precoR – Initiative to fund precompetitive research
For 2013/2014, the Mathematics, Natural and Engineering Sciences division of the SNSF is allocating CHF 2 million to realise a thematically limited pilot call to fund precompetitive research. precoR supports basic research projects with a focus on future commercial application that are not yet sufficiently advanced to be strategically (co)managed by industry partners.
The transition of a target-oriented project from basic, "non-predictive" research to a stage that allows predictive engineering approaches is challenging. The goal of the precoR initiative (funding of precompetitive research) is to support the basic scientific research of a project to the point where a commercial application becomes viable.
A clear vision of a product or
application
Projects need to have a clear vision of an original and novel product or application. In addition, they are typically characterised by a strong effort to create a network of partners who are interested in the further development of a product, potentially even resulting in the foundation of a start-up company. Innovative solutions as well as high-quality scientific publications are expected to emerge from the projects. Hence, the initiative promotes a merger of the cultures of basic scientific research and application-driven engineering.
As a pilot programme, the precoR initiative 2013 is limited to proposals in
Materials Science or Fabrication Technology. Proposals can be submitted between
11 November 2013 and 17 March 2014.