CTI special measures: extended deadline for project submission

With the extension the CTI is responding to the frequently expressed wish for more time to complete and submit applications. However, it is recommended to submit your proposal until 7 November 2016 in order to have enough time to revise and re-submit your documents if necessary.

In the current year, the federal government is continuing to support export-oriented SMEs under pressure due to the strength of the franc. For the second time the federal government is responding in a targeted manner to the ongoing difficulties faced by export-oriented SMEs and is helping them to invest in innovation and to maintain or expand their R&D capabilities. Conditions for export-oriented SMEs conducting innovation projects with the CTI have been facilitated. Parliament has approved an additional CHF 61 million to that end. The special measures run from mid-2016 to the end of the year.

What are the measures?

In R&D projects the conditions for the implementation partner may be relaxed on request: 

• The cash contribution made by the implementation partner to the research partner may be partially or wholly waived (usually 10% of the CTI funding contribution)

• The proportion of the total project costs met by the implementation partner may be reduced to 30% (usually > 50%) 

Applications for the above are assessed and approved on a case-by-case basis. 

Who is eligible to apply?

• Only export-oriented SMEs and their suppliers in Switzerland may apply for these reductions.
• SMEs are companies based in Switzerland with max. 249 employees.
• Export-oriented SMEs are those which, averaged over the last three years, have generated at least 50% of their turnover from exports. This regulation also applies to SMEs that do not export directly but that are also hit by the strength of the franc as suppliers to export-oriented companies.

More information on the website of CTI.

(Press release)