CERN’s core business is fundamental science, but the Laboratory’s technology and know-how have the potential to drive innovations in a variety of fields, often through collaborations with industrial partners.
CERN offers its personnel two funding schemes to help bridge the gap between research and industry: the knowledge transfer (KT) fund and the medical applications (MA) budget. These mechanisms provide resources to help take early-stage, innovative projects from the Laboratory to society.
In order to be considered, a project must be based on CERN technologies, submitted by a member of the personnel and approved by the department head. Grants from the KT fund and the MA budget can cover material and equipment costs and allow CERN teams to hire associate members of the personnel or technical or PhD students to support the project’s activities. The department must agree to cover the salaries of the personnel involved. The KT group is available to help you assess the technology and seek external partners such as companies, hospitals or universities.
If your technology has the potential for applications in healthcare, you should apply for funding from the MA budget. Before making your submission, you must present your proposal – even if it’s not yet finalised – at one of the upcoming CERN Medical Applications Project Forum meetings on 23 August or 13 September. Please contact kt.medicalapplications@cern.ch as soon as possible to pre-book your slot. The full process is explained here: https://kt.cern/funding/ma-budget
If you are targeting applications outside the healthcare field, please apply for funding from the KT fund by following the instructions detailed here. All ideas are welcome, particular those in the field of the environment or quantum and digital technologies.
Complete applications must be submitted by 18 September 2023. Applicants will then present their proposals to the selection committee on 8 November 2023.
We encourage you to contact your Knowledge Transfer Internal Network (INET) representatives or the Knowledge Transfer group (kt@cern.ch) as early as possible to discuss opportunities.
The following articles highlight how KT support (through funding or other means) has benefited the projects of CERN personnel:
- Gaining perspective in intellectual property – Hélène Mainaud-Durand, Mechatronics and Measurements group
- When research radiates beyond the lab – Marco Silari, Radiation Protection group
- Rooted in society – Axel Naumann, Software Design for Experiments group
- The rise of the radiation protection robots – Mario Di Castro, Mechatronics, Robotics and Operations section
- Materials that matter – Jorge Guardia-Valenzuela, Mechanical and Materials Engineering group
Read more about how to apply for funding here: