Novartis will shortly introduce ³FreeNovation² a new and unique funding program in Switzerland. This program is designed to encourage researchers in pursuing unconventional ideas, and to further enhance the attractiveness of Switzerland as a center for research.
³FreeNovation² will provide funding opportunities for innovative, substantial-risk projects that would typically have difficulty getting funding. Projects should be relevant to biomedical research with the ultimate aim of providing an innovative healthcare solution for patients. In the first call proposals addressing Glycobiology, Microbiome, and Digital Health will be accepted.
An international review committee chaired by Prof. Gerd Folkers, ETH, with six external and three Novartis experts will evaluate the applications. The selection will be based on the originality of the proposal and the potential to open up novel research directions, aiming beyond incremental innovation and discovery. Preliminary results are not required, and the academic status of the applicants will not be considered for the evaluation.
Up to 15 projects will be supported with maximally 180,000 CHF for 18 months. Researchers with or without an established track record are invited to submit proposals. They must have a completed doctoral degree or equivalent qualification and be based at a Swiss University or University of Applied Science.
Submissions will be accepted from mid-March until April 30, 2016.
Further information about ³FreeNovation², including a flyer with links to the application portal and guidelines will follow.