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Innosuisse – Schweizerische Agentur für Innovationsförderung

Application for the «NTN - Innovation Booster»Funding period 2022- 2025

This document is the template form to submit the «NTN - Innovation Booster» application for the 2022-2025 funding period. Details are described in the documents «Call for tender - Innovation Booster – Concept document» (subsequently referred to as «concept») and «Call for tender - Innovation Booster - Guide to submitting an application» (subsequently referred to as «Guide»).

Attachments to be submitted with the application by March 26th 2021:A) Information on key persons, including curriculum vitae (max 5 CVs)B) Submission of declaration of support for the implementation of the Innovation Booster Initiative by stake-

holders from universities, industry and society C) Documents demonstrating that the applicant is an incorporated non-profit organization with a registered

office in Switzerland.

Application «NTN - Innovation Booster» for the funding period 2022-2025 2

1 General information (this text will be published if the application is approved)

1.1 Name of the «NTN - Innovation Booster»(max. 100 characters)«NTN - Innovation Booster» - Description of the thematic covered

1.2 Responsible contact person of the applicant (Leading House):Last Name:

First Name:

Salutation:

Organisation Name:

Street:

Homepage:

Postcode:

Location:

Canton:

E-mail:

Phone:

Mobile (optional):

1.3 Short description of the «NTN - Innovation Booster» goals and strengths(max. 500 characters)


2 Management Summary (will not be published)Why should Innosuisse support this «NTN - Innovation Booster»? (max. 3000 characters)


3 Approval of the application process (Guide, Chapter 3)The applicant accepts that☐ No legal claim arises from the submission of an application.☐ Innosuisse has the decision-making authority to make a selection of future «NTN - Innovation Boost-

ers» with a view to national overall interests (e.g. thematic coverage) and the overall Innosuisse budget.

☐ The applicant confirms that he accepts the competition described in the document «Guide», as well as the deadlines and requirements for submitting tenders. This includes, in particular, compliance with the following deadlines: 26 March 2021: Last date for submission of application for participation 6 – 7 July 2021: In case of a positive evaluation of the participation request in the pre-selection:

Short presentation of the «NTN - Innovation Booster» answering questions in the context of a hear-ing of Innosuisse.

December 2021: Signing of the subsidy contract and the annual agreement 2022.

4 Minimum requirements (Guide, Chapter 4)

The following criteria concern formal specifications for an «NTN-Innovation Booster». These are minimum requirements for the applicant whose non-compliance results in a formal rejection in the pre-selection phase.

4.1 Acceptance of the legal framework (Guide, Chapter 4.1)The applicant accepts that: ☐ Innosuisse applies a contribution model that:

a) provides for a breakdown into contribution componentsb) makes the actual contributions dependent on specified performance measurements

☐ The first agreement is limited to the first year.☐ The distribution of funds contains a component that is performance-related and one dependent on

third-party funds and can fluctuate between minimum and maximum available funds.☐ The resources for ideas funding are not paid out as a lump sum but rather on the basis of a concrete

list of the ideas to be funded, the amount of the contributions (including possible third-party contribu-tions), the planned use of the funds and the recipients of the support contributions

☐ The fulfilment of the performance and third-party targets are evaluated every year.☐ Innosuisse may take measures at any time or terminate funding with effect from the end of any annual

agreement period in the event of insufficient target attainment or breach of agreement.☐ After two years, a general evaluation of the development of the «NTN – Innovation Booster» and its

effectiveness takes place (go – no-go decision). On the basis of this evaluation a new yearly agree-ment is drawn up or, in the event of insufficient performance and poor prospects of activating the po-tential set out in the original application, a decision can be taken by Innosuisse to discontinue funding.

☐ In case of discontinuation before project completion there shall be no claim to full payment of the ap-proved cost ceiling over a period of four years.


4.2 Applicant requirements (Guide, Chapter 4.2)

Organisational form of the Leading HouseIt must be clear from the applicant’s legal basis that it is a non-profit organisation. The necessary docu-ments containing the information demonstrating compliance with these requirements must be submitted along with the application (as Appendix C).As a rule, an organisation is deemed to be based in Switzerland if it has a company identification number in Switzerland.

☐ The applicant confirms that the applicant organisation is not for profit and has its registered office in Switzerland.

Notes to the organisation form if needed (with reference to the precise passages in the documents forming Appendix C):(max. 500 characters)

Swiss company identification number of the organi-sation1

☐ The applicant acknowledges that he is the sole contractual partner vis-à-vis Innosuisse who, as a grant recipient, holds all rights and obligations for the execution of the project: Keep a transparent accounting system with key figures for Innosuisse financial control Orderly reporting and financial audit for the attention of the executive bodies and Innosuisse Compliance with performance agreements and the framework contract

Allocation of funds for idea financing ☐ The applicant assumes responsibility for ensuring that the allocation of financial resources for the fi-

nancing of ideas is carried out in a process that is open, transparent and fair to all interested parties and that the minimum criteria (see Guide Section 4.2) are met.

External perception☐ The applicant assumes responsibility for ensuring that the external perception of the «NTN – Innova-

tion Booster» is not limited to the representatives of the leading house but focuses on the innovation theme and the consortium, according to the Innovation Booster communication guidelines defined by Innosuisse.

Description of the envisaged measures:(max. 1500 characters)

1 Link to the UID-register: https://www.uid.admin.ch/Search.aspx?lang=en

https://www.uid.admin.ch/Search.aspx?lang=en


4.3 Reporting and proof of performance (Guide Chapter 4.3)☐ The leading house confirms that it is able to carry out the tasks within its organisation and is account-

able at all times for the procurement and use of funds, the activities, the stakeholders and the legal transactions in a transparent manner.

4.4 Training, dialogue and promotion (Guide Chapter 4.4)☐ The leading house declares its consent to participate in fee-based training, exchange and promotional

activities organised by Innosuisse or on behalf of Innosuisse that serve to build and develop an open culture of innovation in Switzerland.

4.5 Complementary support (Guide Chapter 4.5)Describe the source, amount and purpose of any additional public funds you may receive for similar or similar purposes: (max. 1000 characters)

The applicant hereby confirms that☐ The «NTN – Innovation Booster» corresponds to the concept described here and therefore Innosuisse

is the designated authority for the supervision of development and use of the funds.☐ It can be ensured that funds from two federal instruments are not used for the same purpose. ☐ A deadweight effect is excluded, i.e. the Innosuisse funds are important for the implementation of the

«NTN – Innovation Booster».

Justification if other funding is provided:(max. 1000 characters)


5 Content criteria (Guide Chapter 5)Content criteria are used to assess whether the Innosuisse funding applied for will be used in accordance with the designated funding objective, whether it can have a sufficiently positive impact on the Swiss econ-omy and society and whether the applicant can be expected to be able to achieve the required performance. The assessment criteria listed here must be documented and described in a complete, detailed and clearly understandable manner. If a requirement is subdivided into individual points, all these individual points must be dealt with in detail.If the point is described in detail elsewhere, a reference to the corresponding text passage is sufficient.References to further documents are permitted but must refer precisely to the relevant passages in the docu-ments.The quantitative criteria are assessed with full scores between 0 and the specified maximum score.

A Future potential of the innovation topic for Switzerland. 20 points

Please describe: The scientific basis on which the innovation topic is based and that it is suitable for initiating concrete

sustainable innovation ideas and cross-industry and cross-application R&D projects that could lead to (radical) process, product or service innovation in the foreseeable future (4 to 8 years).

The relevance of the topic on the basis of expected economic indicators (in particular potential gross value added and jobs in potentially beneficial sectors and/or cost savings in the public sector).

How the active promotion of the topic through the Innovation Booster Initiative will create added value for important parts of the Swiss economy and/or society, and explain why this would not be possible without the programme (avoiding competing effects for already established initiatives).

(max. 3000 characters)


B Significance of the innovation topic for the Swiss economy and society Max. 20 points

Please describe: Which substantial subject-specific contacts to interested companies (SMEs and large companies), in-

terest groups and various industries already exist today and which concerns and expectations of the eco-nomy and/or society regarding the innovation topic you are already familiar with.

Why do you think that the implementation partners and interested parties from industry and society will recognise sufficient added value in the foreseeable future in dealing with the innovation topic and are pre-pared to use their own resources for the development of ideas.



C Significance of the innovation topic for application-oriented research Max. 20 points

Please describe: Which substantial, topic-specific contacts to interested scientists at relevant research institutions at vari-

ous universities and research institutes already exist today? How the impulses which can be given in the innovation topic by new scientific knowledge, methods or

technologies are sufficiently large to secure the interest of the researchers.(max. 3000 characters)


D Effectiveness of the proposed methods and mechanisms for the promotion of knowledge and technology transfer Max. 20 points

Please describe: How the «NTN - Innovation Booster» will bring academic partners together with interested companies

and stakeholders and how to ensure access to thematic, research relevant information and facilities. Which suitable formats will be used to promote the exchange between the relevant actors (possible final

customers, scientists and implementation partners) around the innovation topic. Which suitable methods will be used to support the actors in order to address the aspects of "need",

"feasibility" and "economic efficiency" and to develop verifiable, viable process, product or service ideas and concepts.

What measures will be taken to enable the emergence of an open culture of innovation between actors and the promotion of common learning and exchange of experience between participants, without dis-closing or jeopardising trade secrets, competitive advantages or intellectual property worth protecting.

How to ensure that the «NTN - Innovation Booster» has access to the necessary methodological skills and the right personalities to successfully animate and implement this programme.

How the implementation partners will be supported in embedding the innovation ideas in their strategic planning and positioning them in relation to their current business context (see concept Chapter 3.5.4).

How you will gather feedback from participants to optimize the effectiveness and benefit of the methods and formats used.



E Potential to address the innovation topic at national level Max. 20 points Please describe:• How you are supported by a Swiss community of relevant stakeholders from business, society and aca-

demia and how do you cooperate with other networks, associations and interest groups (where appropri-ate) to fully exploit the potential of the innovation theme.

• How you are in a position to address, network and activate all relevant actors from Swiss universities, business and society within the innovation topic vertically (along the value chain), horizontally (across topics and sectors) and geographically (supra-regionally, nationally, internationally).

• How you will collect inputs to define concrete working topics together with relevant circles, which will be met with broad interest among the actors by addressing relevant problems, enabling new approaches to solutions or addressing future business areas.


Optional (has no influence on the score)Please describe:• Which international thematic networks and programs and funding schemes exist that could be relevant

for the «NTN - Innovation Booster» and how you could involve them in the development of sustainable innovations.



F The budget, in particular the plausibility of the stated costs, the cost/benefit ratio, the degree of self-financing and grants from third parties(Guide Chapter 5.1) Max. 20 points

Please describe: A detailed budget for the first regular contribution year (2022) and explain how the funds are raised (third-

party funding) and used. How the budget is expected to develop over the four-year period (2022-2025) and what total amount you

apply for from Innosuisse (cost ceiling). Which two performance targets you set yourself and what measures you plan to take to achieve them. The mechanisms through which you intend to generate third-party funding and the measures you plan to

take to achieve the third-party funding objectives.

Please note that Innosuisse subvention will not include VAT; in case of external services subjected to VAT, this will be reimbursed by Innosuisse but needs to be included in the budget.

Detailed budget for the first regular contribution year (2022)

IncomeContribution from Innosuisse:

Activity Financing (≤50%) CHF Funding of ideas (≥50%) CHF

Subtotal (max. CHF 500'000) CHF

Third party contributions: Contributions to idea funding: CHF

Participation fees to workshops, events: CHF Sponsoring CHF

Donations CHFIncome from services CHF

e.g. – Courses CHF- Workshops CHF

Subtotal (minimum 10% of Innosuisse contributions) CHF

Total income CHF

ExpensesPersonnel Expenses Leading House1):

Management and coordination (Full Time Equivalents to be specified below) CHF

Administration (Full Time Equivalents to be specified below) CHFOthers (please specify and ensure it is eligible expenses only) CHF

Subtotal CHF

Functional Costs2):Compensation of Committees and Experts CHF

Marketing & Communication CHFIB Management Expenses (e.g. travels) CHF

External methodological support CHFExternal Mandates (detailed list: only activities directly linked

tot he provision of Innovation Booster activities are eligible)CHF


Organisation of Events, Workshops, Activities CHFWorking-groups and Innovation-groups expenses CHF

Others (please comment below) CHFTraining, exchange and promotional activities organised by Innosuisse or on behalf of Innosuisse (obligatory & fixed amount)

CHF 15000

Subtotal CHF Ideas Funding:

Ideas Funded in Q1+2 CHF Ideas Funded in Q2+3 CHF

Subtotal CHF Total Expenses CHF

1) Personnel remuneration must be reported separately and in detail; the maximum rates must not be exceeded: See the Guide in Chapter 5.1.3. 2) A maximum hourly rate of CHF 200 (including all taxes and VAT) shall apply to external persons commissioned using the functional costs. If the applicant specifies higher rates, it must show that these are market rates and that commensurate value will be added.

Direct Leading House personnel costs Name First name Organisation Training/

academic degree

Position Number of hours (or FTE%)

CHF

Total staff costs:

Notes on the use of funds:(max. 3000 characters)

Estimated development of income and expenditure planning over the 4-year period for the years 2022-2025 (Guide Chapter 5.1.6):

Incomein CHF

1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4th year Total

Innosuisse

Activity funding (≤50%)

Idea funding (≥50%)

Subtotal Third-party (min. 10%)

Subtotal Total


Total grant amount applied for in CHF (if approved, this will be the cost ceiling for the 4 years)

Expenditurein CHF

1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4th year TotalPersonnel Expenses Functional Costs

Subntotal Idea Funding

Subtotal Total

Explanations (if budget items change significantly from the detailed budget for the first year of operation as stated above, the individual items should be listed and explained in detail):(max. 1500 characters)

Performance Targets (Guide Chapter 5.1.7)

Describe which specific performance targets you want to set yourself for the next 4 years (see Guide Chap-ter 5.1.7):

Performance targets defined by Innosuisse 1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4th yearNumber of funded ideas Number of abandoned ideas with gain in knowledge (as a basis for decision-making)

Number of ideas pursued further The satisfaction of the «NTN – Innovation Booster» participants

Contributions to further education, exchange and promotion activities (e.g. success stories, testimoni-als)

Performance targets proposed by Leading House (two) 1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4th year

Explanations/comments on the performance targets:(max. 1000 characters)

Third-party Fund Targets (Guide Chapter 5.1.8)

What mechanisms do you intend to use to secure the third-party funds listed in Chapter 4 F? What measures do you plan to take to achieve the third-party funding objectives?



G Ability to provide the required services (Guide Chapter 5.2) Max. 20 points Please describe:

Which partners and key persons the «NTN - Innovation Booster» can be relied upon to enjoy credibil-ity in the science community, the business world or with other implementation groups.

The organisational structure of the «NTN - Innovation Booster». How do you organise the allocation of funds for ideas funding?

Community of interests Partners (organisations) (Guide Chapter 5.2.1)

If an organisation that does not include all the participants in the community of interests acts as a leading house, it creates appropriate support structures/bodies to involve the other community of interests mem-bers. Are there any other community of interests partners outside the Leading House organisation? Who are these and how do you support the applicant in fulfilling the tasks?

No.

Partner Reference no. Letter of sup-port (see Appendix B)

1 Relation to the topic «NTN - Innovation Booster»/ support(max. 500 characters)

No.



No.



No.



No.




Key People Who are the key people (within the applicant’s organisation and potentially other community of interests

partners) directly involved in the implementation of the «NTN - Innovation Booster» and what are their roles? (Maximum 5 people)

No. First name, Name

Institution/Organisation Reference no. personnel details (see Appendix A)

1 Role in the «NTN - Innovation Booster»(max. 500 characters)Why important/valuable for the «NTN - Innovation Booster»?(max. 500 characters)














Organisational structure and processes of the «NTN - Innovation Booster» (Guide Chapter 5.2.2)

How do you organise yourself to implement the innovation booster? Which people (internal and external) and which bodies support you in fulfilling your mandate? What

roles and skills do they have? How do the individual people and bodies work together and how are decisions made? What mechanisms are planned to monitor the achievement of objectives, to ensure quality, to support

developments and if necessary, to propose and make corrections? (max. 3000 characters)


Allocation of resource for ideas funding (Guide, Chapter 5.2.3)

What is the process for awarding support contributions for ideas funding? How large are the support contributions you make? Describe your third-party funding.

How do you ensure that financial resources are allocated in an impartial, suitable, transparent and fair process?

How can interested parties apply for these funds? How and according to what criteria are the submitted ideas assessed? How are funding decisions made, and who makes them? How are potential conflicts in connection with the decisions resolved?(max. 3000 characters)


H Concrete efforts to ensure adequate representation and participation of both sexes (Guide Chapter 5.3) Max. 10 points

Please describe: How you will ensure the representation of both sexes in the proposed organisation. What concrete efforts you will make to ensure adequate representation and participation of both sexes in

the Innovation Booster Initiative.(max. 1500 characters)


6. Submission of the Application

Form and dateThe fully completed application must be sent by 26th March 2020 at the latest

- in electronic form with qualified electronic signature by e-mail to [email protected], subject "Ap-plication <NTN - Innovation Booster> - Name")

or

- in electronic form by e-mail and this page printed and signed (date of postmark), in duplicate, to the follow-ing address:InnosuisseTender «NTN - Innovation Booster»Department KTT & IPEinsteinstrasse 2CH-3003 Berne

Legal signature to confirm all the above information:

Place and Date:

Signature 1:(Leading-House)

Name, First Name, function 1:(Leading-House)

Place and date:

Signature 2:(Leading-House)

Name, First Name, function 2:(Leading-House)


Attachment A: Information on key persons (Guide Chapter 6.1)

Reference number of key person listed: (application for participation item 5 G, key persons)

Contact DetailsName:

First Name:

Salutation:

Name of the institution or company:

Street:

Homepage:

POSTCODE:

Location:

Canton/Country:

E-mail:

Phone G:

Mobile G/telephone P (optional):

Curriculum vitae☐ Curriculum vitae enclosed

ReferencesPlease indicate at least 2 references which may be contacted by Innosuisse.

Name:

First Name:

Salutation:


Street:

Homepage:

POSTCODE:

Location:

Canton/Country:

E-mail:

Phone G:


Name:

First Name:

Salutation:


Street:

Homepage:

POSTCODE:

Location:

Canton/Country:

E-mail:

Phone G:


Legal signature of the “key person”

Place and Date:

Signature:

Name & First Name:

For all other key persons please copy and paste the empty form.


Attachment B: Original declarations of support (Guide Chapter 6.2)

Reference number of attached letter of support: (See application for participation point 5 G, declara-tions of support)


Attachment C (Guide Chapter 6.3): Necessary documents containing the information to prove that the applicant organisation is not

profit-oriented.


Attachment D : Figures (Optional)

Please use this box to insert only relevant images and graphics that should be referenced in the text.