The call for joint innovation projects is aimed at companies of any size and research institutions in Switzerland and South Korea (consortia) looking to carry out a joint science-based innovation project.
Purpose of the Call
South Korea and Switzerland are announcing a bilateral Call for joint R&D project outlines, focusing on developing ready to market solutions for products, technology based services or methods, which have a significant market potential for South Korea and Switzerland. The Call is open for all scientific disciplines; however projects for products or services in following topics are particularly appreciated:
- Biotech; Medtech
- Digitalisation; Industry 4.0; IoT; Artificial Intelligence
- Additive Manufacturing
- Smart Materials / Innovative surfaces
- Augmented and virtual reality
- Hydrogen Technologies
- Renewable Energy & Batteries
The aim is to strengthen the activity of the business and research community of both countries. KIAT and Innosuisse have opted for a two-stage evaluation process, to align the common targets and cooperation within the project consortia and allow for a greater numbers of funded projects.
Eligibility
All proposals must meet following eligibility criteria to be qualified for evaluation:
- The partners (project consortia) must include at least one commercial company from each country and one research entity from either South Korea or Switzerland.
- The participation of further research organizations and further commercial companies from both countries according to each country’s funding regulations is welcome.
- The research organizations and commercial companies must comply with the regulations of their respective country.
- The project partners shall name a designated main-coordinator.
- The project duration cannot be more than three (3) years.
- The project should demonstrate a relevant innovation content, added-value and benefit from the bilateral cooperation in both countries. The project must be equally significant to all participants. One country cannot represent more than 70% of the overall project person-months. .
- With the proposal, the consortium is encouraged to present a draft agreement on the Intellectual Property Rights IPR together with the proposal, in order to reduce the negotiation time after the proposal has been approved and prior to the project starting date.
- Both agencies will only consider project costs, which arise in their country eligible for funding. Cross-border funding is not foreseen.
Only proposals meeting all eligibility criteria will be considered for evaluation. There will be no opportunity to correct errors in the proposals after the application deadline.
Please note that the inclusion of an ineligible partner in a proposal will result in the non-consideration of the entire proposal. For the definition of eligible partners, see the national regulations and contact your national contact person.
Main evaluation criteria for Swiss participants
Project Quality
- Clear and well defined project
- Realistic goals and milestones
- Justification of proposed procedures and resources
Project Consortia
The project partners should demonstrate:
- Complementary technological excellence, expertise
- Added-value of international cooperation
- Strong base of partnership and aim for continuing collaboration even beyond the project duration
- Management ability to successfully carry out the project and implement the results
- Mutual advancement of R&D through the transfer of knowledge and expertise.
Research where downstream application is for national defence or security purposes, as well as research which poses a threat to public health and misuse of personal data will not be supported.
Innovation Degree
The innovation aspect of a project must go beyond the international state of the art. The innovation project should be science-based, targeting to achieve advances in technology or service aspects. The main objectives in terms of performance of the product, process or service and cost issues (with regard to competitive ability) shall be presented in a comprehensive way.
Market Value Creation
The project is targeting to establish a new, or to integrate into an existing value chain. A market and implementation idea must exist for the planned product, process or service.
Main evaluation criteria for South Korean participants
- Expected benefits (incl. commercial, environmental, social) of project and expected quality of project results
- The degree of technological innovation and the possibility of achieving the objectives
- The capacity of the applicants for performing the project
- • The validity of strategies for successful commercialization.
Submission procedures
For Pre-proposals until April 26 2023
- Korean participants have to submit a formal KIAT application (in English) through Project Management System of KIAT: http://www.k-pass.kr
- Swiss participants have to submit a simplified Innosuisse application, as well as a joint call document. Both documents can be found on the Innosuisse website. The pre-proposal documents (in English) must be submitted exclusively via the PrivaSphere transfer platform. This transfer platform and the corresponding contact form is available on the webpage will be open until 26 April 2023. Please add “JOINT CALL KR-CH 2023” in the subject field, and select option “South Korea” for “Joint.Call” of the PrivaSphere contact form. Applications submitted via any other channel will not be considered. Once you have submitted your pre-proposal, you will receive an automated confirmation email from in the name of Innosuisse
For Full-proposals until July 26 2023
- Korean participants have to submit a formal KIAT application through Project Management System of KIAT: http://www.k-pass.kr
- Swiss participants have to submit the Innosuisse application with the Innolink portal.
- Please select option “South Korea” under “Bilateral Call / Please select the partner country of the bilateral call you intend to submit“ in the Introduction section ”
- Implementation partners with < 250 full time employees need to submit the annual accounts of the past two years as an annex to the full-proposal; start-ups without annual accounts submit a business plan. If an implementation partner with < 250 full time equivalents is requesting more than CHF 1 Mio. funding, Innosuisse checks the due diligence of the implementation partner. If Innosuisse has already checked the due diligence in the context of another initiative, the result will be considered in an appropriate way.
Please refer to the 2023 Joint Call guidelines for more specific information.
