Funding for new initiatives

The UZH Innovation Hub launches the new DRIVE program to support innovation initiatives that «Drive Research-based InnoVation Ecosystems» at UZH. The goal of the DRIVE program is to establish powerful cross-disciplinary communities and networks of researchers, inventors and entrepreneurs with strong links to industry, and a keen interest in commercialization and technology transfer.

DRIVE helps to build an impactful innovation ecosystem across the university that leverages both the diversity of disciplines and creative minds to drive forward research-based innovations for society.

Two funding stages

The DRIVE program is designed as a pipeline, supporting innovation initiatives at different stages of maturity – from early piloting and prototyping to long-term initiatives with a lasting impact.

There are two funding stages to support your innovation initiative. If you are unsure which stage is right for your endeavor please get in touch with the Innovation Hub Office.

DRIVE \| Action Kick-off innovation initiatives ► Apply anytime	DRIVE \| Transfer Launch innovation initiatives ► Next call opens in Fall 2026
Supports researchers, early career researchers, and staff to kick-off early-stage innovation initiatives focused on piloting, prototyting and exploration. Initiatives that actively strengthen the innovation and entrepreneurship know-how among researchers, students, and staff; promote an entrepreneurial mindset; create opportunities for peer-learning, matchmaking and mentoring. More details	Supports researchers, early career researchers, and staff to launch mature innovation initiatives that aim to establish strategic, long-term structures and activities generating lasting impact. The focus is on building active interdisciplinary communities and networks; fostering collaboration between academia and industry, public sector, foundations, startups and players from the innovation ecosystem; transfering research into novel solutions or improvements in products and processes. More details

DRIVE | Action
Kick-off innovation initiatives

► Apply anytime

DRIVE | Transfer
Launch innovation initiatives

► Next call opens in Fall 2026

Supports researchers, early career researchers, and staff to kick-off early-stage innovation initiatives focused on piloting, prototyting and exploration. Initiatives that

actively strengthen the innovation and entrepreneurship know-how among researchers, students, and staff;
promote an entrepreneurial mindset;
create opportunities for peer-learning, matchmaking and mentoring.

More details

Supports researchers, early career researchers, and staff to launch mature innovation initiatives that aim to establish strategic, long-term structures and activities generating lasting impact. The focus is on

building active interdisciplinary communities and networks;
fostering collaboration between academia and industry, public sector, foundations, startups and players from the innovation ecosystem;
transfering research into novel solutions or improvements in products and processes.

More details

Support from the Innovation Hub Office

Applicants can reach out to the Innovation Hub Office for advice on their proposals before submission. Initiatives supported will be promoted for visibility on the Hub website and its communication channels (applicants are asked to provide respective material).

info@innovation.uzh.ch