Researcher–Sciencepreneur Collaboration Grant 2026

The Researcher–Sciencepreneur Collaboration Grant (RSCG) 2026 funds joint innovation projects pairing researchers with science-based entrepreneurs across Switzerland and sub-Saharan Africa.

What it offers

• Grants of CHF 5,000–20,000 per project to support activities over up to 12 months.
• Funding covers eligible costs as defined in the standard grant agreement available on the application platform.

Who can apply

• Projects must include at least one Swiss partner (researcher or sciencepreneur affiliated with a Swiss higher-education institution, or a sciencepreneur whose company was founded within the last 3 years) and at least one African partner (researcher or science-based entrepreneur).
• All sub-Saharan African countries are eligible except the Maghreb region and Egypt.
• The Swiss partner acts as the lead applicant and is responsible for financial management and reporting.

What you'll do

• Develop an innovation collaboration that builds a credible path to impact for the venture.
• Activities may include co-creation workshops, immersion stays, prototyping, field validation, market discovery, or proof-of-concept work.
• Existing research partnerships moving into innovation are welcome, as are previous AIT programme participants and LH Africa research grant recipients.

How to apply

• Applications are submitted by the Swiss lead applicant via f6s.com.
• African co-applicants join the same application on the platform.
• Required materials include a venture description, project outline, short pitch deck, and a 2-minute video introducing the collaboration.
• Apply via: https://www.f6s.com/rscg-2026

Good to know

• The call opens in May 2026 and the deadline is 31 August 2026, midnight CET.
• Eligibility screening occurs the week of 7 September 2026.
• A jury of Swiss and African experts reviews applications from 8–19 September 2026.
• Decisions are communicated at the end of September 2026.
• Grant agreements are signed in mid-October 2026, and projects start by the end of October 2026.
• A final report and second payment are due 12 months after project start.