Adapt+ climate adaptation grant

• Individuals, companies, cantons, regions, cities, municipalities, associations and clubs in Switzerland can seek funding for adaptation measures in Switzerland. Universities, research institutions and other public institutions can contribute as project partners.
• Central federal administration units cannot initiate, lead or receive the grant. ETHZ, ETHL, PSI, WSL, EMPA and EAWAG can receive funding only as team members, for work outside their core mandate, in projects costing at least CHF 50,000. Their own contributions do not count towards calculation of the maximum grant. Central federal administration contributions count as federal funding.
• The measure must make a substantial, demonstrable contribution to avoiding climate-related harm to people or valuable property, infrastructure, nature or landscapes. It must fit federal energy and climate policy and the objectives and principles of Switzerland’s adaptation strategy. Proven measures must already have been implemented successfully elsewhere. Research projects, education or training, disaster response, operation and maintenance, standalone awareness campaigns and establishing or running network offices are excluded.
• For tree planting, specify species and prioritise those scoring above 2 in built-up areas or at least 3 outside them under the named “Biodiversitätsindex 2021 für Stadtbäume im Klimawandel”. Avoid invasive or potentially invasive non-native species and consider pollen allergy potential.
• Show that reasonable self-help and other financing cannot deliver the measure adequately without the grant. Disclose every funding source and provide the signed statement explaining the funding need. Written commitments for own and third-party funds must be signed by an authorised person.
• Do not begin substantial work, make major financial commitments or sign contracts for key components before FOEN awards funding. Minor preparatory activities before that commitment point may be undertaken at your risk. An early-start exception requires FOEN approval and a complete application for a mature project; it gives no entitlement to funding. Projects should normally start within three months of the award; projects planned to start several years after application are ineligible. Durations up to four years are preferred.
• Planning and implementation of a direct measure require separate applications. Apply for implementation only after planning is complete. Required building permits must accompany the application; a justified exception requires them before the first milestone and first payment.
• Funding is subject to approved federal budgets and is not an entitlement. When eligible applications exceed available funds, FOEN ranks them and funds them in that order.

Statut

clos

Ouverture

29 janv. 2026

Clôture

31 mars 2026

Conditions de cette période de candidature

• Closed 2026 direct-application round.

Register for Adapt+ through CORE using the official application instructions. Registration is mandatory; FOEN sends a postal confirmation with the submission code, normally within 14 days. You can begin preparing the application while waiting. Check the official programme page for the next 2027 intake before submitting.

Submit the CORE form and required attachments in German, French or Italian; these languages may be combined. Use the official budget and timetable template. Explain the site-specific climate risk, the proposed measure, its expected effect, the evidence and conservative assumptions behind it, costs, financing and timetable. Propose effect indicators for preparatory and implementation work; planning applications define indicators for the planned measure. Include required permits and written consent from involved parties.

After an award, immediately report changes affecting the grant, including administrative/contact changes, and contact FOEN if you cannot comply with the award. Milestone and final reports must show implementation progress, explain deviations and include the full cost statement and invoice copies. The final report demonstrates the effect, or plausibly estimates it where the effect develops later, and gives recommendations for repeating the measure elsewhere.

Payment requires FOEN approval of the reports. Interim payments cover incurred costs up to 80% of the awarded grant; final payment follows the approved completion report. Incomplete reports delay payment. Failure to fulfil obligations can lead to reduced or withheld payments or recovery. If less than 80% of the intended effect is achieved, proportionate repayment normally applies. FOEN may waive recovery if you demonstrate that the shortfall arose from factors beyond your control, rather than overestimated effects or faulty implementation. FOEN publishes recipient and project information while protecting business and manufacturing secrets.