Application process

1. Applicants must submit their applications via the submission platform by the specified deadlines. Prior consultation is possible; please contact sustainable@zhaw.ch.
2. Following the application deadline, ZHAW sustainable will conduct a formal pre-selection of the applications received.
3. The Sustainable Impact Program Board will evaluate the submissions according to the criteria listed below.
4. Applicants will be informed of the Board's decision by ZHAW sustainable. Funded projects will receive all administrative details regarding the funding.

If you have any further questions about the application process, please contact sustainable@zhaw.ch.

Evaluation criteria

• Impact for sustainable development

  The project makes an effective contribution to sustainable development. The following dimensions are considered in conjunction with one another: social, ecological and economic. It should have a clear link to one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition, the project is clearly anchored in the ZHAW environment – either through implementation on campus or in the region, or through a proven strong connection to ZHAW. As long as the impact is achieved locally and no air travel is required, the project may also have an international character.

• Project management and interdisciplinarity

  The project has a clear structure, an adequate schedule (compatible with everyday student life and the remaining duration of studies) and a realistic budget. In addition, potential risks are duly considered and mitigated. The project also benefits from the collaboration of various relevant disciplines, departments or practitioners at different stages of project development. If you have a project in mind that requires long-term maintenance, this must be taken into account.

• Visibility and dissemination

  The project is embedded in a clear communication plan that outlines how progress, lessons learned and results will be shared with relevant stakeholders at the right time to ensure engagement, visibility and broad impact.

Recommendations

The following points are not mandatory, but are an advantage for the evaluation process:

• An interdisciplinary project team

  An interdisciplinary approach is required. This means that your project idea should be examined from different perspectives. It is also advisable (but not essential) to have an interdisciplinary project management team. If you do not want to lead the project alone but would prefer to co-lead it, diversity in the management team is advantageous. We are happy to help with finding and connecting interested people from other disciplines. However, there must always be one person who is primarily responsible for the project (i.e. the person submitting the application), and this person must be enrolled at the ZHAW until the end of the project.

• Long-term perspective

  Consider how your project can have an impact beyond its immediate duration – for example, through continuation, scaling or further development of the results and its maintenance, e.g. in the case of an app.

• Connection to the ZHAW community

  Projects that are integrated into existing initiatives or are visibly anchored in the university community can have a broader impact (e.g. Sustainability Week Zurich).

• Reflection on the social dimension of sustainability

  Proactively highlighting how your project contributes to the social dimension of sustainability (which is often overlooked) will strengthen your application. The social, environmental and economic dimensions are always closely interlinked. Regardless of your focus, considerations and explanations of how your project idea will have a positive impact on social developments – or how it could be further developed to achieve a socially sustainable impact – are always welcome. We are also happy to offer advice, please do not hesitate to contact ZHAW sustainable.

• Inclusive communication

  Please ensure that your communication measures use accessible, inclusive language that is appropriate for the target group. Guidelines and tips can be found here (in German). 

 

Submit your project

Student Project Fund