Deadline Date: May 3, 2026
The nexBio Amazonia 3rd Edition Open Call is a bilateral initiative designed to foster sustainable innovation and research collaborations aimed at advancing a bioeconomy in the Amazon region.
Focus Areas, sustainable innovation projects, international partnerships between Switzerland and Brazil, sustainable inclusive and efficient bioeconomy, response to climate change, biodiversity loss, socio-bioeconomy development, regional problem-solving in the Amazon, innovation ecosystem engagement, academic and research collaboration, startup implementation support, sustainable technologies, social and organizational process innovation, market validation, biodiversity, food systems, climate change, social sciences and economy, SDG-aligned development, science-based innovation, ready-to-market solutions, biotechnology, agriculture, green chemistry, local knowledge integration, sustainable production systems, bilateral cooperation.
The program aims to initiate and implement sustainable innovation projects in the Amazon region by acting as a platform that enables new international partnerships between Switzerland and Brazil. It focuses on addressing urgent environmental challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss while strengthening socio-bioeconomy development through practical, locally relevant solutions.
Through this initiative, participants are supported in developing innovative approaches that respond to region-specific challenges identified through consultation with local stakeholders and research. The program emphasizes building connections, knowledge, and skills needed to operate effectively within the Amazon innovation ecosystem, helping participants establish meaningful and context-driven collaborations.
For startups, the program provides structured support to accelerate sustainable solutions, including engagement with local innovation and research environments, mentoring, workshops, field visits, and networking opportunities. It also supports business model development, market validation in the Amazon region, and access to local and international funding and accelerator networks, ensuring readiness for implementation and growth.
Researchers from Brazilian and Swiss institutions are encouraged to participate by developing science-driven solutions aligned with sustainability goals. The program promotes work in areas such as biodiversity, food systems, climate change, and social sciences and economy, with a strong emphasis on contributions that support local ecosystems and socio-economic development.
Eligibility for startups requires a strong commitment to sustainable development, alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, and a ready-to-market solution with a minimum technology readiness level of 5, ideally level 7 or higher. Solutions must be science-based and capable of delivering value in bilateral cooperation contexts. Researchers must be affiliated with recognized institutions in Brazil or Switzerland and demonstrate clear relevance to sustainable development and innovation in the Amazon region.
The initiative also ensures that participants receive comprehensive support, including logistical and administrative assistance, immersion in local ecosystems, stakeholder engagement opportunities, and exposure to complementary programs that may support continued project development and implementation.
For more information, visit Swissnex.
