Quantum Call 2025

• You submit your project either as a single applicant or as a member of a consortium consisting of a maximum of 5 applicants.
• You are carrying out research at a Swiss university, federal institute of technology, university of applied sciences or other research institution as defined in the Federal Act on the Promotion of Research and Innovation (RIPA; Article 4 & Article 5).
• For applications with 3 to 5 applicants and under certain conditions, one of the applicants may work at a higher education research institution outside of Switzerland.
• You have the relevant skills required to independently lead a research project with a clear application-orientation.
• You can demonstrate that you have the necessary research infrastructure or how you plan to access it.

• For the duration of the project, you will be employed by a Swiss research institution as defined in Articles 4 and 5 of the RIPA.
• You are employed at a work-time percentage of at least 50% full-time equivalent (FTE).
• You are in a position to be responsible for carrying out research projects with a clear application-orientation and to lead scientific and non-scientific project staff employed in this project.
• You will make a substantial contribution to the proposed project and are able to work independently without instructions from third parties.
• You have the necessary research infrastructure at your disposal or can demonstrate how you plan to access it.

Collaboration in the field of quantum technologies is essential and is encouraged. If you apply as part of a consortium (maximum 5 applicants), the following applies:

• Each member of the consortium must meet the eligibility requirements for the submission of applications in accordance with the BRIDGE Discovery regulations and the BRIDGE Quantum call document.
• Each member of the consortium must work as part of a different and independent research group.
• Each member of the consortium is personally responsible for the project.

You must designate one person as the project lead (principal investigator) who will coordinate the project and legally represent all applicants in official communications with the BRIDGE office.

For consortia with 3-5 applicants, a qualified researcher from a higher education research institution outside of Switzerland may be a member of the consortium. Please see section 2.3 of the call document (PDF) for the exact conditions.

Tips

• If you are employed on a temporary contract, you should obtain confirmation that your institution will employ you for at least the duration of the project.
• Make sure that every member of the consortium meets the eligibility requirements. If in doubt, please contact the BRIDGE office.
• If you cannot find your research institution in the list of universities and research institutions on the mySNF platform, please contact the BRIDGE office.

• Your project aims to develop innovative applications in the field of quantum technologies based on your research results.
• Specifically, the project must demonstrate tangible technological progress and specific innovation pathways in the field of quantum technologies, which are relevant for Swiss industry.
• Your project is based on research results that have undergone peer review, are documented in publications or are supported by other research work.

Tips

• The project must demonstrate a balance between the scientific and implementation aspects. No purely scientific projects will be funded.
• The main goal of the project must be to implement the innovative potential of the research results and thus to create an economic and/or societal benefit. Develop a clear strategy for how you can reach the market and/or society.

Your project will be funded for up to four years.

The eligible costs may not exceed a maximum amount of CHF 850,000 per applicant for four years.

• For projects shorter than 4 years, the maximum amount is reduced proportionally.
• For consortia with 4-5 applicants, the maximum amount remains the same as for 3 applicants, namely CHF 2,55 million for 4 years.

Eligible project costs can be covered up to the maximum amount:

• Salary costs such as funding for salaries of project staff
• Costs of materials that are directly related to the research work

Costs for infrastructure linked to the project can be covered up to a maximum of 40% of the overall project budget. Please see section 3.2 of the call document (PDF) for the exact conditions.

Salary costs of the applicants are not eligible. Only applicants who are employed at universities of applied sciences, universities of teacher education or CSEM may apply for a supplement to their salary under certain conditions.

Salary costs of project partners and implementation partners are not eligible.

The regulations and the call document contain a detailed description of the criteria and general conditions that your project must fulfil.

Tips

• Please read the evaluation criteria set out in section 4.3 of the call document (PDF) carefully.
• The inclusion of key partners for the implementation and practical application, especially of industry partners, is a positive asset.
• Cooperation between universities, federal institutes of technology, research institutions, universities of applied sciences (UAS) and universities of teacher education (UTE) is also viewed favourably in the evaluation process.

You can submit your project application via the mysnf.ch platform. Please use the forms and templates provided for this purpose.

Tips

• Please ensure that the requested budget includes only the eligible costs set out in the regulations (PDF) and in the call document (PDF).
• For cost items ≥ CHF 50,000, appropriate evidence must be attached (e.g. current offer/quote, cost calculation backed up by estimates or current price lists).

On the basis of the official criteria and the criteria set out in the regulations (PDF) and in the call document (PDF), the BRIDGE office assesses the eligibility of the submitted documents and informs any applicants not eligible for contributions.

Tip

• Your application will be formally reviewed immediately after the submission deadline. Please ensure that you are available in the days following the submission deadline so that you can make any necessary changes to your project application.

On the basis of the evaluation criteria set out in the call document (PDF) and external expert opinions, the evaluation panel assesses the submitted applications and makes a pre-selection.

Tip

• Be patient: if you are shortlisted for a personal presentation, you will be informed a week before the interview date at the latest. You will also be informed if your project has not been shortlisted. Please wait until you have received the decision letter before contacting the BRIDGE office.

If the initial assessment of your project was positive, the evaluation panel will invite you to present your project in person and answer questions from the panel.

Tips

• Your presentation must be clear and comprehensible.
• During the presentation, explain how you plan to implement your project and what roles the various partners will play over the course of the project.
• You will receive additional information with the invitation as to which content to include in your presentation.

• The evaluation panel submits its funding recommendations to the Steering Committee, which makes the final decision on funding.
• You will be informed of the decision in writing, usually within six months of submitting your application.

Tips

• If your project is rejected, please read the decision carefully and contact the BRIDGE office if you have any questions.
• You can resubmit a rejected application once to a regular BRIDGE Discovery call provided that it has been revised and the call requirements are met.