Joint Meeting Swiss-Korean Life Science Initiative: Funding Opportunities and Scientific Collaboration between Switzerland and South Korea
On October 30, 2024, the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) hosted the Joint Meeting between the Korean delegation of the Swiss-Korean Life Science Initiative and the Sense Innovation and Research Center. Organized in collaboration with Science and Technology Office Seoul, this event brought together researchers, academic institutions, and government representatives from both countries to discuss funding opportunities, scientific collaborations, and ways to strengthen ties between Switzerland and South Korea in the fields of life sciences and medical technology.
Opening and Presentation of Funding Opportunities
The event opened with a compelling presentation by Professor Micah Murray, Scientific and Academic Director of the Sense Innovation and Research Center. He outlined the initiative’s objectives and highlighted the collaboration opportunities between Switzerland and South Korea, emphasizing the critical role of collaborative research in driving innovation across key sectors such as healthcare, biotechnology, and medical devices.
Jihyun Lim, Deputy Head of the Science and Technology Office at the Swiss Embassy in Seoul, then addressed the audience to discuss the goals of bilateral cooperation and the unique opportunities Switzerland offers to Korean researchers. She noted: “Korea is one of the few countries outside the EU with which Switzerland has established bilateral funding opportunities, covering everything from basic to applied research. Moreover, the Swiss-Korean Life Science Initiative has, for the past decade, been fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among medical doctors, scientists, engineers, start-ups, and the private sector.”
The following session highlighted funding opportunities presented by DaEun Lee from the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI). She detailed grant programs and funding opportunities for health projects, inviting Swiss and Korean researchers to participate in joint research initiatives.
Researcher Pitches: Presentation of Innovative Projects
The event then took a more interactive turn with researcher pitches. These 3-minute presentations allowed experts to showcase their research projects in various fields, including neuroscience, medical devices, and digital therapeutics.
Researchers emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations and how these international partnerships can catalyze major innovations in medical technologies and digital therapeutics.
Funding and Exchange Opportunities at UNIL
A key highlight of the event was the presentation by Denis Dafflon, Director of the International Relations Office at the University of Lausanne (UNIL). He showcased the diverse funding options and international exchange programs available at UNIL to foster scientific collaboration between Switzerland and South Korea.
“Numerous tools are in place to strengthen partnerships between UNIL and South Korean universities. Moreover, South Korea is a highly sought-after destination for our students participating in mobility programs. We warmly encourage researchers to reach out to us with their project ideas,” emphasized Denis Dafflon.
Closing and Future Opportunities
The event concluded with a presentation by Laura Acosta, Project Manager at the Science and Technology Office of the Swiss Embassy in Seoul. She introduced the Swiss-Korean Innovation Week, a program aimed at strengthening scientific partnerships between Switzerland and Korea by showcasing innovative projects in human augmentation in 2025. She explained that this event is part of a series of initiatives designed to consolidate links between researchers from both countries.
Conclusion: A Strengthened Partnership for Scientific Innovation
The Joint Meeting Swiss-Korean Life Science Initiative proved to be an excellent platform to reinforce scientific cooperation between Switzerland and South Korea. Through high-level interventions, inspiring researcher pitches, and presentations on funding opportunities, this event laid the groundwork for fruitful future collaborations.
