Opening 19.06.2025 | Closing 15.11.2025

As industrial companies become more digitized, they become vulnerable to new threats. These include compromising machine operation, disrupting production lines, industrial espionage, and data exfiltration.

The aim of this call for projects is to stimulate collaborative innovation and propose solutionsthat address today's digital security challenges in industrial environments., whether in terms of protecting control systems (ICS), securing operational technologies (OT) or the Zero Trust approach. It is being carried out in collaboration with the Groupement suisse de l’Industrie des Machines (GIM) (Swiss Machinery Industry Group).

It aims to explore new ideas, study and develop disruptive concepts and innovative technical solutions to enhance the cybersecurity and resilience of industrial systems.

University researchers, industry and technology players, and experts in digitalization and cybersecurity are invited to collaborate to strengthen industry's capacity for innovation and resilience in the face of new cyber threats, thereby helping to safeguard its survival, sustainability, and competitiveness.

Check your project fit

Project duration

6 to 12 months (with flexibility)

Conditions

[ Project led by a university staff member (EPFL, HEIG-VD, UNIL)

[ Collaboration between (at least) 2 universities and 1 implementation partner (companies, non-profit organizations, public administration departments, other) located in the canton of Vaud

[ Direct outputs/benefits to local economy and society

[ Valuable and (at least partially) disclosable results

Got an idea in mind? Activate your Booster

Setup Booster CHF 5,000

Formalize your idea in the form of a pre-project consisting of a 1-pager and a 3-5 minute video.

If the Selection Committee approves your pre-project, you will receive a lump-sum grant of CHF 5,000 to hire your partners and set up the project.

Your efforts will be rewarded, whatever the outcome.

Contact us as soon as possible to request your Booster.

Follow our timetable

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which laboratories, institutes and research groups can submit or participate in a [seal] project?

The [seal] program is open to members of the EPFL - UNIL - HEIG-VD consortium. Each laboratory, institute and research group of these 3 institutions can participate in the projects. This means that the program is not restricted to specialists in digital trust and cybersecurity, but applies to every field that requires these skills.

Within an academic institution, who can be a project leader [seal]?

All employees of the 3 academic institutions (EPFL, UNIL, HEIG-VD) can submit a project and be the project leader, subject to compliance with their internal rules and practices. The program is therefore not restricted to professors. Scientific collaborators, research fellows and assistants, postdocs and PhD students are also eligible.

What does it mean to be a project leader?

The project leader is the project sponsor for the [seal] program. He/she assumes the role of general coordinator, financial intermediary and communication agent. This does not mean, however, that he/she has to be the main contributor to the project.

What kind of human resources can academic partners bring to a project?

All functions (professors, postdocs, PhD students, assistants, etc.) can be valued at their respective rates, if their contribution to the project proves relevant. It is also possible to make a contribution through supervised student work (Master's thesis, for example).

What additional sources of funding can academic partners tap into?

Other sources of funding are welcome (academic structural funds, national funds, foundations, industrial contributions). They must be announced transparently.

How can [seal] funding complement a longer-term (basic) research program?

Seal] funding can be envisaged as a one-off complement to a research project, enabling the application of intermediate results(Proof of Concept, prototype, pilot, Poof of Value). In this context, it can be used to cover part of the salary of a doctoral student or staff hired specifically for this purpose.

At what rate are working hours valued?

Academic partners apply their Innosuisse hourly rates. The hourly rate for
implementation partners (companies, non-profit organizations, public administration departments) does not exceed CHF 150.

What is the role of an implementation partner?

In principle, the implementation partner(s) plays a very active role in the design and development of the project, and accounts for a substantial share of the costs. However, it is possible to give them a more consultative role (strategic orientation and choices, feedback from the field, economic positioning, user testing).

Can [seal] funding also cover the costs of implementation partners?

Yes, the personnel and material costs of implementation partners (companies, non-profit organizations, public administration departments) can be financed up to a maximum of 70%. The costs of academic partners can be covered up to 100% by [seal].

Do implementation partners (companies) have to make a cash contribution?

No, implementation partners can limit their in-kind contribution (human and material resources) to a minimum of 30% of the costs attributable to them.

What is the minimum contribution of implementation partners (companies)?

No minimum contribution is defined. Funding [seal] is limited to 90% of project costs, but the remaining 10% may come from sources other than the implementation partners (companies).

Submit your project

The submission must be made by an employee of an academic partner (EPFL, HEIG-VD, UNIL) according to our regulations.

2024 - [seal]
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