Dalle Molle Foundation for Quality of Life

The Dalle Molle Foundation for Quality of Life is pleased to announce the winners of the Label 2026 Competition.

Following the redesign of its website and increased outreach activities, the Foundation received an exceptional 32 high-quality project submissions, nearly three times the number received in previous years.

2026 Award Winners

Upon recommendation of the jury chaired by Agathe Chevalier, the Foundation selected the following award-winning projects.

First Prize (CHF 10,000)

Talking Pictures for Seniors: Image-Based Communication for Dignified and Understandable Healthcare

Talking Pictures introduces a new form of communication in healthcare through a language-independent visual interface between patients and healthcare professionals. By combining images, translation tools and digital technology, the solution facilitates communication even in situations involving cognitive or language-related difficulties.

Distinction Awards (CHF 5,000 each)

Project Harbour – Building Confidence in Every Conversation

Project Harbour directly addresses social exclusion, professional marginalization, and psychological distress caused by communication difficulties. Through accessible, confidential, and evidence-based conversation training, it enables individuals to participate more fully in society.

AI-Powered Detection and At-Home Monitoring of NREM Parasomnias

This project aims to improve the diagnosis of parasomnias through an artificial intelligence-based system capable of automatically detecting episodes during multi-night home recordings. This innovative approach could significantly increase diagnostic accuracy for patients whose symptoms may otherwise remain undetected.

Award Ceremony

The 16th Dalle Molle Label Award Ceremony will take place on 12 November 2026 at 5:00 PM at the Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH), Room E103, Bern.

All readers are warmly invited to attend. Please confirm your participation by email at hc.ellomellad@sruocnoc.

The Dalle Molle Foundation for Quality of Life paid a warm tribute to Hervé Bourlard during a ceremony held on 17 July 2026 at Idiap. This significant event brought together members of the Foundation’s Board, the institute’s staff, and scientific and institutional partners.
During his speech, President Jean Pierre Rausis reflected on the unusual circumstances surrounding Hervé Bourlard’s appointment as director of Idiap in 1996. At that time, the institute was going through a difficult period: the departure of its first director, unsuccessful searches for a successor, interim leadership, and complex negotiations to establish its own legal status.
“The foundation’s expectations of a new director were immense and indeed decisive for the Institute’s future. ”
Hervé Bourlard rose to this challenge with remarkable success. Under his leadership, Idiap grew from a small team of around ten researchers into a centre of excellence of international standing, now recognised for its major contributions to artificial intelligence, computer vision and speech processing.

In addition to his 30 years as director, Hervé Bourlard has also made a decisive contribution to the Dalle Molle Foundation’s Board: serving on selection panels, overhauling the website, establishing the alumni network, and, above all, launching the strategic project for the Certified AI Applications scheme, designed to strengthen cooperation between the institutes established by the Foundation (Idiap, IDSIA, ISSCO) and to enhance their scientific visibility.
“Hervé Bourlard’s exceptional commitment has had a profound impact on the scientific, technological and economic development of the canton.”
To mark this occasion, the Foundation presented Hervé Bourlard with a sculpture symbolising its recognition of his work and his visionary commitment.
The Dalle Molle Foundation expresses its deep gratitude to Hervé Bourlard and to Nadine for their vital contribution to a human and scientific endeavour that has left a lasting mark on the landscape of research in Switzerland.