EPFL and UNIL remove overheads for technology platforms Lausanne, Switzerland; Up to 20% savings on fees

EPFL and UNIL remove overheads for technology platforms Lausanne, Switzerland; Up to 20% savings on fees

EPFL and UNIL Drop Overheads for Access to Technology Platforms - EPFL

EPFL and UNIL Drop Overheads for Access to Technology Platforms

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Inside the Cryos Titan (Dubochet Center for Imaging) © UNIL

EPFL and UNIL have removed the overheads associated with the use of technology platforms hosted by the partner institution. This agreement facilitates access to state-of-the-art equipment and specialized expertise while fostering synergy.

Technology platforms provide researchers with access to cutting-edge equipment, unique infrastructure, and the support of highly qualified specialists. A significant step forward for laboratories came into effect on March 1 2026: EPFL and UNIL have eliminate the overhead charges, previously as high as 20%, applied when researchers used facilities operated by the partner institution. These costs, which are generally not covered by research funding, are generally intended to contribute to depreciation, maintenance costs, or other indirect expenses. Their removal eliminates a financial barrier to accessing complementary research facilities across the two campuses.

The agreement applies to all technology platforms with officially established user fees, encompassing dozens of specialized facilities across a broad range of fields, including life sciences, engineering, materials science, and advanced microscopy.

Beyond the financial savings, the primary objective is scientific. By making it easier for researchers to access equipment and expertise available at the neighboring institution, EPFL and UNIL aim to encourage the use of the most suitable infrastructure for each project, strengthen collaborations, and develop a more complementary research ecosystem. In the longer term, this approach may also help reduce duplication of investments and improve complementarity in the development of future research infrastructure.

The agreement nonetheless stipulates that researchers should continue to use facilities within their own institution whenever these adequately meet their needs. Access to a partner institution’s platform should be justified by the availability of unique expertise, equipment that is not available locally, or complementary technical competencies.

Source: EPFL centers and platforms

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Technology platforms provide researchers with access to cutting-edge equipment, unique infrastructure, and the support of highly qualified specialists. A significant step forward for laboratories came into effect on March 1 2026: EPFL and UNIL have eliminate the overhead charges, previously as high as 20%, applied when researchers used facilities operated by the partner institution. These costs, which are generally not covered by research funding, are generally intended to contribute to depreciation, maintenance costs, or other indirect expenses. Their removal eliminates a financial barrier to accessing complementary research facilities across the two campuses. The agreement applies to all technology platforms with officially established user fees, encompassing dozens of specialized facilities across a broad range of fields, including life sciences, engineering, materials science, and advanced microscopy. Beyond the financial savings, the primary objective is scientific. By making it easier for researchers to access equipment and expertise available at the neighboring institution, EPFL and UNIL aim to encourage the use of the most suitable infrastructure for each project, strengthen collaborations, and develop a more complementary research ecosystem. In the longer term, this approach may also help reduce duplication of investments and improve complementarity in the development of future research infrastructure. The agreement nonetheless stipulates that researchers should continue to use facilities within their own institution whenever these adequately meet their needs. Access to a partner institution’s platform should be justified by the availability of unique expertise, equipment that is not available locally, or complementary technical competencies. EPFL Technology Platforms UNIL Technology Platforms