Frequently Asked Questions

There is no limit to the project duration for innovation projects with implementation partners. Generally, innovation projects with an implementation partner last between 6 and 36 months.

However, for innovation projects without implementation partner, a project can last a maximum of 18 months.

Provided it is necessary for your innovation project, the cost-benefit ratio is justified and the implementation partner is willing to bear 50% of the project costs, there is no financial limit for innovation projects. This applies to all thematic domains.

Information about this can be found in the fact sheet on independence (PDF, 220 kB, 17.04.2020).

Eligibility for submitting an application is checked using a specific application for funding for an innovation project. Since this institution cannot yet be selected in the online application portal for applications involving new research partners, and no hourly rates for staff have been stored for these applications yet, the research partner must first get in touch at innoprojects@innosuisse.ch and let us know their request. The institution will then be incorporated in the application platform.

For the first application, personnel costs will then be calculated provisionally at the maximum hourly rates. The new research institution submits the documents listed in the information sheet (PDF, 280 kB, 25.02.2021) in parallel with the application for funding. If eligibility for contributions is recognised, the research centre must report its notional hourly rates to Innosuisse, and the personnel costs will be recalculated before the contract is drawn up.

In the online application platform, personnel costs are calculated on the basis of the standard notional hourly rates stored for the respective research institutions. Together with the material costs applied for, these make up the project budget. There is also an overhead (percentage calculation on the personnel costs) which is added. This gives you the funding budget. The cost ceiling is calculated taking into account the maximum rates for personnel costs, which are laid down in the implementing provisions (PDF, 444 kB, 04.01.2021).

Project budget: The project budget is calculated using the notional hourly rates determined for personnel and material costs in the application and is considered the planned budget for the project. Including the overhead, this gives you the funding budget.

Cost ceiling: The cost ceiling is calculated by means of the maximum hourly rates for project staff in the application and is stipulated in the funding agreement together with the project budget. The cost ceiling may be used up without amending the funding agreement provided the increase in personnel costs is due to reasonable salary increases, necessary higher contributions to social insurances, measures to compensate for inflation, salary increases due to changes in personnel within the same project function category, minor adjustments to the distribution of estimated working hours among the various personnel functions, or approved changes to key personnel. However, both the financial contribution (cash contribution) and the implementation partner’s own contribution are set in the funding agreement according to the funding budget and are not variable.

Effective costs: The effective costs are the verifiable costs incurred as a result of the project, which must be reported in the project’s final statement of accounts (including the relevant supporting documents). The amount of the final funding instalment and the amount actually paid out is determined on the basis of the final statement of accounts.

The eligible direct project costs are made up of personnel costs and material costs.

Contributions by Innosuisse are not subject to value-added tax as subsidies in accordance with Art. 18 Para. 2 Letter a of the VAT Act, but are counted as non-remuneration. On the other hand, the expenses incurred by the research centres for the project (e.g. costs for a machine) are subject to VAT. This means that the research centre’s expenses and financial cash contribution must be specified in the application and in the statement of accounts, in each case including VAT.

They are made up of salary costs and contributions to social insurances.

Only the function-related expenses for the project are eligible.The annual expenditure may not exceed the maximum annual gross salaries pursuant to Art. 5 Para. 1 of the Implementing Provisions (PDF, 444 kB, 04.01.2021) for innovation projects.

At the beginning of each calendar year, Innosuisse sends out a guide, a test certificate and an Excel template. The calculation of the notional hourly rates using an Excel template is roughly as follows: total sum of the annual gross salaries of all research institution staff per personnel function divided by full-time equivalents and annual productive hours. 

Innosuisse has sent all research partners who have previously taken part in projects an Excel template for the calculation of the notional hourly rates as well as a guide and a test certificate. If your institution has not received these documents, they can be requested by sending an e-mail to supervision@innosuisse.ch.

The annual hours that may be allocated to the project are based on the internal guidelines of the respective research institution or implementation partner. 

The rule that the salaries submitted for reimbursement may not be funded by other means applies equally to all project staff. The function criterion, or whether or the employment relationship is temporary or permanent, is not relevant.

No personnel costs can be claimed for project staff whose employment is already fully funded by the public sector or other third-party funding. If this is not the case for professors in a given funding application, it is the responsibility of the respective research partner to provide proof to this effect.

In the application, a flat rate of 20 percent based on salary costs is initially calculated to cover contributions to social insurances under the OASIA/InvIA/LECA, OPA and UIA.

No, Innosuisse does not recognise such payments as the relevant salary components of the project partners for project funding.

The hours must be entered according to the employee’s personnel function and his/her salary costs in the research institution and not according to his/her function within the project. 

Material costs are eligible provided they are necessary for the realisation of the project, do not relate to the basic infrastructure of a research institution and are not covered by the financial contribution of the implementation partner.

This may include costs for equipment, consumables, third-party services and international travel. Publication of research results and travel within Switzerland are not eligible (these are included in the overhead).

The claimed costs for research infrastructure must be necessary for the implementation of the project and may not be part of the research institution’s basic infrastructure. The rates of depreciation during the lifetime of the project, calculated according to the institution’s internal accounting rules, are eligible.

If the infrastructure (including infrastructure that already exists) is not exclusively used for an Innosuisse project, the actual share of use in the project can be booked to the project. The share of use must be duly verifiable (e.g. through laboratory notebooks) and auditable.

The costs of consumables that are necessary for the implementation of the project and that have been purchased during the lifetime of the project and are not part of the research institution’s standard infrastructure are eligible. The relevance to the project must be clearly documented (e.g. with a purchase receipt).

Project work is normally carried out by parties associated with the project.

The use of third parties must be justified and necessary for the project. This may also involve purchasing services from third parties, for example for computing time and cloud computing. If a research institution abroad has to be commissioned for certain tasks, these costs can be claimed as third-party services.

Travel costs are eligible provided they are absolutely necessary for the implementation of the project, in particular in the case of projects involving travel outside Switzerland. Costs for travel within Switzerland must be covered by the overhead portion and are not reimbursed separately.

Reimbursement of travel costs is based on the FDF’s Ordinance of 6 December 2001 on the Federal Personnel Ordinance.

The equipment and facilities that are part of the research centre’s basic infrastructure and usual operations and are standard cannot be procured at Innosuisse’s expense. Nor can their use be charged to Innosuisse.

Basic infrastructure includes equipment, materials and other items of infrastructure that are part of the standard equipment of a research institution with a comparable research purpose. This includes, for example, standard IT equipment including hardware and software or, in a clinical setting, disposable gloves and syringes. However, if a piece of software is directly related to the project and is essential to the project’s realisation, its costs can be claimed.

Innosuisse pays overhead contributions to all research partners who qualify.

Overhead contributions serve to partially cover the costs incurred by the research institutions as a result of research projects that Innosuisse supports within the scope of its project funding (Art. 33 RIPO).

As a flat-rate percentage based on personnel costs (salary costs and contributions to social insurances).

Parliament sets the maximum flat-rate payment. For the 2021–2024 financial period, this is 15 percent.

Innosuisse sets the applicable percentage relative to the funds that are available each year. For 2021, Innosuisse is paying the maximum 15-percent rate.

The overhead contribution is based on the percentage valid for the flat rate on the date on which the funding application is submitted.

Yes, the percentage of project funding applicable when the application is submitted is valid for the entire duration of the project.

Yes, the overhead contribution is shown separately from the direct project costs in the funding agreement. 

The overhead contribution is paid out together with the funding instalments for the direct project costs and divided equally in percentage terms.

The funding agreement or the financial acceptance letter will state the overhead per research centre in the case of projects involving several research centres.

The amount the implementation partners contribute to the project must be at least as much as Innosuisse’s calculated project contributions according to the funding budget set out in the funding agreement. The project contribution not including the overhead portion (i.e. not including the overhead contribution) is decisive here.

The implementation partners’ contribution is made up of in-kind contributions (their own work) and financial (cash) contributions to the research partners. The financial cash contribution is at least 10 percent of Innosuisse’s contribution to the project.

Financial contributions made by the implementation partners to the research partners in order to cover necessary costs incurred by the research partners in the course of implementation of the project (in particular salary and material costs) are counted towards the cash contribution.

The implementation partners’ personnel and material costs that are necessarily incurred due to their participation in the project are counted towards the in-kind contribution.To calculate the personnel costs in the application, the implementation partners use the notional hourly rates of the main research partner as well as a flat rate of 20 percent for contributions to social insurances.

Material costs are counted towards the in-kind contributions, provided that they are necessary for the proper implementation of the project and correspond to the effective costs, i.e. can be shown in the implementation partners’ operating accounts.

No, Innosuisse does not recognise such payments as the relevant salary components of the project partners for project funding.

The provisions of Art. 41 of the RIPO apply as a minimum. The project partners are in any case obliged to comply with these regulations when working together. Innosuisse can, however, stipulate that an agreement between the partners going beyond these provisions must be made. Such conditions are required by Innosuisse in the vast majority of approved projects. The project partners must individually negotiate and agree on all arrangements that go beyond the provisions set out in Art. 41 RIPO. Where such a requirement exists, the agreement must be submitted no later than three months after the start of the project.

PLEASE NOTE: As these negotiations are important and can be complex, Innosuisse advises the project partners to deal with this issue at an early stage and to have already reached at least an agreement in principle on this issue by the time the application process is started.

The project partners must submit the requested documents concerning intellectual property rights of use at the latest three months after the start of the project.

If Innosuisse has included such a condition in the funding agreement and communicated it in advance in the information letter about the project having been approved, Innosuisse will pay out 50% of the promised funding upon conclusion of the funding agreement, even if the signed agreement is not yet available. As a rule, the agreement must be in place three months after the start of the innovation project. The detailed provisions are laid down in the funding agreement.

The minimum requirements with regard to content are listed in Art. 41, Para. 2 of the RIPO. The content of any agreement going beyond these provisions is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Art. 41, Paras. 3 to 5 of the RIPO govern the rights that must be granted to the implementation partners as a minimum.

According to the legal requirements, the implementation partners have at least the right to the free, non-exclusive use and commercialisation of the results of the supported innovation project in the area of their goods and services. This is set out in Art. 41, Paras. 3 to 5 of the RIPO.

Yes, project contributions can be reallocated between personnel costs and material costs. For this purpose, a corresponding application must be submitted (Minor Changes form (XLS, 79 kB, 22.02.2021)). The application must be submitted during the course of the project.

In exceptional cases, additional costs beyond the estimated contribution laid down in the funding agreement may be approved in the context of a supplementary application if they are incurred as a result of approved changes to the project or were unforeseeable and not the responsibility of the project partners. The funding agreement is amended accordingly (Art. 11 of the Implementing Provisions Innovation Projects). The application form (XLS, 83 kB, 17.06.2021) must be completed and sent to Innosuisse: innoprojects@innosuisse.ch.

Personnel costs may be increased up to the cost ceiling without the need to amend the funding agreement in certain circumstances (for possible reasons, see in the section "Budget and costs of the research partner" the answer to the question “What is the significance of the project budget (target costs), the cost ceiling and the effective costs?”).

Financial interim reports currently only have to be submitted if expressly requested by Innosuisse. This regulation also applies to those projects for which the funding agreement requires a financial interim report. 

Notional hourly rates billing method: The notional hourly rates and contributions to social insurances (in %) submitted annually by the research partner and accepted by Innosuisse apply in the calculation. If no new hourly rates and contributions to social insurances have been approved for a year, those that were last approved apply.

Gross salaries billing method: The amount of the personnel costs (salary costs and contributions to social insurances) is effectively charged according to the submitted salary statement.

The material costs as well as the hours worked per year and function must be entered in the “Contributions by implementation partner” document and confirmed by signature.

Notional hourly rates method: The calculation is based on the notional hourly rates submitted by the main research partner and approved by Innosuisse. The calculation is made in the financial report.

Gross annual salary method: The calculation is based on the gross salaries declared by the implementation partner. The salaries must be documented by means of salary statements or extracts from an HR or SAP system, for example. The salaries must be transferred into the financial report.

The implementation partners’ contribution is based on the project budget set out in the funding agreement and therefore remains unchanged.

If the implementation partner’s contribution is less than  the amount defined in the funding agreement and no adequate reasons/justification are provided, Innosuisse’s funding may also be reduced accordingly.

Every company operating in Switzerland is assigned a unique company identification number (UID). To ensure that numbers are correctly assigned, managed and used, the UID register is run by the Federal Statistical Office. The UID register can be accessed via the following online address:
www.uid.admin.ch

The application has to be submitted by the implementation partner.

All research partners listed in the Overview of research centres with approved innovation projects (PDF, 281 kB, 25.02.2021) are entitled to execute innovation cheques. If your research partner is not named, he or she must belong to one of the following categories:

• University research centres in accordance with Art. 4 c RIPA
• Non-commercial research centres outside the higher education sector in accordance with Art. 5 RIPA
• Research institutes commissioned by departments of the federal government in accordance with Art. 16 (3) RIPA which carry out their own research projects for the purpose of fulfilling their mandates
• Federal research institutes in accordance with Art. 17 RIPA

In the “Collaborators” tab, you must always observe the following order:

1. Add “Organisation” using the Add button;
2. Add “Collaborators” using the Add button;
3. The invited person will receive an email asking them to log in to Analytics (to register for the first time, please follow these video instructions and enter the invitation code under “My applications > Enter code”;
4. Once the invitation has been accepted, you can assign the role under “Organisation representatives”. With a “project manager”, “main research partner” and “main implementation partner”, you can click directly into the field and select the person via drop-down;
5. Additional implementation and research partners can be added and a role assigned using the Add button.

Please check first under “Collaborators > last session” whether the collaborators have accepted the invitation and logged in to Analytics. Only then is it possible to assign a role to the collaborators.

No additional documents (evidence/records) have to be submitted with the final financial report. Confirmation by signature is sufficient.

Yes, the final financial report must be signed by both project partners.

No, there are no overhead contributions with the innovation cheques.

The research partner can choose either the notional hourly rates billing method or the gross salary method for the innovation cheque. It is important that the amounts indicated can be proven at Innosuisse’s request. This must first be discussed internally with the institution’s finance department.

The hourly rate and employer contribution applicable are those approved by Innosuisse in the year when the application was submitted. If no notional hourly rates for the relevant year have been approved when the innovation cheque is completed, the hourly rates and the employer contribution of the previous year will apply.

Yes, reallocations can be made without the need for approval by Innosuisse. However, if the total amount of material costs exceeds 7,500 Swiss francs, written consent must be obtained from Innosuisse.

The payment is made up of the eligible personnel expenses and material costs.

The amount is automatically transferred to the research partner after the 30-day appeal period has expired and after receipt of the final statements of account. It is not necessary to send an invoice to Innosuisse.

Yes, a one-off extension of six months can be requested by e-mail to innocheque@innosuisse.ch, indicating the reasons why an extension is required.

Yes, a budget increase can be requested in writing by e-mail to innocheque@innosuisse.ch if the awarded grant is less than 15,000 Swiss francs.

No, a company can receive a voucher for a preliminary study at most every two years.

The Innosuisse coaching vouchers are limited for use with the coaching options offered and cannot be paid out.

Yes. The Initial Coaching is a starting point for the Innosuisse Start-up Coaching.

The application cannot be edited once it is submitted. Additional documents will not be considered for the evaluation after submission.

All Innosuisse coaches have a proven track record of their expertise. Further information on the individual coaches is provided in the Innosuisse online tool. Extensive interviewing is therefore not expedient. However, it is recommended you contact and briefly discuss the match with a specific coach. Innosuisse can support you with the selection if you are unsure.

The relationship between you and Innosuisse is a funding relationship. The associated rights and obligations are set out in the “decision” you will receive when your application has been approved. A "decision” is a legal term for the paper document that Innosuisse sends to the applicants. This document contains the decision as to whether an application for coaching was approved or rejected.

Your partnership with a coach is governed by a standardised contract, which is implemented in the IT tool and automatically becomes effective as soon as that coach decides to accept your invitation to work together. You will need to specify a portion of your budget to be assigned to each coach for their services. The budget amount is to be agreed between you and the relevant coach directly. If necessary, the budget can be amended at any time in the Innosuisse online tool by mutual agreement.

Under certain circumstances it is possible to change the lead coach. This matter should first be discussed with the lead coach and subsequently requested with Innosuisse by email (startup@innosuisse.ch).

Coaches are paid for their flexible coaching services on an hourly basis at a standard hourly rate. The whole payments process is managed directly and electronically in the Innosuisse online tool.

The voucher is managed solely via the Innosuisse online tool provided by Innosuisse. There you can see which coach(es) you are working with and how much of your budget you have left.

The Innosuisse coaching voucher is only valid for Innosuisse- accredited coaches and cannot be used for coaches outside of the programme.

You can complete the programme anytime but must finish within six months after initiating coaching. In order to complete the coaching programme you have to submit a specific evaluation report in the Innosuisse online tool for review. You can do this as soon as you are ready to answer the questions in the form but no later than six months of initiating the coaching.

No, the portion of the budget that has not be used cannot be paid out.

The Innosuisse coaching vouchers are limited for use with the coaching options offered and cannot be paid out.

Yes. The Initial Coaching is a starting point for the Innosuisse Start-up Coaching.

The application cannot be edited once it is submitted. However, it is possible to send an updated pitch deck by email to startup@innosuisse.ch at the latest three days before the presentation at the Core Coaching Acceptance meeting. Additional documents will not be considered for the evaluation after submission.

All Innosuisse coaches have a proven track record of their expertise. Further information on the individual coaches is provided in the Innosuisse online tool. Extensive interviewing is therefore not expedient. However, it is recommended you contact and briefly discuss the match with a specific coach. Innosuisse can support you with the selection if you are unsure.

The relationship between you and Innosuisse is a funding relationship. The associated rights and obligations are set out in the “decision” you will receive when your application has been approved. A “decision” is a legal term for the paper document that Innosuisse sends to the applicants. This document contains the decision as to whether an application for coaching was approved or rejected.

Your partnership with a coach is governed by a standardised contract, which is implemented in the IT tool and automatically becomes effective as soon as that coach decides to accept your invitation to work together. You will need to specify a portion of your budget to be assigned to each coach for their services. The budget amount is to be agreed between you and the relevant coach directly. If necessary, the budget can be amended at any time in the Innosuisse online tool by mutual agreement.

Under certain circumstances it is possible to change the lead coach. This matter should first be discussed with the lead coach and subsequently requested with Innosuisse by email (startup@innosuisse.ch).

Coaches are paid for their flexible coaching services on an hourly basis at a standard rate (lead coach) or by a lump sum per workshop (special coach). The whole payments process is managed directly and electronically in the Innosuisse online tool.

The voucher is managed solely via the Innosuisse online tool provided by Innosuisse. There you can see which coach(es) you are working with and how much of your budget you have left.

The Innosuisse coaching voucher is only valid for Innosuisse-accredited coaches and cannot be used for coaches outside of the programme.

You will be provided with an official template by Innosuisse that can then be uploaded in the Innosuisse online tool.

The certificate reflects remarkable progress achieved during the Innosuisse Core Coaching programme and it confirms that your start-up is ready for sustainable growth considering various criteria.

Companies with this award get increased publicity, are more attractive to potential investors and improve their access to additional events, initiatives and programmes.

No, the portion of the budget that has not be used cannot be paid out.

The Innosuisse coaching vouchers are limited for use with the coaching options offered and cannot be paid out.

No, Innosuisse Certification is not a requirement to be eligible for the Scale-up Coaching.

The application cannot be edited once it is submitted. The Innosuisse office will reach out to you if it needs further clarification and/or documents are required.

All Innosuisse coaches have a proven track record of their expertise. Further information on the individual coaches is provided in the Innosuisse online tool. The information provided there is sufficient to make a selection. Innosuisse can support you with the selection if you are unsure.

The relationship between you and Innosuisse is a funding relationship. The associated rights and obligations are set out in the “decision” you will receive when your application has been approved. A “decision” is a legal term for the paper document that Innosuisse sends to the applicants. This document contains the decision as to whether an application for coaching was approved or rejected.

Your partnership with a coach is governed by a standardised contract, which is implemented in the IT tool and automatically becomes effective as soon as that coach decides to accept your invitation to work together. You will need to specify a portion of your budget to be assigned to each coach for their services. The budget amount is to be agreed between you and the relevant coach directly. If necessary, the budget can be amended at any time in the Innosuisse online tool by mutual agreement.

Yes. It is recommended approaching coaches who are relevant for your business challenges. You can approach and select individual coaches using the Innosuisse online tool. Innosuisse can support you with the selection.

Coaches are paid for their flexible coaching services on an hourly basis at a standard rate. The whole payments process is managed directly and electronically in the Innosuisse online tool.

The voucher is managed solely via the Innosuisse online tool provided by Innosuisse. There you can see which coach(es) you are working with and how much of your budget you have left.

The Innosuisse coaching voucher is only valid for Innosuisse-accredited coaches and cannot be used for coaches outside of the programme.

The submitted report/application cannot be edited once it is submitted. However, it is possible to send an updated pitch deck by email to startup@innosuisse.ch at the latest three days before the presentation at the Scale-up Award meeting. Any other additional documents after the submission are not considered for the evaluation.

You will be provided with an official template by Innosuisse that can then be uploaded to the Innosuisse online tool.

No, the portion of the budget that has not be used cannot be paid out.

Eligible costs include:

• effective personnel costs up to the following maxima of the gross salary;
  o Project coordinator and his/her deputy; experienced researcher: Maximum of CHF 220,500 gross per year or CHF 119 per hour;
  o Research assistant, scientific collaborator: CHF 126,000 gross per year or CHF 68 francs per hour;
  o Technician, programmemr: CHF 113,400 Swiss francs per year gross or CHF 61 per hour;
  o PhD student and assistant: CHF 85,100 gross per year or CHF 46 per hour.
• Depreciation costs of equipment and installations.
• Consumables
  
• Travel expenses abroad
• Subcontracts to third parties are eligible if they are not placed between the project partners
• Overhead costs of 15% on all eligible costs. 

Each Swiss partner must carry a part of their project financing through their in-kind contribution. Companies must demonstrate their capacity to provide their own contributions by means of an audit report, a confirmed investment or by providing evidence of other sources of funding. Universities and research institutions may claim their own contributions in the form of resources covered by basic funding. In-kind contributions may include all eligible costs.

A small and medium-sized organisation (up to 250 full-time equivalents) can apply for support from an innovation mentor at Innosuisse.

The basis for issuing the funding agreement is the listing of all project costs in a financial plan. This budget is more detailed than the cost summary in your application and sets out the eligible costs of the Swiss partners in a binding way. It serves as a reference for the settlement of accrued project costs.

The financial plan will be negotiated between the Swiss project partners and Innosuisse until all open questions have been clarified and the financing by Innosuisse, the EU and the partners themselves has been agreed. Based on the agreed financial plan, Innosuisse will issue the funding agreement. The funding agreement will only come into force when signed by all parties and is a prerequisite for the payment of the funding contributions.

Innosuisse will conduct a first partial payment of the funding amount in the form of an advance payment as soon as the consortium agreement and the funding agreement have been signed by all project partners. Your project can start at the earliest from the start date agreed in the consortium agreement and only after all parties have signed.

The project costs will be counted as eligible costs from the start date agreed in the consortium agreement, even if no signed funding agreement has yet been received.

You can now submit new applications for innovation projects through the Innolink application platform. You can still submit applications that are already in preparation through Analytics. Applications for innovation cheques and start-up coaching will be submitted through Analytics until further notice.

Through the Federal Administration’s eIAM system (“electronic identity and access management”), you can register for access to the application platform Innosuisse Analytics. eIAM manages a user’s access rights. This step is only necessary when registering for the first time.

The code is generated by the Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication FOITT. You can click on “Neuen Bestätigungscode anfordern” to request a new confirmation code. The codes sometimes take a short period of time to arrive. You can also follow the instructions on the CH-LOGIN Help under “SMS reception affected (mTAN has not arrived”. If this does not work, please contact the FOITT helpdesk at +41 (0) 58 465 88 88 or email servicedesk@bit.admin.ch.

1^st step: Use Firefox or Microsoft Edge, ensuring you are running the latest version available
2^nd step: Delete cookies and browsing history (Firefox/Microsoft EDGE)
3^rd step: Use the correct URL for the role. Link for applicants: research centres, companies, start-ups and other organisations: https://analytics.innosuisse.ch/pub

This is a general error message. Please try to log in again later.

You probably use an ad blocker in your browser to block adverts. This ad blocker alters the cookies that Innosuisse must have for you to log in to the system. This is why you are seeing this error message. Please turn off your ad blocker for the domains “*.innosuisse.ch” and “*.admin.ch” or allow cookies for these domains.

On the platform Innosuisse Analytics under “My Applications”, enter the code under “Enter Code”. The invitation code can be used to add new project members to projects.

Under “Collaborators” the “Admin” (point 1 in the picture) can check if the code is still valid; (point 2 in the picture). If the code is invalid, the admin can trigger a new code by clicking on the “re-send invitation” letter icon.

You can submit your application in German, French, Italian or English.

The user who locks the screen must first return to the overview, then log out. If the browser window is closed directly then the system will block editing. If this should unintentionally happen then log in again, open the application and exit correctly via “Overview” -> “Logout”.

(In the case of start-up coaching, this only applies in status “NEW” before the application is submitted.)

The format is irrelevant. What matters is that the images are inserted using the “Insert image” button. Recommended max. size: 1024x768 px and 1 MB.

Yes, the character limit is always stated in the input field at the bottom right. Spaces count as characters.

In eIAM (“electronic identity and access management”), users can edit their account. In the application platform Innosuisse Analytics, changes can be made under “My Profile”.

The specific instructions for making changes to your CH login can be found on the CH login help page.

You can change your postal address directly on the platform Innosuisse Analytics under “My profile”. The changes are automatically applied to the application if it is in status “New”. Please contact the relevant team in charge of your project to change an address for current projects/vouchers.
Innovation cheque or innovation project: innoprojects@innosuisse.ch
Start-up Coaching: startup@innosuisse.ch

In the “Collaborators” tab, you must always observe the following order:

1. Add “Organisation” using the Add button;
2. Add “Collaborators” using the Add button;
3. The invited person will receive an email asking them to log in to Analytics (to register for the first time, please follow these video instructions and enter the invitation code under “My applications > Enter code”;
4. Once the invitation has been accepted, you can assign the role under “Organisation representatives”. With a “project manager”, “main research partner” and “main implementation partner”, you can click directly into the field and select the person via drop-down;
5. Additional implementation and research partners can be added and a role assigned using the Add button.

Please check first under “Collaborators > last session” whether the collaborators have accepted the invitation and logged in to Analytics. Only then is it possible to assign a role to the collaborators.

The error message always incorrectly refers to the “planning page”, even if you have filled it in completely. However, the error lies in the “financial plan”. This usually happens on projects without implementation partner and you still have to answer all mandatory questions:

1. Please indicate reasons if cash contribution of implementation partner should be lower than 10%
2. Please indicate reasons if Innosuisse contributions should be higher than contribution of implementation partner

In the case of innovation projects without implementation partners, it is sufficient to place a blank space in the text.

1st possibility: the problem is caused by the images:
Images were inserted into the application using “Copy + Paste” and their quality or resolution is very high. A PDF cannot be generated as a result.
Solution:

• Reduce images to the maximum recommended size (1024x768 px and 1 MB);
• Insert images correctly using the insert button on the text editor;
• If you require analysis by a developer, please email innoprojects@innosuisse.ch to open a ticket.

2nd possibility: the problem is caused by a special character:
Texts were inserted using “Copy + Paste” and there may be a special character hidden in the formatting that the application converts to HTML. Another sign that there is a special character in the application is, upon downloading of the application, it displays a 0 byte file that cannot be opened.
Solution:

• If texts are copied, first delete all formatting (e.g. in the editor), then paste into the application;
• If you require analysis by a developer, please email innoprojects@innosuisse.ch to open a ticket.

This button is only available for users with the “Project Manager” function or “Contact Person” in the Start-up Coaching programme.

The role/function can be found in the application under “Collaborators > Organisation representatives”:

Yes. Applicants who wish to revise their application can copy it manually and resubmit it via the application platform Innolink.

If you are granted a voucher, you can search for coaches using the platform Innosuisse Analytics. Various search functions and the coaches’ skills profiles are available to help you find a suitable coach for your project. You will also find the coaches’ contact details so that you can enquire about a potential partnership with a relevant coach in advance. As soon as you have found a coach, you can use Innosuisse Analytics to invite this coach to support you during the coaching programme.

When initially being granted a voucher, Innosuisse will assist you in choosing a lead coach by issuing a recommendation to help you begin you coaching programme. Furthermore, at any time in the programme, if you have trouble finding a suitable coach, Innosuisse or your lead coach will be glad to help you.

N.B.: The voucher can only be redeemed with coaches in Innosuisse’s list of qualified coaches.

Coaches are paid for their flexible coaching services on an hourly basis at a standard hourly rate of CHF 200 (all inclusive). Special coaches are paid at set flat rates which depend on the service. This service is typically a bundled package e.g. in form of a clearly defined workshop.

The whole payment process is managed directly and electronically on the platform Innosuisse Analytics.

When a coach invoices for hours worked, a notification will appear on your dashboard under the heading “new payment requests”, marked with an orange exclamation point. If you click on the exclamation mark, you can access the invoice details and directly approve or reject it.

The relationship between you and Innosuisse will be a funding relationship. The associated rights and obligations are set out in the "ruling" you will receive when your application has been approved.[1]

Your partnership with a coach is governed by a standardised contract model from Innosuisse. This is available under the heading "Documents" on the platform Innosuisse Analytics. Every additional partnership with another coach or special coach requires an additional contract. You need to set the portion of your budget that you want to give to each of your coaches as compensation for their services. This amount will be agreed directly between you and the coach concerned. If necessary, the budget can be changed at any time by mutual agreement online on the platform Innosuisse Analytics.

The contract is usually concluded between you and a coach without any involvement from Innosuisse. However, Innosuisse may request evidence that a suitable contract has been concluded. Innosuisse must also be informed by e-mail (startup@innosuisse.ch) if you or the coach wish to amend the contents of the contract template. This is required so that Innosuisse can check whether the amended agreement is still compatible with the legal basis.

^{[1] A ruling is a legal term for the paper document that Innosuisse sends to the applicants. This document contains the decision as to whether an application for coaching was approved or rejected.}

You will find a copy of the contract in the “Documents” section of your voucher on the platform Innosuisse Analytics. When you invite a coach for coaching activities, you must accept the terms of the contract that will bind you to the coach.

The voucher is managed solely via the platform Innosuisse Analytics. This tool shows your milestones, which coaches you are working with and how much of your budget you have left. You can also use this tool to perform tasks such as inviting more coaches to work with you on your start-up.

MUC means message unlock code. Digital mail must be encrypted. To read the mail, you the recipient must know the code and enter it. It is a five-digit numerical code with no special characters (instructions are provided in the information text in the MUC input window).

As with letter post, you must collect digital registered mail within seven days. After that, the link will expire and Innosuisse will receive the message that the mail could not be delivered.

If you already have an account with PrivaSphere or IncaMail, there is no need to enter an MUC. In addition, Innosuisse can deactivate the entry of a MUC in exceptional cases. This may be the case for official documents with standardised content that does not include sensitive data.

You do not need a PrivaSphere account to receive official documents from Innosuisse. It is sufficient if you enter the corresponding MUC for the respective mail.

If you are in regular contact with Innosuisse, we recommend you open a free account with PrivaSphere or IncaMail. You will then no longer need to enter the MUC. You will also have other options available to you. For example, you can manage the messages received or send messages via PrivaSphere as well.

The message is considered as not delivered. In this case, Innosuisse will deliver the mail again at a later date (if necessary, via a different means). Kindly note that this may cause delays.

Innosuisse is committed to further digitalising its processes to meet the needs of its customers. However, you are free to ask for official items to be delivered by letter post. Innosuisse will then send you the documents again by letter post. Kindly note that this may cause delays.

Yes. Our employees have PrivaSphere accounts. This means that you can also send us all e-mail messages securely using PrivaSphere. Please select the “CONFIDENTIAL” sending option for this.

In addition, Innosuisse provides PrivaSphere forms on certain parts of its website, which you can use to send us confidential submissions on certain topics (such as specific calls for tenders) in confidence.

Yes. If available for the desired funding instrument, please continue to submit applications directly on the Innosuisse application platform (Analytics / Innolink).

According to legal requirements, when official documents (e.g. decisions or provisions) are sent electronically, it must be ensured that the transmission is secure and that the delivery of the transmission can be tracked. For this purpose, public-law organisations such as Innosuisse can use the delivery platforms recognised by the federal government (currently PrivaSphere and IncaMail).

Innosuisse sends you decisions and provisions via PrivaSphere. Innosuisse will also send you documents with confidential content in this way. Kindly note that we reserve the right to reply to regular e-mail messages using regular e-mail as well. We consider the choice of channel used by the sender to be authorisation to use the same channel.

There is no charge for receiving digital registered mail. Depending on the provider, you can also send a certain number of registered items of mail each month free of charge. Please consult the providers’ websites:
www.incamail.com; www.privasphere.com.

Yes. Both IncaMail and PrivaSphere are recognised by the Swiss Confederation and propose mutually functioning delivery platforms. If your e-mail address is linked to an IncaMail account, the pickup link in the invitation e-mail will forward you to your IncaMail account. There, you will basically find the same functionalities.