Launch of the second call for projects between Gaznat and EPFL

Gaznat and EPFL are continuing their strategic partnership as part of the research program

Gaznat and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) have a long-standing strategic partnership aimed at establishing a center of expertise in the fields of CO₂ capture, storage, and utilization, as well as in the production of synthetic gas, to accelerate innovation in the energy transition.

This partnership was strengthened in 2024 with a new framework agreement involving three calls for proposals scheduled between 2025 and 2027.

Last year, the first call for proposals resulted in more than thirty applications being submitted and the selection of seven projects that will receive financial support from Gaznat.

This second call for proposals aims to encourage the development of innovative solutions and accelerate their implementation in real-world industrial settings.

_{Project themes}

The Gaznat-EPFL research program supports projects in the following areas:

• Advanced separation technologies (e.g.,_CO2 captured from the air or flue gas,_H2 from_CH4, etc.)
• Production of synthetic and renewable gases and liquids
• Energy storage infrastructure (e.g., in rock caverns or chemical storage / P2X) and transmission infrastructure
• _Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)
• Impact of various molecules on containment materials (e.g.,_H₂ in steel pipelines)
•  Systemic issues related to gas processing and supply
• Applications of artificial intelligence in the fields mentioned above
• Other topics deemed relevant by the steering committee

_{Project Categories}

The Gaznat-EPFL research program supports projects in the following categories:

1. “Explore”: TRL ≥ 4: laboratory-scale prototypes with the potential to advance to TRL 6–9.

• Project duration: up to 4 years.
• Expected funding: CHF 300,000 to 500,000 (maximum) per project.
• Expected outcomes: prototypes of new technologies, processes, or solutions to be deployed within the Innovation Lab.

2. « Seed » : TRL < 4 : projets à un stade précoce avec le potentiel d’évoluer vers des TRL plus élevés

• Project duration: 6 to 12 months
• Expected funding: CHF 50,000 to 100,000 (maximum) per project
• Expected results: description and characterization of promising pathways, frameworks, or technologies with the potential for further development toward higher TRLs

_{Submission of projects}

The second call for proposals is now open, and EPFL researchers are invited to submit their proposals by the deadline of August 17, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

Detailed information on how to prepare application materials is available on the EPFL website.

_{Gaznat News}

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7467491615096504320

www.gaznat.ch

EPFL LinkedIn Post

Innovation Lab Landing Page