SATW Transferkolleg 2016: call for projects

Surface technologies have become key in achieving product differentiation, a competitive advantage, and value creation for many companies. Research and industry institutions are making significant investments in advancing surface science and technologies. Since many of the new technologies demand specialist knowledge along the value chain, collaborations between academia and industry are best suited for fast implementation. SATW Transferkolleg supports projects that help the Swiss industry to benefit from such developments and secure a competitive edge.

Short web-based proposals should cover the following areas:

• Layers and interfaces with an improved quality, look and feel, service life, hardness, mechanical, or chemical resistance.

• Surfaces that are in contact with biological materials which have special features such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, antimicrobial, hygiene improvement, slow release, catalysis, and reaction inhibition.

• Functional layers for sensors, actuators, energy generation, and storage.

The proposals may address development, characterization, or analysis of new or improved materials, products, systems, tools, or processes relevant for industrialization.

This programme is designed for individuals who intend to transform their inventions into new business opportunities but are still facing challenges with:

• Producing initial results to trigger the next stages of development

• Understanding the new challenges that come with the innovation (technical and business)

• Refining ideas and developing a plan to move forward

• Finding follow-up support and financing.

SATW Transferkolleg provides diverse teams from academia and industry with

• Unbureaucratic access to CHF 16,000 of seed money

• Networking opportunities to connect and exchange ideas with other experts in the field

• Coaching in groups to challenge and develop ideas

• CTI experts to evaluate ideas and act as innovation mentors to enable participants find the right follow up funding programme.

Project Proposal
Participants are required to submit a project proposal outlining their ideas and the planned product or service, the estimated timeline and market potential. Contact addresses of the main research partner and the main implementation partner have to be indicated. Please use the form available here.

Deadline for submission: 29 February 2016. Admitted participants will receive a notification of acceptance in April.

(Press release)