2013-2016: 10 MCHF for Idiap within the framework of a strategic alliance with EPFL

The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) expresses once again its faith in Idiap by according a subsidy of 10 MCHF Swiss francs for the period of 2013-2016. Concurrently, Idiap strengthens its ties with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology of Lausanne (EPFL) by renewing and reinforcing the joint development plan that unites the two institutions since 2008.

Idiap will receive from the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) a subsidy of 10 MCHF for the quadrennial period of 2013-2016, that is 3.5 MCHF more than for the previous period. More precisely, the amounts disbursed will be 2.4 MCHF in 2013, and some 2.5 MCHF for every following year. This subsidy will allow to still more solidify the financial basis of the institute and to sustainably secure its research, development and technology transfer activities.

This financial support is closely connected to the renewal of the strategical alliance between Idiap and EPFL. The wording of this alliance strengthens the ties between the two institutions, in order to develop common scientific activities and academic interests. The document has been signed on Friday, February 8, 2013 by the President of the Foundation Council of Idiap, Mr. Olivier Dumas, the Director of Idiap, Prof. Hervé Bourlard, the President of EPFL, Prof. Patrick Aebischer and the Vice-President of EPFL for academic affairs, Prof. Philippe Gillet.

The signing of this new convention also opens new opportunities of synergies within the framework of the project EPFL-Valais/Wallis regarding the fields of energy, health, security and risk management, in which Idiap is already active for some years.