The call for joint innovation projects is aimed at companies of any size and research institutions in Switzerland and Brazil (consortia) looking to carry out a joint science-based innovation project.
Purpose of the Call
Brazil 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 in Brazil and Switzerland. The Call is open for all scientific disciplines; however projects for products or services in following topics are particularly appreciated:
- Biotech; Medtech; Healthtech
- Agritech and Foodtech
- Bioeconomy; Circular economy
- Climatech and Sustainability
- Cleantech; Clean energy & water
- Digitalization; Industry 4.0; Advanced materials
- Innovation and creativity (social, technical, cultural)
- Mobility
The aim is to strengthen the activity of the business and research community of both countries. EMBRAPII 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 project consortia must include at least one business entity from each country and one research institute accredited by EMBRAPII as “EMBRAPII unit”.
- 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 one designated main project contact.
- The project duration is between 18 and 36 months.
- 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.
- Along with the proposal, the consortium is encouraged to present a draft agreement on the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).
- 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 and 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 new solutions. The main objectives in terms of performance enhancement of the new solution 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 solution (product, process or service).
Main evaluation criteria for Brazilian participants
- Scope of a project must be in line with the expertise of one of the EMBRAPII Units in Brazil
- Brazilian part of the project must be developed/managed by an EMBRAPII Unit
- International cooperation should provide a significant added-value
- The “Technology Readiness Level” (TRL) should range from experimental proof-of-concept (TRL 3) to technology demonstrated in relevant environment (TRL 6). Projects that are co-financed by the Brazilian Development Bank – BNDES, may be within the 7 to 9 range of the TRL scale
Submission procedures
Pre-proposals (mandatory) until 28 June 2023
- Brasilian participants have to submit a formal EMBRAPII application to the EMBRAPII contact person, rita.macedo@embrapii.org.br
- 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 must be submitted exclusively via the PrivaSphere transfer platform. Please add “JOINT CALL BR-CH 2023” in the subject field, and select option “Brazil” 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 30 September 2023
- Brazilian participants have to submit a formal EMBRAPII application to the EMBRAPII contact person, rita.macedo@embrapii.org.br
- Swiss participants have to submit the Innosuisse application and the updated joint call document via the submission portal of Innosuisse (innolink.innosuisse.ch),
- Please select
the drop-down option “Brazil” 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.
