Student Project Fund
Receive funding for your innovative sustainability project!
CHF 10’000 for your impactful project at the ZHAW or in the surrounding region.
- Your project can take many forms and you have the flexibility to combine it with your academic work, e.g. with seminar papers, Bachelor’s or Master’s theses.
- The project budget can include hourly costs (according to the ZHAW cost rates) and material costs.
Requirements
- The project leader must be enrolled at the ZHAW until the end of the project.
- Your project promotes sustainable development in one or more of the three dimensions - environment, society or economy - and relates to one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Your project will take place on the ZHAW campus or in the region.
- Your project is not purely start-up financing (projects within or in collaboration with start-ups are possible). For start-ups, you can benefit from other offers, such as the Impact Entrepreneurship.
- Find out more about the evaluation process and the criteria.
2025 Deadlines
- 16 March 2025
- 06 July 2025
- 05 October 2025
Do you have any questions? Ilja can help you!
Past projects
FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What happens if my project is selected? | Then comes the exciting part! After you have received an email from ZHAW sustainable with practical information, you can start your project and secure funding according to your project plan. |
| What is included in the financing? | The grant covers all project costs, from the pen for the project plan to the train you take to an important meeting. All we ask is that you are transparent and responsible and keep us informed about the progress of your project. Without exception, flight costs will not be covered. |
| How are the funds disbursed? | For your project, you can either have the invoices addressed to the ZHAW (processing in 1-2 weeks) or send a form for "individual compensation" (processing in 1-2 months). The direct payment of working hours is only possible for people with a permanent residence permit in Switzerland. |
| What is considered a sustainability issue? | Sustainability has a broad spectrum: we accept submissions for all environmental, social and economic projects - and any combination in between. We like to be surprised! |
| Can I resubmit my project after it has been rejected? | Yes, you can reapply. However, make sure that you have taken into account the feedback you received with your first application. |
| Can I submit several projects? | Yes - As long as the projects you submit are different from each other, you can submit as many applications as you have ideas for! |
| How do you decide which projects you want to support? | With the support of a broad-based Evaluation Board, we pursue a balanced evaluation process based on a series of transparent criteria. |
| I am studying and need help with my application. Is that possible? | If you need help with the application, coaching to refine your ideas or anything else related to the fund, please contact sustainable@zhaw.ch and we will be happy to support you! |
| I’m not sure I understand the difference between a project and a startup. | A start-up is a broad-based entrepreneurial venture characterised by an ongoing, evolving process with no defined end point and flexible outcomes. In contrast, a project is a focused initiative with a specific timeline, a clear beginning and end and clearly defined outcomes. Usually, a startup comprises several projects that contribute to its success and goals. Consequently, your startup can benefit from Impact Entrepreneurship, but (also) individual projects (such as pilot initiatives) can be submitted to the Student Project Fund. |
