The Energy Center has created a list of research funding opportunities for projects related to energy. Additional details can be found below. Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions or would like any additional assistance in identifying opportunities.
In addition, the Research Office (ReO) supports EPFL researchers in funding acquisition and project management. They have compiled compendiums of a wide range of research opportunities for individual and collaborative grants. They are an excellent resource and starting point for identifying new funding opportunities and assisting in grant writing.
Internal Fundings
Gaznat Funds
Gaznat and EPFL have a long-standing strategic cooperation, which involves setting up a competence pole on CO2 capture, storage, and utilization for the production of synthetic gas.
Two categories of projects:
- TRL>= 4 with potential towards TRL 6-9 (“Explore projects”)
- TRL < 4 with potential to higher TRLs (“Seed projects”).
Who can apply: Professors, MER (Explore projects) and faculty members, senior scientists, postdocs, PhD students (Seed projects). Projects must be hosted by an EPFL Lab. There are no restrictions on the number of laboratories involved; proposals may be submitted by individual laboratories or consortia.
Funding and duration:
Explore projects
- Project duration: Up to 4 years.
- Expected funding: CHF 300-500k (maximum) per project.
Seed projects
- Project duration: 6-12 months.
- Expected funding: CHF 50-100k (maximum) per project.
Budget: Expected funding: CHF 300-500’000 (maximum) per project.
Timeline of the Call: Closed for 2025
Science and Technology for Humanitarian Action Challenges (HAC)
The goal of the Science and Technology for Humanitarian Action Challenges is to support project-based research between EPFL researchers, ETH Zurich researchers, the ICRC and other humanitarian organisations to develop effective solutions for a greater impact of humanitarian action.
Who can apply: at least one main applicant from EPFL at least one partner from an eligible humanitarian organization.
Budget: between CHF 50’000 and CHF 300’000 per project from 6-24 months.
Timeline of the Call: Closed for 2025
National Fundings
The SFOE provides subsidiary support for research projects that correspond to the priorities of its current energy research concept (2021 to 2024).
Who can apply: companies, universities, research institutions, bottom up or top down depending on the fields
Budget: ~CHF 18 million/year (~100 new projects per year with 1-3 year duration)
Timeline of the Call: The Energy–Economy–Society (EES/EWG) & The Electricity research programmes have opened calls for proposals. Pre-proposals are due by 16 February 2026. More info: Energy – Economy – Society (EES) Electricity
The topic of the first SWEETER Call will be : “Circular Economy of Industrial Processes.”
Who can apply: universities, institutes of the ETH domain, and universities of applied sciences as well as implementation partners from industry/the private sector, the public sector (such as cantons, cities, communes, districts/regions, and federal enterprises), and non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
Budget: ~ CHF 10 million
Timeline of the Call: Call should be published by end of 2025
Environmental technology promotion
The programme may support the development of technologies, installations, processes and products (goods and services) that can reduce environmental pollution in the public interest.
Who can apply: consortium of research institutes and private sectors.
Budget: ~ CHF 4 million/year
Timeline of the Call: Evaluations of projects take place on average twice per year
Special Financing for Aviation
Projects that limit the effect of air traffic on the environment, improve the prevention of illegal activities in aviation (security) and promote a higher level of technical safety in aviation (safety).
Who can apply: research institutes in link with aviation
Budget: ~CHF 10 million/year for environmental projects
Timeline of the Call: 31 May (preliminary review) and 30 November (application) every year
Energy strategy for Public Transportation 2050
The programme promotes research and innovation projects in the sector that help reduce energy consumption, cut CO2 emissions and increase the use of renewable energy.
Who can apply: One main contributor from research institutes with third parties.
Budget: ~ CHF 4 million/year
Timeline of the Call: twice a year (end of January and end of June)
The programme finances individual or collaborative, disciplinary or interdisciplinary project from 1 to 4 years.
Who can apply: Individual or collaborative projects from Swiss institutions
Budget: Up to CHF 1 million francs per year
Timeline of the Call: 1 April, 1 October (every year)
National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs)
The call is aimed at researchers in Switzerland who want to conduct long-term research projects on topics of strategic importance on behalf of the federal government
Who can apply: An NCCR consists of several research groups working together in an interdisciplinary, interuniversity network with partners from the academic, public and private sector
Budget: between CHF 8 to 20 million for 8-12 years project
Timeline of the Call: Call 2025 closed
The SPIRIT programme facilitates knowledge exchange between Swiss researchers and researchers in countries that receive development assistance according to the OECD.
Who can apply: Consortium with listed countries.
Budget: CHF 50,000 and CHF
500,000 in project funds for two to four years.
Timeline of the Call: No call until 2028
National Research Programmes (NPR)
NRP Projects differ from SNSF Project Funding projects because they are generally solution-oriented, i.e. they contribute to the search for solutions to current problems.
Who can apply: collaborative projects from Swiss institutions
Budget: Varies depending on the NRP. Generally, max. CHF 600’000 for up to 48 months per project
Timeline of the Call: Calls and topics for NRPs are launched periodically
The Agora scheme aims to foster dialogue between scientists and society.
Who can apply: Agora projects must be submitted jointly by a researcher and a communications expert.
Budget: between CHF 5,000 and CHF 200,000 for up to 3-year projects
Timeline of the Call: September 2026
Innovation projects with implementation partner
Innosuisse financially supports science-based innovation projects conducted jointly by industrial partners and private and public institutions in collaboration with a research partner.
Who can apply: Implementation partners: SMEs, large companies, start-ups, administrative bodies, non-profit organisations, other private and public institutions. Research partners: researchers working at a Swiss research institution.
Budget: no upper limit
Timeline of the Call: Several dates per year.
Innovation projects without implementation partner
Innosuisse funds innovation projects of researchers who have come across an innovative idea with great market potential in the course of their research work, but have not yet found a partner for the implementation on the mrket.
Who can apply: Research partners: researchers working at a Swiss research institution.
Budget: no upper limit
Timeline of the Call: Several dates per year.
Create your flagship to stimulate systemic innovation and transdisciplinary collaboration. This initiative seeks to find solutions to current or future challenges relevant to a large part of the economy or society.
Who can apply: Research partners in high school and a company or a private or public institution.
Budget: no upper limit
Timeline of the Call: Several dates per year.
This programme is open to early-career researchers who recently completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree. Applicants must apply individually and be supported by a Swiss research institution for the duration of the project.
Who can apply: Early-career researchers (within 4 years of degree/PhD) applying individually with support from a Swiss research institution.
Budget: CHF 130’000 for a 12 months project
Timeline of the Call: 1 December 2025
BRIDGE Discovery supports ambitious, curiosity-driven research projects led by Swiss research institutions, enabling scientists to explore novel ideas with potential real-world impact.
Who can apply: Experienced researchers at Swiss research institutions, either individually or in a small consortium of up to three applicants.
Budget: Up to CHF 850,000 per applicant for a project lasting up to 4 years.
Timeline of the Call: Closed at the moment. New call in 2026.
European & USA
Cluster 5 – Climate, Energy and Mobility
The programme aims to foster climate action and to become climate neutral and entail decarbonisation of the energy and transport sectors by 2050.
Who can apply: European (member states and associated countries) consortium. Swiss entities can apply as Beneficiaries from programme year 2025 onward.
Budget and 2026 Call Timeline: Yearly calls.
- Destination 1 (Climate Sciences and Responses) / Call 2026: open 18 Dec.2025 – deadline: 15 April or 31 Mars 2026 depending on the topic. Budget: 3-4 million € per project.
- Destination 2 (Cross-sectoral solutions for the climate transition) / / Call 2026: open 5 May 2026 – deadline: 15 December 2026 depending on the topic. Budget: around 10 million € per project.
- Destination 3 (Sustainable, secure and competitive energy supply) / Call 2026: open 4 August 2026 – deadline: 1st December 2026. Budget: 4.5 -30 million € per project.
- Destination 4 (Efficient, sustainable and inclusive energy use) / Deadline: Closed / Budget: 50 million €
- Destination 5 (Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes 201) / Call 2026: open 18 Dec.2025 – deadline: 14 April 2026. Budget: 10-21 million € per project.
Below you can find the 2026-2027 draft work program
European Partnerships in climate, energy and mobility
EU Partnerships bring the European Commission and private and/or public partners and other stakeholders together to address some of Europe’s most pressing challenges through concerted research and innovation initiatives.
Who can apply: European (member states and associated countries) consortium. Swiss entities can apply as Beneficiaries from programme year 2025 onward.
Budget and Call per initiative:
BATT4EU: Call open with a deadline for 20th January 2026. Budget: 15-30 million € per project.
Built4People: 3 calls open with deadline in January or February 2026. Budget: 15-30 million € per project. Matchmaking Platform.
Clean Hydrogen: 2025 calls closed. Call 2026: open 18 December 2025 – deadline: 14 April 2026. Budget: 16 million € per project. Matchmaking Platform.
Clean Energy Transition (CET): Call 2025 closed. New Call in 2026.
Driving Urban Transitions: Call 2025 open with a deadline for stage 1 the 17 November 2025. Budget: 1-2 million € per project. Matchmaking Platform.
InnoEnergy (EIT Energy): EPFL cannot participate.
Within the Clusters of Pillar II, Horizon Europe incorporates EU Missions to increase the effectiveness of funding by pursuing clearly defined targets with a concrete impact on citizen’s daily lives.
The 5 defined EU Missions are:
- Adaptation to Climate Change
- Cancer
- Restore our Ocean and Waters
- Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities
- A Soil Deal for Europe
Who can apply: European (member states and associated countries) consortium. Swiss entities can apply as Beneficiaries from programme year 2025 onward.
Budget: between EUR 4.50 and 6.00 million per project
Timeline of the Call: Call 2026 closed
The EIC Pathfinder supports the earliest phases of scientific and technical research and development of future, groundbreaking, market-creating technologies and/or deep tech technologies.
Who can apply: European (member states and associated countries) consortium. Swiss entities can apply as Beneficiaries from programme year 2025 onward.
Budget: up to EUR 3-4 million per grant
Timeline of the Call: Pathfinder Open 2025 call now closed. A next deadline is expected in 2026. Pathfinder Challenges 2025- call closed
The EURATOM programme (European Atomic Energy Community) supports research and innovation in the field of civil nuclear energy, particularly in areas such as safety, protection, waste management, fusion, and non-energy applications of nuclear technologies. It aims to strengthen scientific excellence, facility safety, and skills development in Europe while contributing to the EU’s climate and energy objectives.
Who can participate: A European consortium (EU Member States and associated countries). As with Horizon Europe, Swiss entities can participate in collaborative projects under the Euratom programme.
Budget: Depends on the grant.
Call for proposals: No open calls at the moment.
Eureka is an initiative of 50 countries aimed at fostering cross-border cooperation projects in market-oriented research and development, which is independent of the framework programmes of the European Commission.
Who can apply: one Swiss implementation partner and one Swiss or international research institutes plus at least one implementation partner from another Eureka member country.
Budget: There is no financial limit on applications. Innosuisse covers a maximum of 70 percent of the project costs of Swiss participants.
Timeline of the Call: You can submit Eureka Network projects at any time and on any innovation topic
The programme proposes several call for proposal for products and services in any sector at any time. They also have thematic calls, which are open for a limited period and address specific needs and themes.
Who can apply: open to any company and/or organisation. Switzerland can participate
Budget: depending on the fundings
Timeline of the Call: depending on the calls
The program supports energy and water efficiency upgrades in federal buildings through affordable solutions, public-private partnerships.
Who can apply: The DOE welcomes applications from international researchers if certain eligibility criteria are met. It is strongly recommended to contact the Research Office first.
Budget: $28.1 million per call
Call: Some calls are open to foreign institutions as prime applicants but the eligibility criteria for non-U.S. applicants are stringent.
The DOD funds fundamental research at EPFL.
Who can apply: Foreign institutions are often eligible to apply as subawardee or prime.
Budget: Depending on the call.
Call: Contact the ReO for more information
Foundation and Others
Established in 2008 in Geneva, Fondation Gelbert supports innovative, replicable and quality projects on the following topics: environmental protection, animal protection, and the development of new and clean energies as well as academic research on ophthalmology.
Who can apply: Applicants based in French-speaking Switzerland, particularly in Geneva.
Budget: Personnel (excl. PI’s salary) and project-related costs. 20% overheads must be included in EPFL proposals. Does not cover the costs for travel, congresses, conferences, or seminars.
Timeline of the Call: Any time
The sector supports projects in the gas field through the Research, Development and Promotion Fund of the Swiss Gas Industry (FOGA). The priorities are renewable gases, networks, energy efficiency, and, as a newcomer, hydrogen. The fund is an essential instrument for developing the future-oriented topics of the industry.
Who can apply: universities, research institutes, and public administration.
Budget: CHF 350’000 per year for all the projects.
Timeline of the Call: No call at the moment
The Foundation’s purpose is to promote outstanding young scientists. In particular, it supports high-quality research in any discipline and field in Switzerland, which young researchers with a higher educational background undertake to obtain further qualifications in their discipline, with a view to satisfying the conditions for an academic or professional appointment.
Who can apply: Advanced Post-Doc or tenure track professors.
Budget: PI’s salary and social charges based on SNSF salary scale (usually between CHF 90’000 and 120’000 p.a.). Does not cover personnel (excl. PI’s salary), project-related costs, publications, participation in conferences, symposia and overheads.
Timeline of the Call: End of April or end of October
The H&M Foundation supports early stage ideas presenting new circular approaches intended to reinvent the fashion industry. The Foundation seeks innovations:
- With digital technologies applications (e.g. connectivity, robotics, artificial intelligence, data, internet of things, machine learning) to make fashion circular.
- Related to waste recovery, recycling or aimed at zero-waste.
- Supporting a climate positive fashion industry.
Who can apply: Any individual or group of up to 5 people over 18 years of age anywhere in the world, as well as institutions, organizations and social business. Commercial entities are not eligible.
Budget: Personnel (incl. PI’s salary),consumables, equipment, other. Does not cover overheads, taxes, duties, charges or levies.
Timeline of the Call: No calls at the moment
SIL – Fond pour l’efficacité énergique (FEE)
Since 1993, the FEE has provided financial support for energy-saving projects and renewable energy production initiatives proposed by the City of Lausanne, businesses, and universities.
Who can apply: Researchers at universities
Budget: Up to 100’000 CHF per project
Timeline of the Call: Anytime
Swiss Research Foundation for Electricity and Mobile Communication
The Swiss Research Foundation for Electricity and Mobile Communication (FSM) is a non-profit foundation with the purpose of promoting scientific research on the opportunities and risks of technologies that generate or use electromagnetic fields (EMF). This includes all radio and power technologies. Further objectives of the FSM are the publication of research results in scientific organs and the communication of research facts and expertise on the subject of EMF in society.
Budget: CHF 150’000 per project
Timeline of the Call: Yearly Call, next in 2026
Foundation for Technology Assessment (TA Swiss)
Thematic calls supporting interdisciplinary studies, which evaluate crucial aspects of new, particularly controversial technologies. Studies must investigate the technical feasibility, economic issues, social implications, and environmental impacts of such technologies.
Who can apply: Applicants from higher education institutions or scientific offices. Preference is given to interdisciplinary groups. The PI must have experience with the management of projects.
Budget: unknown
Timeline of the Call:
Timeline of the call: Call open for Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) with a deadline of 1 February 2026. More information.
Vaud Sustainable Collaborative Projects
The Service for the Promotion of the Economy and Innovation (SPEI) may provide financial support for collaborative projects in which companies work together with the goal of promoting sustainability.
Who can apply: Consortia must include at least three business partners, of which at least two are established and operate in the canton of Vaud (at least three Vaud-based companies for consortia of five partners or more). Academic and public institutions are welcome but are not considered business partners.
Budget: Up to 50% of the total project cost, with a maximum contribution of CHF 100,000.
Timeline of the Call: Anytime
The Werner Siemens Foundation provides substantial seed funding for innovative, high-potential projects in technical fields and the natural sciences. Its aim is to help projects grow to the point where they can become independent, self-sustaining, or reach industrial application.
- Projects must address important contemporary challenges.
- The Foundation focuses on initiatives with a strong likelihood of industrial use, typically with TRL above 3 and possibly opening new application areas.
- The Foundation also supports young researchers and emerging talent in STEM and medical fields.
Who can apply: Universities and higher education institutions. Caution: EPFL should apply as one unique beneficiary since WSS does not finance individual grants.
Budget: Upon request
Timeline of the call: Anytime