News
Current information on the SWEET funding programme. Subscribe to the SWEET newsletter to stay up to date.
Second SOUR call
The second SOUR call for proposals will be published on 1 September during the SWEET conference. The call’s guiding theme is “Supply Security in a Net-Zero Energy System”. Further information can be found under “SOUR Call 1-2026”.
The SWEET consortium ACHIEVE is researching pathways to net-zero
Not all greenhouse gas emissions can be completely avoided – especially in industry, waste-to-energy facilities, and agriculture. The new SWEET consortium ACHIEVE is investigating how we can achieve the net-zero goal by 2050 despite these residual emissions. Together with industry, policymakers, and society, the researchers are developing solutions to reduce, capture, utilize, or store these residual emissions. Nathalie Casas of Empa, coordinator of ACHIEVE, explains what the consortium is working on and why technological innovation alone is not enough.
14.07.2026 Energeia-Blog: SWEET-Konsortium ACHIEVE erforscht Wege zu Netto-Null
Launch of the first SWEETER call for proposals
The first SWEETER call on the topic “Energy- and resource-efficient industrial processes” has been launched. The call is open for pre-proposals until 30 June 2026. Further information can be found under “SWEETER Call 1-2026”.
16.04.2026
Launch of the first SWEETER call for proposals
Empa consortium awarded funding from SWEET programme
The Net-Zero call for proposals (Addressing Hard-To-Abate Emissions to Reach the Net-Zero Target of Switzerland) as part of the SWEET funding programme has been awarded to the ACHIEVE consortium, which is led by Empa.
29.09.2025
Empa consortium awarded funding from SWEET programme
Research and practice hand in hand
Around 130 researchers, experts from the administration as well as implementation partners and stakeholders from business and society met at the end of August for the fourth SWEET conference in Bern. The new, more implementation-focused format and the exciting discussion on the electricity agreement with the EU also attracted many interested parties from outside the research community.
03.09.2025 Energeia Blog: Forschung und Praxis Hand in Hand
Preparing the Swiss energy system for future risks
The blackout on the Spanish peninsula at the end of April showed just how dependent the economy and society are on the energy supply. An energy infrastructure that is prepared for future dangers and people who can deal with critical situations are therefore of great importance. The new SWEET consortium RECIPE (Resilient Infrastructure for the Swiss Energy Transition) is addressing these challenges. Giovanni Sansavini, coordinator of the RECIPE consortium, explains in an interview which dangers are in focus, what role cyber security plays and how the researchers want to tackle these issues in concrete terms.
16.07.2025 Energeia Blog: Das Schweizer Energiesystem für künftige Risiken wappnen
Sustainable fuels – not just a question of technology
How can Switzerland be reliably supplied with sustainable renewable fuels and platform chemicals? Empa's “reFuel.ch” (Renewable Fuels and Chemicals for Switzerland) consortium aims to provide answers. Christian Bach, co-coordinator of the consortium, explains what the researchers are specifically investigating and how they are proceeding.
19.11.2024 Energeia Blog: Nachhaltige Treibstoffe – nicht nur eine Frage der Technik
Communicating internally and externally
Over 100 researchers and representatives from business and government met in Bern on September 4, 2024 for the third SWEET conference. The focus was on exchange and communication - within the research community, but also between the scientific community and stakeholders from business and politics.
The presentations and photos can be found on the “SWEET Conference” page.
24.09.2024 Energeia Blog: Kommunizieren nach innen und nach aussen
RECIPE awarded funding from SWEET programme
A decision has been made on the call for proposals “Critical Infrastructures, Climate Change, and Resilience of the Swiss Energy System”: The RECIPE consortium led by ETH Zurich will receive funding.
13.08.2024
RECIPE awarded funding from SWEET programme
Seventh SWEET call for proposals “Net-Zero” launched
The SWEET call in 2024 with the topic “Addressing Hard-To-Abate Emissions to Reach the Net-Zero Target of Switzerland” was launched. The call is open for pre-proposals until 3 July 2024. Further information can be found under “SWEET Call 1-2024”.
13.03.2024
Launch of SWEET call for proposals on topic of Net Zero
CoSi brings different worlds together
Today's simulations and models are technology-centred and primarily take into account findings from the natural and engineering sciences. The CoSi consortium now aims to ensure sustainable collaboration between technical and scientific disciplines and the social sciences and humanities.
Federal Council approves dispatch on guarantee credit for SWEETER
SWEETER (SWiss Research for the EnErgy Transition and Emissions Reduction) is intended to complement SWEET from 2025 onwards and examine research questions relating to security of supply and the transition to a climate-friendly energy system.
21.02.2024
Bundesrat will Forschung zu Energie- und Klimafragen ausbauen
A look back on the SWEET Conference – Diverse insights into energy research
The second SWEET-conference took place on September 6, 2023. It offered a platform for exchange between energy research and implementation partners. Participants learned about the progress of the work of current consortia and were able to get in touch with the consortia at the marketplaces during the breaks.
The presentations and posters can be found on the “SWEET Conference” page.
26.09.2023 Energeia Blog: Rückblick SWEET-Konferenz - Vielfältige Einblicke in die Energieforschung
“Energy scenarios are like icebergs”
Model-based energy scenarios play an important role in the transformation of the energy system. They can provide a basis for decision-making in politics, business and society. In the SOUR project ProdUse, researchers gained insights into which factors influence the use and thus the effect of energy scenarios.
22.08.2023 Energeia Blog: “Energieszenarien sind wie Eisberge”
ReFuel.ch awarded funding from SWEET programme
A decision has been made on the call for proposals “Sustainable Fuels and Platform Chemicals”: The reFuel.ch consortium led by the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) will receive project funding.
10.08.2023
ReFuel.ch awarded funding from SWEET programme
Sixth SWEET call for proposals “Critical Infrastructures” launched
The SWEET call in 2023 is on “Critical Infrastructures, Climate Change, and Resilience of the Swiss Energy System”. The call is open for pre-proposals until 18 October 2023. Further information can be found under “SWEET Call 1-2023”.
06.07.2023
Sixth call for proposals for SWEET funding programme launched
Crises, language, justice – what does this have to do with energy research?
Social sciences and humanities are crucial for a successful energy transition. Therefore, they are to be given more emphasis within the SWEET funding programme. In two workshops, researchers from the social sciences and humanities identified the areas in which their research could have the greatest impact.
22.02.2023 Energeia Blog: Krisen, Sprache, Gerechtigkeit – was hat das mit Energieforschung zu tun?
CoSi awarded funding from the SWEET-call “Co-Evolution”
A decision has been made on the call for proposals “Co-Evolution of the Swiss Energy System and Swiss Society and its Representation in Coordinated Simulations”: The CoSi consortium led by the University of Basel will receive project funding.
24.01.2023
CoSi awarded funding from SWEET programme
Energy research in real life
In an interview, the coordinators of the LANTERN and SWICE consortia talk about their research in the “Living Labs”. There, researchers develop, implement and test new approaches and technologies to reduce energy consumption in living, working and mobility.
24.11.2022 Energeia Blog: Energy research in real life
CROSSDat - An open energy data platform for Switzerland
Adriana Marcucci, coordinator of the CROSS activity, and Lucas Tochtermann, Digital Innovation Specialist at the SFOE, talk in an interview about the importance of reliable, up-to-date and accessible energy data.
31.10.2022: Energeia Blog: CROSSDat - An open energy data plat-form for Switzerland
Fifth SWEET call for proposals “Sustainable Fuels” launched
The second SWEET call in 2022 is on “Sustainable Fuels and Platform Chemicals”. The call is open for pre-proposals until 9 December 2022. Further information can be found under “SWEET Call 2-2022”.
29.09.2022
Fifth call for proposals launched for SWEET funding programme
SWEET Conference – important platform for information exchange
The first SWEET conference was held successfully in Bern on 15 June. The participants exchanged information on the state of research in the SWEET consortia and discussed how transdisciplinarity can succeed in energy research. The presentations and posters can be found on the “SWEET Conference” page.
01.07.2022: Energeia Blog: SWEET-Konferenz – wichtige Plattform für den Informationsaustausch
SWEET call for proposals “Living & Working” – two consortia selected
The results of the SWEET Call 1-2021 have been announced. The following two consortia have been awarded:
- LANTERN – Living lAbs iNTerfaces for the Energy TRansitioN (Host Institution: HES-SO/Valais-Wallis)
- SWICE – Sustainable Wellbeing for the Individual and the Collectivity in the Energy transition (Host Institution: EPFL)
04.04.22: Energeia Blog: SWEET-Ausschreibung “Living & Working”: Zwei Konsortien ausgewählt
04.04.2022
LANTERN and SWICE awarded SWEET funding
Fourth SWEET call for proposals “Co-Evolution” launched
The first SWEET call in 2022 is on “Co-Evolution of the Swiss Energy System and Swiss Society and Its Representation in Coordinated Simulations”. The call is open for pre-proposals until 16 June 2022. Further information can be found under “SWEET Call 1-2022”.
22.03.31: Energeia Blog: Vierte SWEET-Ausschreibung “Ko-Evolution” gestartet
31.03.2022
Fourth call for proposals launched for SWEET funding programme
New toolbox for knowledge and technology transfer
In order to provide SWEET consortia, as well as other energy researchers and actors in knowledge transfer, with a low-threshold and attractive access to the topic of knowledge and technology transfer (KTT), a practical toolbox is now available.
22.03.02 Energeia Blog: Neuer Werkzeugkasten für den Wissens- und Technologietransfer
SWEET takes stock
A lot has been achieved, a lot has been learned and a lot has already been optimised: SWEET launched its first call for proposals in June 2020. We look back and show where the funding programme currently stands.
SWEET cooperates across federal office boundaries
Sustainable fuels and net zero: SWEET is preparing two new calls for proposals for 2022 and 2024 in cooperation with the Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA) and the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). The parties involved answer questions.
Introducing the consortium SURE
Four consortia have been selected as part of the first call for proposals on the topic of “Integration of renewables”. We introduce the SURE consortium, which is led by the PSI.
Sicher in die Energiezukunft – SURE rückt Versorgungssicherheit ins Zentrum - YouTube
Living & Working: Application process enter the second phase
The application process for the second SWEET call for proposals on the theme of “Living & Working” is entering the second phase. Four consortia have now been invited to submit a full proposal by 17 November 2021.
2021.09.22: Energeia Blog: Living & Working: Bewerbungsprozess geht in die zweite Runde
Introducing the consortium PATHFNDR
Four consortia have been selected as part of the first call for proposals on the topic of “Integration of renewables”. We introduce the PATHFNDR consortium, which is led by the ETH Zurich.
Introducing the consortium PATHFNDR - YouTube
Current call for proposals SWEET Call 2-2021
The second SWEET call for proposals of 2021 is on “Critical Infrastructures, Climate Change, and Resilience of the Swiss Energy System”. The call is open for pre-proposals from 9 September to 3 December. Further information is available on the “SWEET Call 2-2021” page.
09.09.2021
Third call for proposals for SWEET funding programme launched
Social scientists and humanities scholars must actively engage in energy research
Sustainable development is one of society's core tasks. Sociologist Prof. Michael Stauffacher explains in an interview why an integrative approach with different disciplinary perspectives is particularly important for the transition of our energy system.
Completion of the SOUR evaluation
Following the evaluation by independent, international experts, the four best-rated projects were awarded. The following article briefly presents the ULISSE, BILS, ProdUse and TMSG projects.
2021.07.14: Energeia Blog: SOUR Ausschreibung – 4 Projekte erhalten den Zuschlag
Introducing the consortium EDGE
Four consortia have been selected as part of the first call for proposals on the topic of “Integration of renewables”. We introduce the EDGE consortium, which is led by the EPF Lausanne.
2021.07.07: Energeia Blog: EDGE fokussiert auf erneuerbare, dezentrale Energiequellen
Introducing the consortium EDGE - YouTube
Interdisciplinary research contributes to faster implementation of the energy transition
Isabelle Stadelmann, Professor of Comparative Politics at the University of Bern, has been conducting research on energy issues for several years, often in cooperation with colleagues from natural sciences and technical disciplines. In the following interview, she shows why such collaborations are of great importance for the transformation of our energy system.
Introducing the consortium DeCarbCH
Four consortia have been selected as part of the first call for proposals on the topic of “Integration of renewables”. We introduce the DeCarbCH consortium, which is led by the University of Geneva.
01.06.2021: Energeia Blog: DeCarbCH: Was will das SWEET-Konsortium erreichen?
Introducing the consortium DeCarbCH - YouTube
Energy research needs the humanities and social sciences
The SWEET funding programme not only addresses the technical and scientific disciplines, but also promotes the participation of the social sciences and humanities in the consortia. Yasmine Calisesi, Energy Center EPF Lausanne, and Christian Schaffner, Energy Science Center, ETH Zurich, on important aspects of interdisciplinary cooperation within the SWEET consortia.
01.06.2021: Energeia Blog: La recherche énergétique a besoin des sciences humaines et sociales
Call for proposals SOUR Call 1-2021
With its call for proposals for unconventional, “outside-the-box” energy research, the SFOE is responding to the spirit of the times. A total of 77 project proposals were submitted by the end of March, significantly more than expected.
12.05.2021: Energeia Blog: Hohe Resonanz auf die erste SOUR-Ausschreibung
SAGW SWEET webinar
On 15 April 2021, Andreas Haselbacher presented the SWEET funding programme in a webinar organised by the Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences (SAGW) and provided information on the current status of the calls for proposals.
SWEET webinar - BFE YouTube channel (German only)
Overview of the activities of the first consortia (SWEET Call 1-2020)
In order to take into account the work already planned by the existing consortia when submitting proposals (pre-& full proposals) and to facilitate future coordination, an overview of the planned work is available for each consortium on the “SWEET Call 1-2020” page.
Current call for proposals SWEET Call 1-2021
The first SWEET call 2021 addresses the theme “Living & Working”. The call is open for pre-proposals from 6 April to 16 June 2021. Fur-ther information can be found on the “SWEET Call 1-2021” page.
06.04.2021: Energeia Blog: SWEET-Call 1-2021: Das Forschungsprogramm SWEET geht in die zweite Runde
06.04.2021
Second call of the energy research programme SWEET launched
Start of the first consortia (SWEET Call 1-2020)
The results of the SWEET Call 1-2020 call for proposals have been announced. Two panels of international experts has awarded the contract to four consortia:
- PATHFNDR - PATHways to an Efficient Future Energy System through Flexibility aND SectoR Coupling (Host Institution: ETH Zurich)
- EDGE - Enabling Decentralized renewable GEneration in the Swiss cities, midlands, and the Alps (Host Institution: EPF Lausanne)
- DeCarbCH - Decarbonisation of Cooling and Heating in Switzerland (Host Institution: University of Geneva)
- SURE - SUstainable and Resilient Energy for Switzerland (Host Institution: Paul Scherrer Institute PSI)
18.02.2021: Energeia Blog: SWEET-Ausschreibung: Zuschlag für vier Forschungs-Teams
18.02.2021
The first consortia start the new energy research programme SWEET
Previous press releases
25.06.2020
First call of the new energy research programme SWEET launched
Previous blogs
19.10.2020: Energeia Blog: 13 Gesuche für SWEET-Fördergelder eingegangen
26.06.2020: Energeia Blog: Die erste SWEET-Ausschreibung wurde lanciert
27.03.2020: Energeia Blog: Grosses Interesse an SWEET-Ausschreibung
28.02.2020: Energeia Blog: Startschuss für das Förderprogramm SWEET