Prototype Fund Switzerland 2026

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping industries, governments, education, healthcare, and society as a whole. While AI presents enormous opportunities for innovation, it also raises important questions about sustainability, transparency, accountability, ethics, and public benefit. To encourage technology that serves society responsibly, the Prototype Fund Switzerland has officially opened applications for its 2026–2027 funding round, inviting innovators, developers, researchers, and interdisciplinary teams to build practical AI solutions that address real-world societal challenges.

Since launching in 2020, the Prototype Fund Switzerland has supported groundbreaking public-interest technology initiatives that use open-source software, data, and digital innovation to strengthen the common good. The latest edition expands this mission by focusing specifically on Responsible and Sustainable AI, supporting projects that make artificial intelligence more transparent, trustworthy, environmentally responsible, and socially beneficial.

Successful applicants can receive up to CHF 50,000 in funding, along with four months of structured prototyping support, expert coaching, mentoring, workshops, and access to an extensive network spanning technology, policymaking, academia, and civil society.

Applications are open until 7 September 2026.

About Prototype Fund Switzerland

Prototype Fund Switzerland is a funding programme initiated and led by Opendata.ch and supported by the Mercator Foundation Switzerland.

The programme exists to strengthen the public good through technology by supporting innovative projects that solve meaningful societal challenges.

Rather than simply funding technology development, the Prototype Fund invests in ideas that demonstrate how digital technologies—including artificial intelligence—can be designed responsibly while delivering measurable benefits for society.

Since its establishment, the programme has funded numerous early-stage projects that explore how technology can become more accessible, inclusive, transparent, and sustainable.

Why Responsible and Sustainable AI Matters

Artificial intelligence has moved beyond the experimental stage.

Today, AI is becoming deeply integrated into:

• Government services
• Healthcare systems
• Education
• Scientific research
• Environmental monitoring
• Financial services
• Public administration
• Civic engagement
• Business operations

As AI adoption accelerates globally, ensuring that these systems remain transparent, fair, accountable, and sustainable has become increasingly important.

Prototype Fund Switzerland believes that responsibility should not be treated as an afterthought once AI systems are already deployed.

Instead, responsible design should be integrated into technology from the very beginning.

This funding programme aims to demonstrate that AI can create public value while remaining ethical, environmentally conscious, and beneficial for society.

Theme for the 2026–2027 Funding Round

The 2026–2027 edition focuses on:

Responsible and Sustainable AI

The programme seeks projects that create practical solutions capable of making AI systems:

• More transparent
• More accountable
• More trustworthy
• More resilient
• More environmentally sustainable
• More beneficial to society

Rather than supporting technology simply because it is innovative, the programme prioritizes technology that addresses genuine societal needs.

What Is Public Interest AI?

The programme promotes the concept of Public Interest AI, referring to artificial intelligence and digital technologies developed specifically to improve society.

Projects should deliver benefits that extend beyond commercial interests and contribute to the public good.

Examples include technologies addressing:

• Climate change
• Environmental sustainability
• Civic participation
• Democratic engagement
• Digital literacy
• Education
• Healthcare
• Accessibility
• Social inclusion
• Open knowledge
• Open data
• Community empowerment

The Prototype Fund emphasizes that technological innovation should always contribute toward creating a more equitable and just society.

Areas of Interest

The programme welcomes projects in a wide variety of fields.

Potential focus areas include:

Sustainability and Climate

Projects that:

• Reduce environmental impact
• Improve climate resilience
• Optimize resource management
• Promote sustainable digital practices

Civic Participation

Solutions that strengthen democracy through:

• Citizen engagement
• Digital participation
• Civic AI
• Public consultation tools

Education and Digital Literacy

Projects designed to improve:

• AI literacy
• Digital skills
• Educational accessibility
• Responsible technology education

Health and Inclusion

Innovations that enhance:

• Healthcare delivery
• Accessibility
• Inclusive digital services
• Health equity

Open Knowledge and Data

Projects encouraging:

• Open research
• Data accessibility
• Public information sharing
• Knowledge dissemination

Types of Projects Being Sought

The Prototype Fund Switzerland is particularly interested in projects that:

• Reduce energy consumption associated with AI
• Lower digital resource usage
• Minimize carbon emissions
• Strengthen AI governance
• Improve transparency
• Enhance accountability
• Increase digital sovereignty
• Build trustworthy AI systems
• Support sustainable digital infrastructure
• Develop governance and oversight tools
• Improve responsible AI deployment

Applicants are encouraged to think creatively while addressing practical societal problems.

How Prototype Fund Switzerland Works

Unlike traditional grant programmes that focus solely on final products, Prototype Fund Switzerland emphasizes experimentation.

Selected teams are encouraged to:

• Test ideas
• Learn through iteration
• Build functional prototypes
• Share findings openly
• Improve their concepts throughout development

The programme values both successful outcomes and lessons learned during experimentation.

Open Source Philosophy

Open source remains one of the programme’s central principles.

Although projects are not required to be completely open source, applicants are strongly encouraged to:

• Publish software code where feasible
• Share datasets
• Release reusable components
• Document methodologies
• Publish lessons learned
• Improve accessibility for future innovators

This approach increases:

• Transparency
• Collaboration
• Trust
• Reusability
• Long-term sustainability
• Broader societal impact

Who Should Apply?

Prototype Fund Switzerland welcomes applications from:

• Individual innovators
• Small interdisciplinary teams
• AI developers
• Software engineers
• Researchers
• Civic technologists
• Data scientists
• Machine learning practitioners
• Designers
• Entrepreneurs
• Open-source contributors

Applicants should have:

• A strong motivation to solve societal challenges
• An early-stage project concept
• Interest in AI and open-source technologies
• Willingness to collaborate
• Readiness to experiment and iterate
• Eligibility to work in Switzerland

Funding and Benefits

Selected projects receive comprehensive support throughout the programme.

Benefits include:

Up to CHF 50,000 in Funding

Teams receive financial support of up to CHF 50,000 to develop and test their prototype.

Four-Month Prototyping Programme

Participants receive four months dedicated to:

• Building prototypes
• Testing ideas
• Improving solutions
• Gathering user feedback

Professional Coaching

Participants receive expert guidance from experienced mentors across technology, policy, innovation, and public-interest sectors.

Workshops

The programme includes workshops covering:

• Product development
• Responsible AI
• Governance
• Innovation
• Project implementation

Access to a Strong Network

Participants become part of a network connecting:

• Technology experts
• Policymakers
• Researchers
• Civil society organizations
• Innovation leaders

Application Timeline

Applicants should carefully follow the official schedule.

Application Period

28 July – 7 September 2026

Jury Evaluation

August – September 2026 (Rolling evaluation)

Prototyping Phase

Mid-October 2026 – Mid-February 2027

During this period, selected teams will develop and test their prototypes.

Outputs and Programme Learning

November 2026 – July 2027

Participants will:

• Deliver functional prototypes
• Share interim learnings
• Publish final programme insights

Why Apply?

Prototype Fund Switzerland offers far more than funding.

Participants gain opportunities to:

• Transform innovative ideas into working AI solutions.
• Address pressing societal challenges.
• Learn from experienced mentors.
• Collaborate with experts across disciplines.
• Build responsible AI technologies.
• Join Switzerland’s growing public-interest technology ecosystem.
• Contribute to sustainable digital innovation.
• Expand professional networks.
• Increase the visibility of their projects.
• Help shape the future of ethical AI.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should prepare their project concept before submitting an application.

Applicants should ensure their proposal clearly demonstrates:

• The societal challenge being addressed.
• How AI will contribute to solving the problem.
• The project’s sustainability.
• Expected public benefit.
• Technical feasibility.
• Potential for collaboration.
• Commitment to openness and knowledge sharing.

Applications can be submitted through the official Prototype Fund Switzerland application portal before the closing date.

Application Deadline: 7 September 2026

APPLY NOW

For further information, applicants can also contact the programme team at info@prototypefund.ch.

Read about the selection criteria, our jury, the Prototype Fund team, and  FAQ online.

Conclusion

The Prototype Fund Switzerland 2026–2027 represents an outstanding opportunity for innovators who believe artificial intelligence should benefit society while remaining responsible, transparent, and environmentally sustainable. By combining substantial financial support of up to CHF 50,000 with mentorship, workshops, and access to an interdisciplinary network, the programme empowers individuals and small teams to transform promising ideas into functional prototypes that address real societal challenges. If you have an innovative AI concept designed to improve the public good and are eligible to work in Switzerland, this programme provides the ideal platform to develop your solution, collaborate with experts, and contribute to shaping a more responsible future for artificial intelligence.

Visit the OFY website for more Grant Opportunities.