Prototype Fund Switzerland 2026–2027: Up to CHF 50,000 Grant for Responsible and Sustainable AI Projects
The Prototype Fund Switzerland provides up to CHF 50,000 in funding and four months of structured support for early-stage public-interest AI projects. Applications for the 2026–2027 funding round are open until 7 September 2026.
Overview
Prototype Fund Switzerland is a funding programme initiated and led by Opendata.ch and supported by the Mercator Foundation Switzerland. The 2026–2027 funding round focuses specifically on Responsible and Sustainable AI, inviting innovators to build practical technology solutions that address real-world societal challenges and strengthen the common good.
Eligibility
- Open to individual innovators, small interdisciplinary teams, AI developers, software engineers, researchers, civic technologists, data scientists, machine learning practitioners, designers, entrepreneurs, and open-source contributors.
- Applicants must have a strong motivation to solve societal challenges, an early-stage project concept, and an interest in AI and open-source technologies.
- Must be eligible to work in Switzerland.
Benefits
- Up to CHF 50,000 in funding to develop and test prototypes.
- A four-month structured prototyping programme running from mid-October 2026 to mid-February 2027.
- Expert coaching, mentoring, and workshops covering product development, responsible AI, governance, and innovation.
- Access to an extensive network spanning technology, policymaking, academia, and civil society.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should prepare their project concept and submit proposals through the official application portal. Submissions must clearly demonstrate the societal challenge being addressed, the role of AI, sustainability, public benefit, technical feasibility, and a commitment to openness.
Deadline
Applications are open until 7 September 2026.