the way the documents de-scribe the submission pro-cess
the way the programme manager(s) advised you during the submission pro-cess
the application of the evalu-ation criteria
the feedback you have re-ceived on the project out-line
the way the decision on the project outline was commu-nicated
the duration of the submis-sion process
the clarity of the objectives of SFOE energy research programmes
the delineation of the differ-ent programmes
the specification of the evaluation criteria
19b: During the submission process, did you always know who the responsible per-son (programme manager) at SFOE was? (EA)
If it was unclear during the submission process of one project who the responsible person was, please indicate "No".
Yes
No
20 Comment on the submission process – Open question
***
Filter: If no project in 2017 (Question 8) → direkt zur übernächsten Frage
21 Since 2017, the SFOE uses the following funding criteria to decide on project submissions (Hyperlink Energieforschungskonzept Anhang H). SFOE now wishes to know whether these new criteria are easy or hard to meet.
Which of the criteria were particularly hard or easy to meet? (EA, Matrixfrage) Hard to
meet
Rather hard to meet
Rather easy to meet
Easy to meet
I can't say
Formal criteria, such as the completeness of documents, the com-prehensibility of the project outline and the project goals, or the written approval of all project partners involved
Criteria regarding content
Security of supply in Switzerland and potential to reduce energy con-sumption, greenhouse gas emissions or substitution for non-renewable energies
Focus area of SFOE energy research programme Technology readiness level according to the programme
Other criteria regarding content, such as accordance with scientific principles, possibility of publishing the project results, application-re-lated project
Qualitative criteria
Project content (political, strategic and scientific relevance, added value, innovation, cost-benefit ratio, subsidiarity)
Chances and risks (energetic potential of technology, acceptance of technology, contribution to sustainability)
Diffusion (implementation potential, potential for multiplication, public interest, international cooperation)
Organisation (competences, organisation; methodology; work sched-ule)
Excellence (preliminary work, quality of inputs; experience, recognition, potential)
***
22 Have you ever discussed a project idea with or submitted a project outline to the SFOE energy research that subsequently did not get funding? (EA, PF)
Yes
No
I don't know
***
Filter: «No» and «I don't know» → Block IV
23 Did you pursue the rejected project(s) anyway? (MA)
Please select all answers that apply to at least one of your project ideas or outlines rejected by the SFOE energy research.
No
Yes, with other external financial support
Yes, funded from own resources of my institution
Yes, I pursued the same project
Yes, but the project scope was reduced
Yes, but the project scope was increased
Yes, but the project was otherwise modified
Yes, but the project was carried out later
24 Which statements apply to at least one of your project ideas or project outlines that was / were rejected? The SFOE energy research rejected funding because…
(MA)
— the SFOE energy research already funded another project with a similar focus.
— the content of the project idea was not in the focus areas of the SFOE energy research / did not fit into one of the programmes.
— the project idea was not application-related research, but basic research or market-oriented research.
— the funding resources were already exhausted during the year I applied.
— of other reasons which are: …(open question)
— I don't know
***
25 In case SFOE energy research rejected your project idea or outline, did they ever refer you to any of the following funding institutions (for alternative funding) (MA, PF)?
Please indicate all answers that apply for at least one of your project ideas/outlines rejected by the SFOE.
— SNFS: National Research Programmes 70/71
— SNFS: other funding than NRP 70/71
— CTI: SCCER
— CTI: other funding than SCCER
— European Commission (FP7, Horizon 2020)
— Other European or international funding: … (open)
— Cantons, communes, cities
— Other(s): … (open)
***
Filter: Question 23 ≠ «Yes, with other external financial support» → übernächste Frage 26 You indicated before that you pursued one or several project(s) with other
exter-nal funding. Which funding did you receive for your project(s)? (MA)
Please indicate all answers that apply for at least one of your project ideas/outlines rejected by the SFOE.
— SNFS: National Research Programmes 70/71
— SNFS: other funding than NRP 70/71
— CTI: SCCER
— CTI: other funding than SCCER
— European Commission (FP7, Horizon 2020)
— Other European or international funding: … (open)
— Cantons, communes, cities
— Other(s): … (open)
— No, I did not succeed in getting other funding
— No, I did not try to get other funding
— No answer
27 Further information or comments regarding the not-supported project(s):
– Open question
***
III. National and international networking
The SFOE energy research coordinates energy research in Switzerland and also repre-sents Switzerland in international initiatives. How do you assess the SFOE's coordination and network performance, and how are you involved in the related national or international activities?
28 Please indicate to what extent you agree with the following statements about the impact of SFOE on your network. (EA, Matrixfrage)
Thanks to initiatives of SFOE programme man-ager(s), …
I agree com-pletely
I rather agree I rather disa-gree
I disagree I don't know
I got put in contact with ac-ademic partners in my field of research in Switzerland.
I got put in contact with ac-ademic partners abroad.
I got put in contact with companies in Switzerland.
I got put in contact with companies abroad.
I got put in contact with po-tential users of my research results in Switzerland.
I got put in contact with po-tential users of my research results abroad.
***
29 Are you involved in one of the following international programmes or networks?
(MA, PF)
— International Energy Agency (IEA), namely the following programme(s): … (open)
— ERA-Net, namely the following network(s): … (open)
— EU-research programmes like Horizon2020, FP7, namely: … (open)
— Other programme or network, namely: … (open)
— I do participate in some international activities but I don't know in which programme or network
— No
***
Filter: «No» → Block V
30 In what way do you participate in international activities? (MA)
— I am involved in an international research project (e. g. part of IEA or an ERA-Net)
— I manage a working group on a specific topic
— I am part of a working group on a specific topic
— I help(ed) to organise events in my field of research in Switzerland
— I help(ed) to organise events in my field of research in another country
— I participate in international conferences/events in my field of research
— Other: … (open)
31 Due to my participation in an international activity in one of the mentioned pro-gramme(s) or network(s), … (MA)
— I could strengthen my international research network
— I could gain new international partners in academia and/or in industry
— I got involved in another international research project
— I could present my research results at an event
— I could exchange knowledge in my field of research with international researchers
— I could publish articles in an international journal
— Other: … (open)
— None of these
— I don't know
32 In what position are you active in international programmes or networks? (MA, PF)
Please indicate all answers that apply for your activities in programmes or networks.
— Project leader
— Work package leader
— Task leader
— Researcher
— Other: … (open)
33 Further information or comments regarding the national and international net-working facilitated by SFOE:
— Open question
***
IV. Conclusion on SFOE energy research
We would like to know how you assess the SFOE energy research in general.
34 Please indicate to what extent you agree with the following statements: (EA, Ma-trixfrage)
I disagree I rather disa-gree
I rather agree I agree I don't know
The SFOE energy research complements other funding institutions in a useful way.
The SFOE energy research is the only funding institu-tion for applicainstitu-tion-related energy research for the in-dustry, Swiss energy policy and the society.
The SFOE energy research causes research results serving a direct application in industry, energy policy and society.
As a result of the growth of energy research funding, the SFOE funding is no more needed.
35 Please indicate if you agree with the following statements: (EA, Matrixfrage, PF)
Yes No I can't say
I would recommend SFOE funding to my colleagues I would submit again
Filter: 2x «Yes» → übernächste Frage
36 Please explain why not or why you can't say. (PF) – Open question
***
37 Do you have any suggestions for improvement for the SFOE energy research?
– Open question
38 Would you like to add any concluding remarks or feedback?
– Open question
***
V. General information on the respondent
To conclude this survey, we would like to ask some general information.
1 Function in the project or most of the projects (EA)
Project leader
Deputy project leader
Sub-project leader / Scientific collaborator
Other: … (open)
2 How important is research in your daily working life?
Important
Rather important
Rather unimportant
Unimportant
I don't know
3 Please check what applies for you: (EA, PF)
— While conducting the SFOE-supported project(s), I was / am working for a higher edu-cation institution or a publicly funded research institution
— While conducting the SFOE-supported project(s), I was / am working for the private industry
— Other: …
***
Filter: «private industry» → übernächste Frage
4 While conducting the SFOE-supported project(s), I was / am working for: (MA, PF)
— EPF Lausanne
— ETH Zürich
— Research institution of the «ETH-Domain» (Eawag, WSL, Empa, PSI)
— Universität Basel
— Universität Bern
— Universität Fribourg
— Université de Genève
— Université de Lausanne
— Universität Luzern
— Université de Neuchâtel
— Universität St.Gallen
— Universität Zürich
— Berner Fachhochschule BFH
— Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW
— Fachhochschule Ostschweiz FHO
— Hochschule Luzern HSLU
— Zürcher Fachhochschule ZFH
— Haute école spécialisée de Suisse occidentale HES-SO
— Scuola universitaria professionale della Svizzera italiana SUPSI
— Kalaidos Fachhochschule
— Other publicly funded research institutions
— University outside Switzerland
— Other: …
— No answer
***
Filter: alle → übernächste Frage
5 While conducting the SFOE-supported project(s), I was / am working for: (MA)
A small enterprise (1-49 employees)
A medium enterprise (50-249 employees)
A large enterprise (250 or more employees)
Other: …