The Propelling Grant

The University of Basel has a strong commitment to support projects, from any field and with a strong academic background, on their path to commercialization and impact on society.

The Propelling Grant is a funding instrument to help researchers with an active University of Basel affiliation turning their discoveries into a start-up.

Offering up to 50,000 CHF per project, this grant can propel your project forward by:

• Assessing and refining your business model while developing your business plan.
• Supporting you in developing a long-term vision to translate your research from the lab to the market.
• Checking your product-market fit by understanding customer needs.
• Guiding the development of a robust R&D roadmap through regulatory navigation.
• Crafting a comprehensive incorporation plan to establish your company effectively.
• Expanding your network to key experts and potential partners.

The Propelling Grant is giving you access to an acceleration program which can include:

• A cash contribution, as non-dilutive funding, amounting up to 50’000.- CHF for a time period of  6 months.
• Investor meetings.
• Theme-specific workshops (e.g. how to incorporate a company; learn investor perspectives; how to translate R&D from the lab to the market; etc.) in partnership with industry and practice leaders.
• Personalized mentoring & coaching.
• Visibility through official communication channels.

Specific support measures are provided case-by-case.

Applicants must have active affiliation with the University of Basel:

• PhD candidates
• Postdocs
• Research assistants
• Professors
• University employees

Ensure affiliation is current at time of submission and for the entire time of the Propelling Grant.

If you are solely affiliated with the University Hospital Basel (USB) or the University Children’s Hospital of Basel (UKBB), you are not eligible.

Eligible projects include those that have already validated their concept or technology, as well as those that have developed their first prototype.

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The grant provides up to 50,000 CHF for a period of up to six months as non-dilutive funding. You are free to propose how you will use the funds as part of the evaluation process. However, your proposed budget shouldn't mainly cover  basic research, experiments and consumables.

Depending on the maturity of your project, the Evaluation Board may require you to allocate part of the funds to a specific coaching program, decided on a case-by-case basis.

Awardees are required to have regular exchanges with the Innovation Office (start, mid- and end-project) about:

• The results of the scientific/technical validation.
• An improved version of the strategy for the next steps (including but not limited to: business plan, market roadmap, next funding, etc.).

The call for projects is always open. Once fully deployed, evaluation will take place two times a year, in Spring (February/March), and Fall (October/November).

The Propelling Grant is an open call and we welcome applications on a continuous basis with two yearly cut-off dates (Spring and Fall). Selected applicants will be invited for an in-person pitch / interview with the Evaluation Board. Refer to the Evaluation Process & Timeline document as a general reference for the process – timelines might vary due to administrative processes of the University.

To submit your application (non-confidential information only!) you are required to fill-in a brief online form and upload two documents:

• Propelling Grant Application Form - Fill in the provided Word document
• Propelling Grant Slide Deck - Use the provided Powerpoint template file as a guideline

Be aware to provide non-confidential information only!

At the following link: