2026 UniBE Venture Fellowship – University of Bern, Switzerland

Location: Switzerland

Program: Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fellowship for Early-Career Researchers

Eligibility: International Students

Duration: Typically 12 months

Deadline: December 2026

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The UniBE Venture Fellowship is offered by the Innovation Office of the Vice-Rectorate Research and Innovation at the University of Bern to support early-career researchers in translating their scientific findings into innovative products and services. The fellowship provides a maximum funding budget of CHF 100,000 per application for a project aimed at establishing a proof-of-concept for an innovative product or service and laying the entrepreneurial groundwork for successful implementation in society and the economy. Employment is based in principle on 80% and the fellowship typically lasts 12 months, though it may be shortened if necessary. Applications with a focus on basic research will not be considered, and at the time of application the spin-off company must not yet be established, though exceptions may be considered if the project is still at an early stage.

The University of Bern is one of Switzerland’s leading research universities, founded in 1834 and located in the Swiss capital city of Bern. The UniBE Venture Fellowship reflects the university’s commitment to strengthening the promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship across all disciplines, including at the Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, and the University Psychiatric Services. The fellowship supports the transfer of innovative research and teaching into society and the economy through the development of new products and services, and provides fellows with not only financial support but also access to entrepreneurship training and intellectual property protection resources. Rejected proposals may be resubmitted provided that the application has been substantially revised.

Benefits of the Fellowship

This fellowship will provide the following to its recipients:

Maximum of CHF 100,000 per application
Salary costs including social security contributions of the employer
Material costs directly related to the implementation of the project
Costs for project-related travel and networking events
Expenses for recommended entrepreneurship training
Costs for the protection of intellectual property
Other benefits

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Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for this fellowship, applicants must meet the following:

Must hold a Master’s, PhD or medical degree, or be a student enrolled in one of these programs and within six months of completing the degree
Must be affiliated with the University of Bern, the Inselspital or the University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Must have a research group leader from the University of Bern, Inselspital or UPD who confirms their support and access to the necessary infrastructure
The project must be focused on establishing a proof-of-concept for an innovative product or service. Applications with a focus on basic research will not be considered
At the time of application, the spin-off company must not yet be established. Exceptions may be considered if the project is still at an early stage
Applicants currently employed at the University of Bern, Inselspital or UPD must end their current employment contract before the start of the Venture Fellowship
The application must include a detailed project description covering the problem, the innovative aspect of the solution and the business model, a project plan, information on intellectual property and patentability, and a budget

Note: Kindly check the official webpage for full and detailed requirements.

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Selection Criteria

Applications that meet the formal criteria are assessed and evaluated by the UniBE Venture Fellowship jury across four criteria: innovation potential, feasibility of the project, implementation plan, and entrepreneurial potential of the applicant. The process involves two rounds of jury deliberations, with the first round based on application documents only and the second round involving a presentation by the candidate. The Innovation Office reviews all applications submitted on time and in the correct format to confirm they meet the formal criteria before forwarding them to the jury.