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BRIDGE Proof of Concept: high demand, great variety

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Large numbers of applications for the two calls in the first half of 2025 led to 22 innovative Proof of Concept projects spanning a variety of subject areas.

Compared to 2024, researchers submitted around a third more Proof of Concept project applications in the first half of 2025. The number of proposals received in March 2025 is the third highest since the programme was launched in 2017, thus confirming the trend towards growing interest over the last three calls. Twenty-two of the 102 projects submitted convinced the evaluation panel with their quality and will now be funded. The panel recommended a wide variety of proposals for funding: projects range from educational games and design and architecture through to biotechnology, artificial intelligence and engineering.

Innovative therapeutic environments

Yunni Cho is pursuing a vision with her project at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. She plans to draw up design guidelines for therapeutic environments focusing on nature and culture. She wishes to actively support psychiatric treatment with innovative healing gardens, thereby contributing to improved healthcare. The guidelines are being developed within the framework of a collaborative, interdisciplinary network comprising psychiatric clinics, cultural organisations and academic institutions throughout Europe.

Kokumi!

Certain taste receptors in the mouth elicit the so-called kokumi sensation – an enhancement of the intensity, duration and abundance of flavour. Kokumi is a Japanese word meaning "rich flavour". Daniel Batora and his team from the University of Bern have identified special botanical extract formulations that intensify the umami flavour on the tongue. This enables sodium, sugar and fat to be efficiently reduced in food production with the same fullness of flavour. This in turn can have a positive impact on the health of consumers. Batora has already founded a start-up to implement the project commercially.

Forthcoming BRIDGE calls for innovative projects

There will be two further opportunities to submit Proof of Concept project proposals before the end of the year. In addition, a special Discovery call for quantum technologies is currently open until 16 September 2025. The next submission deadline for regular Discovery projects will be in early 2026.

Upcoming submission deadlines (17:00 CET)


Further information is available on the project websites: