Nano-Argovia program
The Nano-Argovia program supports innovation and technology transfer for companies in Northwestern Switzerland. It bridges the gap between basic scientific research conducted at the SNI and its industrial applications.

Each Argovia project pairs two academic partners from the SNI network with an industrial company from Northwestern Switzerland. At least 50% of the projects are conducted in cooperation with companies from the Canton of Aargau. The others are joint projects with enterprises from Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft or Solothurn.

The academic partners come from the University of Basel, the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland FHNW, the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI or the technology transfer centres ANAXAM or Swiss PIC, the CSEM SA Allschwil or the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering at ETH Zurich in Basel. The SNI strives for a wide variety of projects with a focus on nano imaging and nano fabrication. 

The team first spends one year examining various nanotechnology approaches, which mostly originated from the research conducted at the SNI. An extension for a second year is possible, if data look promising.

Industrial companies that participated in finalized Nano-Argovia projects are highly pleased about the outcome of the projects. In a survey, companies confirmed that they would participate in other Nano-Argovia projects. Regularly, follow-up projects develop from the joint projects with the SNI network.

Flyer call for Nano-Argovia projects

Nano-Argovia feasibility studies
Since 2026, companies in the canton of Aargau also have the opportunity to conduct a Nano-Argovia feasibility study with the support of the Swiss Nanoscience Institute and the Hightech Zentrum Aargau (HTZ, Brugg). 

This makes it easier for companies to evaluate innovative ideas in the fields of nanotechnology, nanomaterials, or nanoanalytics based on scientific findings.  Nano-Argovia feasibility studies thus provide the foundation for further development projects. 

Funding is available for low-threshold feasibility studies conducted with partners from the SNI network. Please submit applications for a Nano-Argovia feasibility study through the Hightech Zentrum Aargau (HTZ). The HTZ guides companies through the application process and assists in selecting suitable university and research partners from the SNI network.

Flyer Nano-Argovia Feasibility Studies (in German)
 

Examples of success stories that were published in recent annual reports, our electronic magazine SNI INSight or posts can be found here.