Tech4Dev Grant

The Tech4Dev Grant consist of 2 calls for collaborative research projects between Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and EPFL researchers. 

EPFL Tech4Dev was launched in Dec 2019 and aims to support the market entry of sustainable innovative technological solutions from EPFL Labs. The goal is to scale these solutions so that they reach a growing number of beneficiaries all around the world. 

Through the 2-year Tech4Dev Grant, EPFL Labs receive financial support, entrepreneurship training and access to experts from the EPFL Vice Presidency for Innovation in order to advance successfully in their journey.

To date, 2 cohorts, for a total of 8 projects, received the Tech4Dev Grant. This implies the participation of 7 EPFL Labs, 29 researchers and 15 global South partners.

Structure of the grant

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Eligibility

We kindly invite EPFL researchers with a ready to be tested technology to browse the challenges of the NGOs to see if your developed technological solutions can be used to address one or more of these challenges. If this is the case, please fill in the following application form.

NGO Submitted challenges:

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Collaboration

The Tech4Dev research activities consist of two calls for collaborative research projects between Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) from our NGO Council and EPFL researchers. You can find the list of current NGO Council members here.

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Sustainable business model training

Embedded in Tech4Dev’s approach is the mission to enable technological solutions to eventually evolve into social enterprises which have the appropriate financial and impact models. Therefore Tech4Dev integrates sustainable business model training for Tech4Dev grantees to be equipped with the basic skills and principles to scale their solution.

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Duration

2 Years

Financial Contribution
Contribution

Each project will be supported with a maximum of CHF 300’000 each. This budget will need to be split according to the contribution of each of the project partners. At least 40% of the budget will need to be disbursed in the global South; a maximum of CHF 180k can be used for EPFL research activities, e.g. for funding of a PhD/ Post-Doc for up to two years.

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Project Selection

The projects are evaluated  by an international expert panel, according to the following criteria: Selection Criteria

Timeline

Our International Expert Panel

Managing Partner at BKR Capital

Director at Center for Community Technologies, Nelson Mandela University

Founder and Managing Director at Camnexus LTD, Cambridge University

Adjunct Professor in Humanitarian Action at University College Dublin

Director at Collective Change Lab, Inc.

Contact

In you have any additional question concerning the Tech4Dev program, do not hesitate to contact us!

Tiphaine Detoudeville

[email protected]