\section*{Preparing a BRIDGE Discovery project description}

The project description provides the necessary details for the evaluation of your project. It allows the evaluation panel to determine whether and to what extent the evaluation criteria are met. This is an essential element in the selection process to determine the best projects for funding.

\section*{Objectives of BRIDGE and BRIDGE Discovery}
The overall aim of BRIDGE is to make better use of the economic and/or societal potential of research findings and to facilitate research-based innovation by accelerating the uptake of research findings that may be transformed into products, services and further commercial or non-commercial solutions for the benefit of the Swiss society and economy.
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The funding line "BRIDGE Discovery" fosters projects that aim to establish, explore and implement the innovation potential of research results. It supports qualified researchers who intend to conduct a research and innovation project with the clear goal of developing an application, a service, a method or a process. Submitted projects demonstrate the societal and/or economic impact of the innovation to be developed. BRIDGE Discovery supports interactions between basic and applied research to implement the innovation potential of scientific results.

\section*{Evaluation criteria}
BRIDGE Discovery projects are evaluated according to the following criteria (see \href{https://www.bridge.ch/media/en/jfEzfWt7VDjGvOEi/BRIDGE_Discovery_Regulations_en.pdf}{regulations}, article 19):
\begin{enumerate}
\item Quality of the project
	\begin{enumerate}
	\item \emph{Innovative potential}: The project must present a credible vision of the potential impacts of the innovation as well as of its possible implementation;
	\item \emph{Scientific content:} 
	\begin{itemize}
	\item The project‘s scientific objectives must be of high quality and must address relevant needs (e.g. technological, societal, environmental, economic).
	\item The objectives should be related to the intended innovation and not just represent a continuation of the basic research. The proposed methods must be suitable, clearly defined, and relevant to the objectives.
	\end{itemize}
	\item \emph{Feasibility:} The project must be feasible and goal-oriented according to its work plan and defined milestones (including valorisation of a process where applicable) and must include a realistic budget;
	\item \emph{Implementation:} The project must contain a convincing roadmap, including the involvement of the necessary stakeholders, and a strategy outlining the envisaged steps towards implementation.
	\end{enumerate}
\item Applicant’s qualifications:
	\begin{enumerate}
	\item The applicants demonstrate an appropriate level of both scientific and innovation-based competences, including the relevant skills needed to successfully complete the project (e.g. managerial and entrepreneurial skills as well as in-depth understanding of the topic);
	\item In projects with more than one applicant, their competences must be complementary and their collaboration must deliver a clear added value. Moreover, the applicants must be able to show that they are capable of organising the consortium and establishing appropriate project-internal communication and decision processes. Cooperation between universities, the Swiss federal institutes of technology and research institutes on the one hand, and universities of applied sciences (UAS) and universities of teacher education (UTE) on the other are considered a positive feature in the evaluation process.
	\end{enumerate}
\item Additional criteria, used for prioritisation in case of equivalently rated projects:
	\begin{enumerate}
	\item Proposals that contribute to a sustainable economic, societal or environmental impact will be given priority;
	\item Proposals that increase diversity will be given priority in order to mitigate imbalances in the success rate for categories such as, e.g., proposals by female applicants, variety of institutions, variety of disciplines, variety of institutions from various language regions.
	\end{enumerate}
\end{enumerate}

\section*{Project description}
The project description must consist of original content written and prepared by yourself. A limited amount of text (or other features such as graphs, etc.) taken from your own publications or existing documents is acceptable. Any text or illustrations from other sources must be clearly designated as such and a verifiable source must be indicated nearby and in the bibliography (see SNSF Regulations on scientific misconduct (Research Integrity Regulations) of 12 July 2016).
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The project description must be written in English. It must comprise three sections – an introduction; an outline of the project's innovative potential and impact; and a project plan (2, 3 and 4). These three sections are preceded by a summary (1). Please adopt the chapter headings listed below. Provide as many details as necessary for the evaluation of your project in line with the relevant criteria.
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The entire project description must not exceed 20 pages, excluding the bibliography and the one-page summary. A minimum of point 10 font size and 1.5 line spacing must be used. In general, the project description should not contain any annexed documents.
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Please ensure that all relevant information about your proposed project is included in the project description. There is the possibility to upload certain additional documents on the \href{https://bridge.mysnf.ch}{BRIDGE web platform}, but these are typically limited to quotes, CVs of project partners, or letters of intent from implementation partners. The project description must follow the structure given on the following pages.
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\emph{Please remove the first five pages (i--v) of the template prior to submission.}

\newpage

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\section{Summary}
The summary (maximum 1 page) should describe the aims of the project, how they will be achieved and what the expected outcome of the project will be.

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\section{Introduction}

\subsection{Current state of research in the field \& maturity of the project}
\begin{itemize}
\item Describe how your project relates to the current state of research in your field. Make reference to the most important publications, particularly by other authors.
\item Please define the current stage of maturity for your project according to our \href{https://www.bridge.ch/media/de/ttDfgJP5hNP6V8WC/BRIDGE_Discovery_checklist.pdf}{guidelines}.
\end{itemize}

\subsection{Own achievements in the field}
Present your achievements in the relevant field; describe the results obtained so far as well as the relevance of these preliminary undertakings for your project. Make reference to your most important publications, patents, and/or other achievements in the field.

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\section{Innovative potential and impact}

\subsection{Innovative potential}
\begin{itemize}
\item Provide first a clear definition of the proposed innovation (statement in 3-4 sentences).
\item Describe the unique selling proposition(s) (USP) of your solution to explain what the novelty is and how it differs from other similar solutions. Explain how the proposed solution is innovative and not just an implementation of best practices. Support your statements with facts and figures to ensure that your description is credible.
\end{itemize}

\tipbox{Present a credible vision of your intended innovation and put it in the context of already existing solutions.}

\subsection{Impact on economy, society}
Elaborate on the expected possible impacts of your planned innovation on society, the market or sustainability. How can your innovation benefit society and/or offer the economy a competitive advantage? Who are the beneficiaries of your innovation? If you are successful, what difference will it make?

\tipbox{If possible, please provide quantifiable parameters (e.g., social outputs, other outcomes, services, etc.) allowing for the assessment of the potential impact of your solution.}

\subsection{Sustainability}
Explain how the project contributes to sustainable development. Follow our \href{https://www.bridge.ch/media/de/ttDfgJP5hNP6V8WC/BRIDGE_Discovery_checklist.pdf}{guidelines}.

\subsection{Intellectual Property (IP) situation}
\begin{itemize}
\item Present an overview of the current situation concerning the intellectual property (e.g. existing patents, copyrights, competitors).\footnote{Please find more information \href{https://www.bridge.ch/en/st0yvwwiEdEqugoc/page/support/intellectual-property}{here}.}
\item Provide information about the use of rights in the IP strategy.
\end{itemize}

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\section{Project plan}

\subsection{Scientific aims \& challenges}
Describe the intended research goals and the corresponding challenges. Elaborate on the expected generation of knowledge and scientific impacts of your project.
\begin{itemize}
\item What are you trying to achieve? Clearly formulate your objectives, avoiding too much jargon.
\item How is this done today and what are the limits of current practice?
\end{itemize}

\subsection{Methods \& practical approach}
Present your methods and the practical approach you adopt in order to reach your objectives and to tackle the challenges.

\subsection{Validation steps \& expected results}
For each line of research:
\begin{itemize}
\item Describe the validation steps: how do you validate the applicability of your approach to achieve the planned innovation?
\item Describe the expected results and how they will be measured. If applicable, you may define yes/no criteria to assess the feasibility of your innovation at each key step.
\end{itemize}

\subsection{Innovation roadmap \& implementation strategy}
\begin{itemize}
\item Present a roadmap that enables or facilitates the implementation of your planned scientific achievements into practical applications. Indicate the progress you expect in terms of maturity for your project according to our \href{https://www.bridge.ch/media/de/ttDfgJP5hNP6V8WC/BRIDGE_Discovery_checklist.pdf}{guidelines}.
\end{itemize}

\tipbox{Describe the steps to transfer the results to practice/business during and after the end of the project (e.g., how do you plan to bring your idea to market/end users or to relevant partners who will implement your results in an application, a service, a method, or a process?).}

\begin{itemize}
\item Discuss how you can reach end-users and how you could ensure that your solution is adopted.
\item Describe your implementation strategy outlining the envisaged steps for implementing research outcomes into economical and/or societal value.
\end{itemize}


\tipbox{Structure your implementation strategy considering, in particular, unique selling proposition (USP), (societal) value creation, competitive environment, existing market, market access, IP situation, regulatory situation, scalability, possible business model, financial sustainability to support the solution after the end of the project, etc.}

\begin{itemize}
\item Include the main challenges you expect to face with regard to implementation strategy and partners, as well as how you intend to tackle them (risk mitigation chapter \ref{riskmitigation}).
\end{itemize}


\tipbox{If you are planning to found a start-up company or a non-profit organisation, indicate how advanced your plans are in this respect.}

\subsection{Milestones}\label{milestones}
Present a detailed project plan including work packages, milestones and deliverables. One of the work packages should concern implementation, e.g., by comprising either a business case or a clear plan for value creation and for reaching end-users.
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The presented measures must be feasible and realistic within the timeframe of the funding period.

\tipbox{Present your milestones and work packages in a structured way, e.g., with a Gantt chart or a table. A table is provided below as an example. Provide a detailed and concrete project plan with measurable deliverables and milestones in order to measure success and impact, based upon clear criteria.}

\subsection{Management of the project}

\subsubsection{Responsibilities \& relevant skills}

\begin{itemize}
\item	Outline the project setup including the team involved. Explain how you cover the relevant skills needed to successfully complete the project (e.g., managerial and entrepreneurial skills, in-depth understanding of all aspects of the research topic as well as its application).
\item Please clarify the role of team members (e.g., do they want to leave academia / create a start-up? Who will be responsible for the implementation of the project?).
\end{itemize}

\subsubsection{Benefit of the consortium (if applicable)}
If the project is being carried out by a consortium: describe how the collaboration between the different applicants will benefit the project and explain how the project is organised.

\tipbox{Highlight the complementarity in the competencies required to achieve the project goals.}

\subsubsection{Benefit of the consortium (if applicable)}
If project partners and/or implementation partners are involved, explain how the collaboration with them will benefit the project and document their contributions in the project plan (see also chapter \ref{milestones}).

\subsubsection{Justification of budget}
\begin{itemize}
\item Include a justification of the requested budget.
\item If infrastructure is purchased for $\geqslant$ CHF 50,000, outline how the host institution guarantees the operation and maintenance of the acquired infrastructure.
\end{itemize}

\subsection{Risk mitigation plan} \label{riskmitigation}
Describe the scientific, managerial, innovation-related and operational risks you expect during the project in terms of research, implementation strategy and partners. Describe how you plan to mitigate these risks.

\tipbox{If you intend to hire PhD students, please outline how you will support them if the project ends before they are able to graduate.}

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\section*{Bibliography}
List the different sources of information which explain, validate, and/or substantiate your text, in particular concerning the scientific background. References in the bibliography must show up with full title and list of authors (\emph{do not use ''et al.''}) and should be publicly available.