Annual Competition

The aim of the Dalle Molle Foundation is to promote research and innovation projects that put digital science and technology at the service of humanity. Through an annual competition it awards the label Quality of Life to several selected research and innovation projects that meet this objective by contributing to the enhancement of the quality of life in Society. By highlighting these projects, the Foundation aims to encourage further innovations that prioritize society, human well-being and freedom.

The competition is organized yearly and open to Swiss or Italian contributors (institutions, companies or individuals), projects and initiatives that significantly contribute to enhancing the quality of life for specific communities or society in general.

The competition seeks to promote technological advancements, related to computer science and artificial intelligence, that align with humanistic values, ensuring that such progress aids in improving communication, health, mobility, environment, etc. It attaches particular importance to ongoing research and innovation projects, whose scientific quality has been recognized and whose funding has already been guaranteed.

The evaluation process considers the following criteria:

• Addressing societal challenges: Including (but not limited to): harmonious and balanced management of the city; promotion of human, economic, social and cultural activities; enhancement of communication and social interactions; support to disadvantaged people to facilitate their socio-cultural integration, autonomy, personal development and dignity.
• Innovation and Creativity: The originality and ingenuity of the project.
• Relevance and Impact: The project’s potential to improve quality of life and its alignment with the foundation’s humanistic values.
• Feasibility and Scalability: The practicality of implementing the project and its potential for wider application.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The extent to which the project integrates multiple disciplines and fosters

The Foundation allocates a maximum amount of CHF 20,000 per year, including a bonus of CHF 10,000 for the winner of the competition.

The competition is open to all professional profiles and all ages. Participants must work in Switzerland or Italy. Submitted projects should meet the following criteria:

• The project must include a clear component that aims to improve the quality of life
• It must have an innovative and original character
• It must respect ethical principles and intellectual property rights.
• Its financing must be guaranteed by an independent source, usually obtained on a competitive basis (National Fund, Innossuisse, Horizon Europe, various foundations, etc.).

Participants are required to submit a concise proposal outlining their project’s objectives, methodologies, and expected outcomes. They must also provide evidence of the project’s impact on quality of life, supported by data, case studies, or testimonials. Applications should not exceed 5 pages and should answer the following questions:

• What is the problem to be solved?
• How can the proposal improve the quality of life? what population is it aimed at?
• What technologies (and standards, if any) is it based on?
• In which sense is the proposed solution innovative?
• What is the status of the project and what is the expected timeframe?
• Pointing to a project URL is a plus

The formal regulations for the competition (in French) are available <here>.

Rights and obligations of the laureates

Winners of the competition will be awarded the prestigious Quality of Life Label, along with funding and support from the Dalle Molle Foundation to further develop and implement their projects. Awardees can freely use this recognition as an endorsement of their work, while also inspiring others to pursue innovations that enhance human well-being.

Laureates are also strongly encouraged to:

• Have a project web site, clearly mentioning the support of the Foundation: This work was distinguished by the Dalle Molle Foundation for Quality of Life (www.dallemolle.ch).
• Add this acknowledgement to all their publications related to the labeled project
• Register to the Dalle Molle Foundation LinkedIn group
• Join the Dalle Molle Foundation Alumni Network to further increase their visibility

Rights and obligations of the Foundation

The Foundation Board is not required to provide reasons for its decisions.

The Foundation undertakes to publicly display the list of labelled projects on its website with links to the respective sites, and to provide the wide range of benefits offered to its Alumni. By showcasing the labelled projects, the Foundation ensures that the innovative endeavours it supports receive the recognition they deserve.

The decisions of the Foundation Board relating to the attribution of the Quality of Life label are not subject to appeal; they cannot, under any circumstances, be appealed.

Additional information can be obtained from the following address:

Fondation Dalle Molle pour la qualité de la vie
c/o Institut de recherche Idiap
Rue Marconi 19
Case postale 592
CH-1920 Martigny
concours@dallemolle.ch

Candidates are invited to upload their applications no later than May 31