Deadline: 04-Jun-2026
The Velux Stiftung Daylight Research Grant Program is inviting applications for innovative interdisciplinary research projects that place natural daylight at the core of the research question and methodology. The programme supports high-impact research exploring how daylight can contribute to healthier societies, sustainable urbanisation, climate resilience, and future energy systems.
The initiative encourages outside-the-box collaborations between disciplines that do not traditionally work together and prioritizes high-risk, high-gain projects with strong innovation potential.
Program Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Support interdisciplinary daylight-focused research
- Promote innovative and high-impact scientific collaboration
- Advance sustainable and climate-responsive solutions
- Improve human, animal, and ecosystem well-being
- Strengthen research on daylight and urbanisation
- Encourage future-oriented solar and environmental solutions
Research Focus Areas
Projects must place natural daylight at the centre of both the research question and the research design.
Future Solar Societies
Research may explore:
- Solar-based living systems
- Sustainable energy transitions
- Climate mitigation strategies
- Daylight-driven environmental innovation
Daylight and Global Health
Research may focus on:
- Human health and well-being
- Mental health and circadian rhythms
- Daylight exposure and public health
- Effects of daylight on ecosystems and living organisms
Daylight and Urbanisation
Projects may examine:
- Urban planning and daylight access
- Sustainable building environments
- Daylight in cities and public spaces
- Climate-resilient urban systems
Funding Categories
Seed Projects
Seed Projects support:
- Feasibility studies
- Proof-of-concept research
- Experimental interdisciplinary collaborations
- Early-stage innovative ideas
Funding Details
- Funding amount: CHF 50,000 to CHF 100,000
- Project duration: Up to 1 year
Research Projects
Research Projects support:
- Larger interdisciplinary studies
- Long-term daylight-focused research
- High-impact collaborative initiatives
Funding Details
- Funding amount: CHF 100,000 to CHF 300,000
- Project duration: Up to 4 years
Eligible Costs
Funding may support:
- Salaries and personnel costs
- Consumables and research materials
- Equipment purchases
- Workshops and collaborative meetings
- Travel and conference participation
- Knowledge transfer and dissemination activities
- Other justified project-related expenses
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Meet Velux Stiftung’s general eligibility requirements
- Submit applications through the foundation’s web portal
- Clearly demonstrate that natural daylight is central to the research project
- Propose interdisciplinary and innovative research approaches
Ineligible Projects
Projects are not eligible if:
- Daylight is only a secondary or peripheral research element
- Artificial light substitutes natural daylight without direct daylight relevance
- The proposal lacks interdisciplinarity or innovation
- Eligibility and exclusion requirements are not met
Applications failing to meet the criteria will be rejected without peer review.
Why This Program Matters
The programme supports:
- Innovative climate and sustainability research
- Cross-disciplinary scientific collaboration
- Health and ecosystem resilience research
- Sustainable urban and environmental solutions
- New approaches to solar and daylight-based systems
- Research that can create long-term societal impact
How to Apply
- Develop an interdisciplinary research concept focused on natural daylight
- Identify innovative collaborations across different disciplines
- Choose the appropriate funding category (Seed or Research Project)
- Prepare a detailed research proposal and implementation plan
- Explain the role of natural daylight in the research design and objectives
- Submit the application through the Velux Stiftung online portal before the deadline
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are assessed based on:
- Scientific quality and originality
- Interdisciplinary collaboration strength
- Innovation and high-impact potential
- Relevance of natural daylight to the project
- Feasibility and research methodology
- Long-term sustainability and societal impact
Tips for Strong Applications
- Clearly position daylight as the central research component
- Build collaborations between disciplines that rarely interact
- Demonstrate strong innovation and impact potential
- Explain how the research contributes to sustainability or health
- Include realistic timelines and justified budgets
- Highlight feasibility while maintaining ambitious research goals
FAQ
What is the main focus of the Daylight Research Grant Program?
The programme supports interdisciplinary research where natural daylight is central to the research question and methodology.
What funding categories are available?
Applicants can apply for Seed Projects or larger Research Projects.
How much funding is available?
Seed Projects can receive CHF 50,000–100,000, while Research Projects can receive CHF 100,000–300,000.
How long can projects last?
Seed Projects may last up to 1 year, while Research Projects may run for up to 4 years.
Are interdisciplinary collaborations encouraged?
Yes, the programme strongly encourages collaborations between disciplines that do not traditionally work together.
Are projects using artificial light eligible?
No, projects where daylight is peripheral or replaced mainly by artificial light are not eligible.
Conclusion
The Velux Stiftung Daylight Research Grant Program supports groundbreaking interdisciplinary research exploring the role of natural daylight in health, sustainability, urbanisation, and future solar societies. By funding innovative and collaborative projects, the programme encourages transformative research that can generate long-term environmental, societal, and scientific impact.
For more information, visit Velux Stiftung.