Selection criteria

We want to build projects that showcase how to make AI, technology and digitalization more responsible and sustainable, and usable in the real world – at scale.

We are looking for projects that:

• address real challenges in the realm of tech, data, and digitalization and societal impact
• let us abstract insights for how to implement AI and technology in a more responsible and sustainable fashion, at scale
• are feasible within a short prototyping phase
• have clear potential for onward real-world use and impact
• we see can scale beyond the prototyping phase

Eligibility Criteria

The following formal criteria are reviewed by the Prototype Fund team before your project is assessed by the jury:

• Does the project contribute to Responsible and Sustainable AI, Tech & Digitalization?
  This may include aspects such as:
  • responsibility (e.g. governance, transparency, accountability)
  • sustainability in the environmental sense (e.g. resource use, environmental impact, sufficiency)
  • public-interest technology and societal sustainability and impact
• Does the project demonstrate a clear societal relevance and a concrete application context?
• Does the project ensure an appropriate level of openness, transparency, and reusability?
  (e.g. through documentation, shared components, or accessible outputs where possible)
• If the project uses data:
  • Are data sources and usage clearly described?
  • Are considerations around data protection and responsible use addressed?
• Are the applicants of legal age?
• Do the applicants have a valid work permit in Switzerland?

Evaluation Criteria

If the eligibility criteria are met, projects are evaluated across the following dimensions (weighted equally):

1. Relevance to Responsible & Sustainable AI

• To what extent does the project contribute to:
  • responsible AI (e.g. accountability, transparency, governance)?
  • sustainable digitalization (e.g. environmental and/or societal impact and digital sufficiency)?
• Does the project address one of the thematic challenges?

2. Innovation & Approach

• How novel or forward-looking is the idea?
• Does the project:
  • introduce new approaches or combinations of existing methods?
  • make existing solutions more effective, accessible, or impactful?
• Does it contribute to practical implementation, not just conceptual exploration?

3. Feasibility & Team

• Does the team have the skills and composition required to implement the project?
• Is the idea realistic within the prototyping phase (~4 months)?
• Is there a clear plan for execution?

4. Impact & Implementation Potential

• Does the project have the potential for:
  • real-world application
  • scaling or transferability
• Does it generate:
  • usable outputs (e.g. tools, prototypes, frameworks)?
  • insights relevant for policy, governance, or practice?

Portfolio Considerations

In addition to individual project quality, the final selection will consider:

• Diversity of Projects
  A balanced portfolio across different topics, approaches, and application areas according to the predefined challenge aras
• Diversity of Teams
  Preference for interdisciplinary teams and inclusion of underrepresented groups where possible
• Strategic Fit
  Alignment with the overall programme focus and challenge areas
• Ambition / High-Impact Potential
  Inclusion of particularly ambitious (“moonshot”) projects with high impact potential.

Quick Check

Before evaluation, we ensure:

• your project fits this cycle’s theme of Responsible & Sustainable AI, Tech & Digitalization
• your project fits at least one of the thematic challenge areas
• your team meets the formal requirements (especially: legal age, work permit in Switzerland)