ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE

Their core work

EPFL is Switzerland's leading technical university, operating as a powerhouse across materials science, neuroscience, energy conversion, robotics, and computational science. They generate fundamental research breakthroughs — from brain simulation and graphene electronics to perovskite solar cells and protein engineering — and translate them toward industrial application through deep European partnerships. Their labs produce both foundational knowledge and trained researchers (via extensive MSCA fellowship programs), making them a dual engine of discovery and talent development. With nearly equal capacity to lead and contribute to consortia, EPFL functions as both an anchor institution and a flexible research partner.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2014–2018), EPFL concentrated heavily on brain science (human brain simulation, neuroinformatics, high-performance computing) and advanced materials (graphene, sensors), alongside smart buildings and regenerative medicine. By 2019–2022, the focus shifted markedly toward machine learning as a cross-cutting method, energy materials (perovskites, solar fuels, catalysis), and additive manufacturing — reflecting both the broader AI wave and a strategic pivot toward energy transition technologies. The drug development and solitons clusters in recent work also signal new frontier activities in life sciences and nonlinear photonics.

EPFL is converging toward AI-augmented energy and materials research, making them an increasingly strong partner for projects combining computational methods with clean energy or advanced manufacturing challenges.

How they like to work

EPFL splits almost evenly between coordinating (227 projects) and participating (240 projects), which is rare — most universities lean heavily one way. With 2,309 unique consortium partners across 66 countries, they operate as a major European research hub rather than clustering with a fixed set of allies. This means they bring an enormous contact network to any consortium, but partners should expect a professional, structured collaboration style typical of a large institution managing hundreds of concurrent projects.

EPFL has collaborated with 2,309 distinct organizations across 66 countries, making it one of the most connected institutions in H2020. As a Swiss institution with deep ties across the EU, their network spans from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean, with particularly strong representation in Western European research ecosystems.

What sets them apart

EPFL occupies a rare position as a non-EU institution (Switzerland) that nonetheless ranks among the top H2020 participants by both project count and funding volume — their EUR 361M in EC funding places them in elite company. Their combination of fundamental science depth (ERC, MSCA) with applied engineering capability (IA projects in manufacturing, energy, digital) means they can contribute at every stage from basic research to prototype. For consortium builders, EPFL adds both scientific credibility and a massive partner network that few single institutions can match.

Highlights from their portfolio

• EUROfusion
  Largest single EC contribution at EUR 33M — a flagship European fusion energy initiative where EPFL is a key participant
• EPFL Fellows
  EUR 3.4M MSCA fellowship programme coordinated by EPFL, demonstrating their role as a talent magnet for experienced researchers across Europe
• IntraMEMS
  Early-stage coordinator project combining microfluidics with tumor diagnostics — shows EPFL's capacity to lead at the intersection of engineering and medicine