Submit an application

Is your SME developing new products and technologies that contribute to climate protection? If so, you can apply for financial support from the Swiss Climate Foundation here.

How it works

Your SME must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for funding:

The SME is based in Switzerland or Liechtenstein and has a maximum of 250 employees.
The SME is not a start-up in the initial establishment phase.
None or less than half of the company’s capital is in the hands of larger corporations or public sector organisations.
The project will be implemented mainly in Switzerland or Liechtenstein.
The project helps avoid greenhouse gas emissions.

The following projects are excluded until further notice:

Projects using hydrogen technologies.
Projects that serve to increase the efficiency of internal combustion engines or developing electric cars and lorries.
Projects that serve capacity building (learning about and raising awareness of climate protection issues); this includes carbon offsetting schemes.

Funding policy

The Swiss Climate Foundation will contribute a maximum of CHF 200 000 and a maximum of 50% of the total cost. The expected subsidy is compared with the calculated CO2 savings, among other things. It is therefore advised to apply for the lowest possible amount. Further financing options can be found under Energiefranken (in German).

Download

Submit an application

for an innovation project

We welcome your commitment to the climate! To submit your application you will first need to create a user account on our application portal, where you will be guided through each step of the application process. You can also manage your applications on the application portal and submit your documents if a grant is awarded.

Making an application

You can submit your application in English, French or German. The deadlines for submission are 1st March and 1st September.

Personal contact

One of our advisors will contact you in order to get a detailed understanding of your project.

Funding decision

The Board of Trustees of the Swiss Climate Foundation makes its decisions about applications in the spring and in the autumn.

Drawing up a funding agreement

If your application is accepted, the Swiss Climate Foundation will draw up a customised funding agreement with you.

Proof of implementation / Payment

The funding amount will be paid out in accordance with the jointly defined milestones.

Questions & answers

for SMEs

How does the Swiss Climate Foundation differ from other funding programs?

The Swiss Climate Foundation is a joint initiative of various service companies for the economy. It is a voluntary initiative from business for business. In contrast, programs like the building program (in German) or the technology fund are government projects.

The Swiss Climate Foundation supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It has no obligations to the government and can therefore support innovation projects quickly and without bureaucracy. In contrast, the Klik Foundation only supports projects recognized by the government.

The Swiss Climate Foundation does not target individuals, as initiatives like the MyClimate Foundation or the myblueplanet movement do. It supports projects in the business sector with funds from its partners in business.

Where does the Swiss Climate Foundation get its funding from?

Various service companies voluntarily donate money to the Swiss Climate Foundation. The amount each company donates depends on the CO₂ tax collected by the Swiss government since 2008. Companies pay a tax per ton of CO₂ they emit.

This money is not kept by the government, but is partly invested in climate protection programs such as the building program or the technology fund, and partly refunded to companies. The redistribution is based on their total payroll.

Service companies especially benefit from this redistribution, as they consume little heating oil and gas. Therefore, they receive more back than they paid.

Who can apply for funding from the Swiss Climate Foundation?

The Foundation supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that develop climate-friendly products. To qualify for funding, a project must primarily be implemented in Switzerland or Liechtenstein.

Does an SME have to repay the funding?

Depending on the funding agreement, the foundation provides non-repayable grants or interest-free risk loans, which must be repaid upon achieving defined success milestones. The related conditions are outlined in the grant agreement.

Can an SME apply for funding if it is already supported by other organizations?

Yes. Support from other organizations is not an exclusion criterion for receiving funding from the Swiss Climate Foundation.

When can an SME submit an application?

The submission deadlines for innovation projects are March 1st and September 1st. The application must be submitted before the project is implemented and before the investments concerned by the grant are triggered.

When will an SME receive a response to its application?

SMEs applying for support for innovation projects will receive a response in June (for applications submitted by March 1st) or in November (for applications submitted by September 1st).

Who decides on the applications from SMEs?

The Foundation Board decides on the funding applications from SMEs.

Submit an application

How it works

Funding policy

Download

Submit an application

for an innovation project

Making an application

Personal contact

Funding decision

Drawing up a funding agreement

Proof of implementation / Payment

Questions & answers

for SMEs

Swiss Climate Foundation P.O. Box Mythenquai 50/60 8002 Zurich

User access

OR

Swiss Climate Foundation
P.O. Box
Mythenquai 50/60
8002 Zurich