Request for Proposals: Daylight Research Grant Program

Deadline: 13-Apr-2026

The Velux Stiftung Daylight Research Grant Program funds innovative and interdisciplinary research exploring the societal, environmental, and health potential of natural daylight. Grants support projects under three themes—Future Solar Societies, Daylight and Global Health, and Daylight and Urbanisation—with budgets of CHF 50,000–100,000 per year for one to four years. Applications are assessed for innovation, interdisciplinarity, and real-world impact, with a deadline of 13 April 2026.

About the Grant Program

The Velux Stiftung Daylight Research Grant Program aims to advance research that positions natural daylight as a driver of systemic change. The program focuses on the societal, environmental, and health benefits of daylight and encourages interdisciplinary approaches connecting architecture, energy, health, ecology, and urban planning.

Funding Themes

Future Solar Societies
Supports research integrating daylight into energy, food, health, and ecosystem systems, exploring living and nature-based solutions and innovative applications beyond conventional solar technologies.

Daylight and Global Health
Encourages research on daylight as a shared resource affecting human, animal, and ecosystem health, emphasizing real-world sustainability and the interplay of biological, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

Daylight and Urbanisation
Focuses on urban density solutions that maintain access to natural daylight, balancing physiological needs with cultural and geographic context considerations to inform urban planning and design strategies.

Types of Projects

Seed Projects

• Feasibility studies or proof-of-concept research

• High-risk, innovative, or unconventional ideas

• Intended to test novel concepts without requiring prior funding

Full Research Projects

• Larger-scale, in-depth interdisciplinary studies

• Aim to deliver breakthroughs and systemic impact

• Prior seed funding is not required

Project Duration and Budget

• Research projects should last 1–4 years

• Expected budget: CHF 50,000–100,000 per year

• Requests above the maximum require prior approval

• Overhead or indirect organisational costs are not supported

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible projects must:

• Align clearly with one of the foundation’s strategic funding areas

• Be strongly impact-oriented with innovative, high-change potential

• Include a convincing plan to translate results into real-world change

• Have a principal investigator who is a permanent employee with legal authority to represent a recognised institution, typically an academic organisation

• Include up to three co-principal investigators if essential, with clearly defined budget shares

• Support interdisciplinary or international collaborations, with a single main funding area identified

Ineligible applications include those that:

• Do not align with strategic funding areas

• Duplicate projects already eligible for other major funding sources

• Fail to follow required application formats

• Lack clear knowledge-transfer plans

• Offer only incremental research advances

• Resubmit previously rejected ideas

• Originate from countries restricted under Swiss or international sanctions

How to Apply

1. Confirm project alignment with strategic funding themes

2. Prepare a detailed proposal including objectives, methodology, interdisciplinary approach, expected impact, and knowledge-transfer plan

3. Identify the principal investigator, co-principal investigators, and collaborators with clearly defined roles

4. Submit the application before 13 April 2026

5. Await assessment through the multi-stage selection process, with preselection heavily weighted on innovation and impact

Selection Process

• Multi-stage assessment prioritizes innovation, interdisciplinarity, and potential societal impact

• Abstracts and impact sections carry particular weight during preselection

• Final funding decisions are expected November 2026

Common Tips for Applicants

• Clearly articulate how the research will translate into real-world outcomes

• Emphasize interdisciplinary and international collaboration where relevant

• Focus on high-change, innovative ideas rather than incremental advancements

• Ensure all participants’ roles and responsibilities are clearly defined

• Verify that your project aligns exclusively with the strategic funding areas

FAQ

1. What is the expected budget per project? CHF 50,000–100,000 per year, with prior approval required for higher amounts.
2. How long can projects last? 1–4 years.
3. Who can be a principal investigator? Must be a permanent employee with legal authority to represent a recognised institution, usually an academic organisation.
4. Can international collaborators participate? Yes, interdisciplinary and international partnerships are encouraged.
5. Are overhead costs covered? No, indirect organisational costs are not supported.
6. What types of projects are ineligible? Projects outside strategic funding areas, duplicating other funding sources, lacking knowledge-transfer plans, offering only incremental advances, or from restricted countries.
7. When are applications due and when are decisions announced? Applications are due 13 April 2026, with final decisions expected November 2026.

Conclusion

The Velux Stiftung Daylight Research Grant Program offers a unique opportunity for innovative and interdisciplinary research that explores the potential of natural daylight to create societal, environmental, and health impacts. By supporting high-impact projects under clear strategic themes, the program encourages breakthrough discoveries, real-world applications, and international collaboration, contributing to the advancement of daylight research globally.

For more information, visit Velux Stiftung.