With the 3rd Structure Call, the Digitalization Initiative of the Zurich Higher Education Institutions (DIZH) supports new, long-term innovation structures for up to 3 years. Because digitalization generates new work structures and because innovative power can only develop in suitable structures, the DIZH Structure Call explicitly seeks innovative structures.
DIZH structures will be designed as formats that are adequate to digitalization and should be able to react quickly to developments. DIZH structures will form a central instrument for overcoming the boundaries of disciplines’ and organizations’ silos and finding practically relevant solutions. The organizational forms created by the Structure Call should outlast the DIZH and contribute to establishing sustainable cooperation among the higher education institutions of the Canton of Zurich.
Particular attention must be paid to ensuring that the structures and cooperation mechanisms created continue beyond DIZH funding. A strategy for sustainable funding is key, as is the early involvement of relevant decision-makers from the relevant institutions.
Accordingly, applicants shall demonstrate:
- how innovation and value creation can be generated in practice through their structure and what role practice partners (as part of the application team and/or as beneficiaries of the DIZH structure) will have in this;
- which accompanying measures (e.g., knowledge transfer or information events for the interested public) will support this impact;
- how the impact will unfold and possibly change over a long period.
Eligibilty
- Employees of all DIZH institutions – who are employed during the DIZH funding
- The applicants’ higher degree institutional unit (e.g., faculty, department) must confirm its support for the application, the provision of the necessary resources, and its willingness to back the structure together with the partner institutions, in compliance with the respective financial regulations
- The application must be submitted by at least two applicants from different DIZH institutions
Funding and duration
For this third call, a funding volume of up to CHF 2,4 million is planned. Each structure can be supported with CHF 0,5 to 1,2 million (or with max. CHF 250,000 to CHF 0,6 million for the first period, which ends after 1,5 years at the latest) through the DIZH special credit.
Support of new, long-term innovation structures for up to 3 years.
Application process
Important: Interested applicants are requested to note the respective conditions of the DIZH partner universities.