The foundation perpetuates innovative research that tackles the complex challenges we face as a society with an interdisciplinary approach. The foundation believes that combining different perspectives opens new horizons of possibilities.
At Velux Stiftung, the core of their activities is grant making for external research projects four funding areas – among other things Healthy Ageing. While such grants typically support projects of one to four years with expenses of approximately CHF 100,000 per project year, the foundation also has a handful of projects in their portfolio which go beyond this framework because the purpose and impact justify the means.
The Velux Stiftung is interested in questions that touch on one or more funding areas, as well as challenges within one of the funding areas that call for interdisciplinary approaches. The foundation focuses on those ideas or challenges which are relevant, but have been neglected by the system, and/or take an interdisciplinary, outside-of-the-box approach where other funding opportunities are lacking
The funding policy of the Velux Stiftung has 3 key elements
- Ideas, topics, or challenges that are unconventional or have been neglected by the system are a great starting point.
- Interdisciplinary approaches that take into account the broader context of the question at hand, and are therefore sustainable.
- Transfer of new knowledge to the right audience in order to foster change and impact
Funding Area Healthy Ageing
The foundatione focuses among other things on a bio-psycho-social approach and support research that aims to sustain or increase the functional ability and intrinsic capacity of older people. Ageing entails physiological, social, and behavioural change. Therefore the goal is to enable people to be themselves and do what they value, to the best of their abilities wherever they are, whether that’s at home or in society.
There are two deadlines per year: in spring and in autumn. The final decision of the board is expected about 6 months later, in November or March, respectively.