The Werner Siemens Foundation supports outstanding, innovative projects in the natural sciences and technology (STEM), including related fields such as medicine and medical technology. The focus is on research that addresses the most pressing problems and challenges of our time. Projects must meet the highest scientific standards, push technological boundaries, and be innovative, risk-adverse, even a little “crazy” in their aims. As a rule, it is these kinds of novel approaches, unexpected combinations, and bold ideas that generate true scientific breakthroughs.

The Foundation primarily supports projects in the early stages of implementation—after the scientific foundations have been established, but when there is still considerable technological uncertainty surrounding the delivery of a robust proof of concept. At this level of technological readiness (typically TRL 3 to 5), the Foundation finances aspects such as the development of functional prototypes, robust proofs of concept, and solid concepts. These developments form the basis for subsequent independent refinement by the project team or for industrial application.

In general, universities and research institutions in Germany, Austria and Switzerland are eligible to apply. Projects must be institutionally anchored as well as scientifically and methodologically well grounded.

• Basic research projects of a purely exploratory nature, with no clear pathway to a proof of concept (typically TRL 1 to 2)

• Projects at an advanced technological readiness level that are predominantly market- or product-driven (typically TRL > 6)

• Clinical trials

• Activities in the arts and culture (e.g. music, theatre, dance, film, visual arts, cultural heritage), sports and leisure

• Political campaigns or party-political activities

• Projects in social services or disaster relief

• Projects run by other foundations (co-financing) or purely supplementary co-funding of projects

• Individual grants, study costs, funding for individuals, and doctoral theses as stand-alone projects

• Qualification and funding programmes for early-career researchers, the translation of research findings into practical application, and the development of effective transfer and service structures
• Open-ended projects (e.g. funding for ongoing operating costs or recurring core funding)

• Projects with a commercial focus (e.g. venture capital, private equity)

• The financing of general infrastructure costs (e.g. buildings, technical equipment or operational instruments) without a clearly defined project aim

• Short-term projects (duration < 5 years) and small-budget projects (costs < 3 million)

If your project fulfils the funding criteria of the Werner Siemens Foundation, you are invited to submit a proposal to info@wernersiemens-stiftung.ch.

The selection process is as follows:

1. The project must fulfil the funding criteria
2. Two-to-six-page project application containing an executive summary and the requested amount of funding, including information on payment installments 
3. Send project proposal as a PDF per email
4. The Scientific Advisory Board makes a preliminary assessment
5. Additional information is requested, if required
6. The Foundation Board and the Siemens Family Advisory Board evaluate all proposals
7. Decision
8. Contract

The selection process takes six months.