ETH4D Research to Action Grants: Bridging Research and Real-World Impact

ETH4D Research to Action Grants: Bridging Research and Real-World Impact

The ETH4D Research to Action Grant is a funding initiative designed to translate academic research into practical applications, ensuring that valuable findings are effectively implemented, shared, and utilized. Offered by ETH Zurich, this grant supports students, researchers, and faculty members in developing prototypes, exploring entrepreneurial opportunities, and engaging with practitioners to maximize the impact of their work.

Purpose and Scope

The primary goal of the ETH4D Research to Action Grant is to bridge the gap between research and real-world practice. It provides financial support for projects that demonstrate a tangible development-related impact. The grant encourages collaborations between academic and non-academic partners, fostering innovation and practical implementation.

Grant Amount and Application Deadline

Students and postdoctoral researchers can receive up to 5,000 CHF.
Professors and senior scientists are eligible for funding up to 20,000 CHF.
The next application deadline is 30 March 2025.

Eligibility Criteria

Who Can Apply?

The grant is open to a wide range of applicants affiliated with ETH Zurich, including:

Bachelor’s and Master’s students
Doctoral candidates
Postdoctoral researchers
Senior scientists
Professors

Note: Students must be actively enrolled at ETH Zurich during the execution of their project.

Project Requirements

To qualify for funding, a project must:

Be institutionally linked to ETH Zurich – either through past research, coursework, or ETH-led initiatives.
Demonstrate a clear developmental impact by applying research findings to real-world challenges.
Include a collaboration with a non-academic partner in the project's country of focus, with a supporting letter from that organization.
Align with transboundary research partnerships, as per the KPFE Guide for Transboundary Research Partnerships.
Target countries classified as ‘Least Developed, Low-, and Lower-Middle-Income’ as per the OECD DAC list. If a project focuses outside of these regions, a strong justification is required.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit a single PDF document containing:

Project description and objectives (using the provided template)
Work plan and timeline (in the form of a Gantt chart)
Letter of support from a non-academic collaborator in the project’s focus country
Detailed budget plan (template provided)
Financial confirmation letter from an ETH professor or unit
CV (max. 2 pages) including a list of relevant publications
Reference letter from an ETH faculty member (not required for professors applying)

All application documents must be uploaded through the official electronic application form before the deadline. Application deadline is 30 March 2025.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Scholarship at Uniplus Global to apply