes | October 28th 2024 to February 28th 2025 |
| Presentation of the projects results and submission of the final report | February 28th 2024 |
Ideation day
Participation to the ideation day on 31 August 2024 is mandatory for all teams wishing to submit an idea, unless they have already participated in an ideation workshop in 2023 or 2024.
Team constitution
For the composition of the teams the following elements are taken into consideration when evaluating the proposals:
- Minimum 4 people
- The participation of at least one person with a disability or illness related to your subject is mandatory.
- Teams must include at least one research partner and one implementation partner.
- Multidisciplinarity (technical, social, health, economic, etc.) and diversity (gender, age, education) of the team are mandatory.
Please note:
- A parent or other person may accompany a person with a disability, if necessary. The latter will then be an integral part of the team members
- If your idea indirectly concerns people with a disability, i.e. the final user will be for example a caregiver and not a person with a disability, then it is possible to deviate from the rule. You must justify your decision.
- Students from Universities of applied sciences, Universities and Federal Institutes of Technology may not represent an academic partner.
Regulations
You can consult the evaluation criteria for each type of project by clicking on the buttons below.
Feasibility study
The feasibility study enables the team to draw up an initial assessment of the situation in relation to the topic being researched. It allows the team to identify the context, potential partners and the social, economic and technical issues related to the topic. Following the feasibility study, the team may choose to go into greater depth on the subject by submitting an exploratory study. They can also submit a prototype idea directly.
The funding round is currently closed. Thank you for your understanding.
Exploratory research
The exploratory research defines a problem and a research question. It is positioned in relation to the scientific and technical literature and is based on an in-depth methodology. Following an exploratory research, the team can submit a prototype project.
The funding round is currently closed. Thank you for your understanding.
Prototype
The prototype can be of several types: object, software (digital), service (process) or other. It is positioned in relation to existing products or services by proposing a real innovation.
The funding round is currently closed. Thank you for your understanding.