BRIDGE — Joint Innosuisse / Swiss National Science Foundation programme

BRIDGE Discovery

Funds experienced Swiss researchers conducting applied research with high translational potential for industry adoption.

BRIDGE Discovery is a joint funding program of Innosuisse and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) that provides grants of up to CHF 2.5 million over up to 48 months for experienced researchers leading applied research with clear innovation potential. The BRIDGE program was created to close the gap between basic research, which SNSF funds, and science-based innovation, which Innosuisse funds, by supporting projects that have significant scientific novelty and a credible pathway toward commercial or societal application. BRIDGE Discovery specifically targets experienced researchers — typically professors or senior scientists — who are working simultaneously in basic and applied research during a pre-competitive phase where neither SNSF nor a standard Innosuisse Innovation Project alone is the right fit. A companion track, BRIDGE Proof of Concept, addresses younger researchers (postdocs, PhD students) with smaller awards up to CHF 130,000 over 12 months.

BRIDGE Discovery grants cover the salaries of project employees and research costs directly linked to the project; the lead applicant's own salary is not covered. Eligible organizations are Swiss research institutions — universities, non-commercial research centres, and federal research institutes. For-profit companies are ineligible. The estimated annual pool is approximately CHF 25 million, representing the majority of the CHF 30 million total BRIDGE program budget. Eligible TRL range is 2 through 5. Applications are reviewed jointly by SNSF and Innosuisse through coordinated calls; the tenth BRIDGE Discovery call for projects was launched in February 2026, demonstrating the program's continued active status.

The dual SNSF-Innosuisse governance structure means that evaluators assess both scientific rigor and innovation potential — a project strong on one dimension but weak on the other is unlikely to succeed. Applicants should articulate specific mechanisms by which basic research findings translate to applications, quantify the innovation gap being addressed, and demonstrate that the 48-month window and the requested budget are appropriate for the stated milestones. Projects spanning life sciences, engineering, ICT, energy and environment, and materials science are all eligible.