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Sustainable Information Technology Enter your project for the Impact Award!

The Lucerne School of Computer Science and Information Technology awards its inaugural Impact Award for sustainability. Starting in the 2025/26 study year, it will honor each a sustainable bachelor’s and master's thesis. Enter your thesis and win a CHF 1,000 cash prize. 

 

Information Technology can be a driver of real change: through algorithms steering renewables, AI-supported diagnostics in the health sector, or apps that promote social justice. Does your thesis fit the bill? Then we want to see it.

Some examples of sustainable thesis projects 

New app helps with postpartum depression (in German)

The birth of a child is considered one of the most beautiful moments in a person’s life. However, 20% of mothers and 10% of fathers in Switzerland experience postpartum depression. Two students have developed an app to support them. 

Go out and play-gaming meets biodiversity (in German)

Sandro Ulrich wants to excite Gen Z about nature with a localized smartphone game. His Master’s in Digital Ideation gives him the tools to make it happen.

Teaching a coffee machine to save energy (in German)

Companies benefit from projects with student involvement: For his bachelor's thesis, Andrin Meier developed an intelligent standby mode for Thermoplan AG, helping to save energy in the future.

Bergrestaurant Wildspitz

Energie sparen mit KI

Wie lässt sich Energie intelligenter nutzen? HSLU-Student Ramon Stoffel hat in seiner Bachelorarbeit ein System entwickelt, das mithilfe von Reinforcement Learning den Energieverbrauch eines Bergrestaurants optimiert – und zeigt, wie KI echten Mehrwert für Nachhaltigkeit und Wirtschaft schaffen kann.

Who can apply?

Learn more about how to participate here

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You can apply if your Bachelor's or Master's thesis makes a demonstrable contribution to sustainable development — for example by addressing one or more of the 17 SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).

Your thesis must also meet the following requirements:

• It was completed in the Autumn Semester 2025 or Spring Semester 2026.
• It is classified as public and can be presented.
• You have received a grade of at least 5.0 or a recommendation from your supervisor — if your grade is not yet available, you can indicate the expected date in the submission form.

How we evaluate submissions

Learn how the adjudicating panel decides here

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The jury consists of experts in sustainability and lecturers from HSLU. They assess your thesis across four criteria:

• Contribution to sustainable development (SDGs) – Does your thesis address one or more SDGs in a clear and substantiated way?
• Impact and effect – What concrete positive outcomes does your work have — ecologically, socially, or economically?
• Innovation – Is your approach original and forward-looking compared to existing solutions?
• Practical applicability – Can your solution realistically be applied in the real world, and are the results scalable or transferable?

 

What are the SDGs?

Learn more about the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) here.

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The SDGs are 17 goals for a better and fairer world. They were set by the United Nations. By 2030, they should help make the world more sustainable – for all people and the environment.

A few examples:

  • No poverty: Everyone should have enough to live on
  • Good health and well-being: Access to medical care for all
  • Affordable and clean energy: Electricity from wind, solar, or water
  • Climate action: Less CO₂ and better protection of nature
  • Gender equality: Women and men have the same opportunities
  • Quality education: Everyone should be able to learn

Information technology can help with many of these goals—for example, with apps, AI, software, or data analysis. 

Prize Money:

We award two CHF 1,000 cash prizes 
- one for a bachelor's thesis  
- one for a master's thesis

Award ceremony 

We award the prizes in the framework of the graduation ceremony in summer 2026.

Note the deadlines: 

13 February 2026 (for the 2025 fall semester)  
5 June 2026 (for the 2026 spring semester)  

Any questions?

Ask us at:
impact@hslu.ch

Enter your thesis now!

Impact Program: Your idea, your impact! 

Do you have a sustainable project but need more help? The Impact Program provides support to students and employees through advice and funding to get sustainable ideas off the ground. Get up to CHF 5,000 in funding for your project! 

Learn more and apply