# FAQ Answers to the most common questions about Fundament: onboarding, data migration, demos and technical requirements. ## General What Fundament is, who we build it for, and how getting started works. If you would rather see Fundament live, [arrange a call](/en/contact). ### How does onboarding at Fundament work? text text ### What is grant management software? Grant management software helps foundations receive, review, manage and answer applications digitally. In Fundament that means fewer emails and less spreadsheet work, and in their place a clear overview, defined steps and one digital dossier per application. ### Can I get a demo of Fundament? Yes. You can book a demo with [Daniel](/en/company/team), a member of the management team and our contact for clients, at any time. Simply pick [a slot](/en/contact) that suits you. ### What kind of organisation is Fundament built for? Fundament was built for and with funding organisations, from [foundations](/en/industries/institutions-non-profits) through smaller funding projects to [cantonal and federal funding programmes](/en/industries/government-offices-and-authorities). Organisations that are not classic funders can use Fundament too. As soon as data has to be collected, reviewed and managed through forms, Fundament helps to simplify the process and keep it clear. ### How long does it take until we can start? Onboarding usually takes one to three months. How long exactly depends on how much data is to be migrated, how many forms are needed and what you want adjusted in the portal. ### Can we bring existing applications, requests or projects into Fundament? Yes. Existing data can be migrated into Fundament automatically. Which data can be carried over, and how the migration runs, we work out together during onboarding. ### Can I use Fundament on Apple and Windows devices? Yes. Fundament is a web app for the desktop and runs on Mac and Windows in Safari, Chrome, Firefox and Edge. The current and the immediately preceding version of each browser are supported. ## Portal & forms What the applicant portal looks like, how many forms you can run in parallel, and how far both can be adapted to your organisation. The [Features](/en/products/app/features) page covers everything in detail. ### Can we run several forms in Fundament? Yes. Several [forms](/en/products/app/features) can run in Fundament at the same time, for example for different funding areas, calls or target groups. ### Can the forms be offered in several languages? Yes. [The entire portal](/en/products/app/features), including form questions, help texts and email templates, can be offered in several languages. ### Can the design be matched to our foundation? Yes. [The portal for applicants](/en/products/app/features) can be styled to match the look of your foundation or funding organisation. ### Do applicants need a password? No. Applicants sign in with a code sent to them by email. Two-factor authentication can be switched on in addition if you wish. ### Can applicants save a form and continue later? Yes. Drafts are kept. In multi-stage forms, later phases open up when their turn comes, for instance after a preliminary review. ### Which languages does the portal support? Forms, labels, help texts and email templates can be offered in German, French, Italian and English. Applicants choose their language themselves. ## Workspace & administration How your team works in the workspace: roles, access rights, and exporting your data. The [Fundament App](/en/products/app) page gives an overview of the application. ### Can different roles and access rights be assigned? Yes. Fundament lets you assign different [roles and access rights](/en/products/app/features), so you decide who may view, edit, assess or administer applications. Internal workflows, responsibilities and committee structures can be mapped to fit your organisation. ### Can we export our data ourselves? Yes. Data can be exported straight from the [application overview](/en/products/app), for example as CSV for import into other tools, as an Excel file or as a PDF. ### Can committees vote on applications directly in Fundament? Yes. You invite the committee and assign applications. Each voter sees only their own pile, personal details can be hidden, and anyone voting can give a reason. Turnout, average and distribution are then available as PDF or CSV. [More on voting](/en/products/app/features#voting) ### Can recurring steps be automated? Yes. An automation is a trigger, a condition and an action: a submission sends a confirmation email, a status change sends a reminder, a deadline notifies your team. No AI and no programming involved. ### Can we define our own application statuses? Yes. You define any number of stages, each with its own colour, such as «Under review», «Shortlist» or «Approved», and attach a checklist to each status, internal or visible to applicants. ### Can Fundament handle budgets and payments too? Yes, with the Finances module. You run any number of budgets per form, by year or by programme, in CHF, EUR or USD. The approved amount and its payments sit on the application itself, across several instalments if needed, and each budget shows its utilisation at all times. ## Contracts & data protection Membership, costs, and how your data is handled. Both are set out in binding form in our [privacy policy](/en/legal/privacy-policy) and the [Service Level Agreement](/en/legal/service-level-agreement). ### What am I committing to with a Fundament membership? Fundament offers [contracts](/en/legal/service-level-agreement) with a term of one or several years. With a multi-year contract you commit for the full term and pay a lower rate in return. ### Do we pay per user? No. Your whole team is included in the usage fee. There is no additional cost per user. ### Where is our data stored? All data stays in Switzerland. Fundament's entire infrastructure is hosted by Infomaniak, a Swiss provider with data centres in Switzerland. ### What availability and support does Fundament guarantee? The service level agreement guarantees an availability of 99 percent per year. Monthly maintenance windows of up to four hours, announced at least five working days ahead, do not count against it. Support is available Monday to Friday from 7:30 to 17:00, by phone for critical incidents and by email or ticket otherwise. Ten hours per year are included. [Read the service level agreement](/en/legal/service-level-agreement) ### Does Fundament analyse our data or train AI models with it? No. We do not mine it, sell it on or train models with your data. Our hosting provider commits to the same and has it audited independently. ### How is our data protected? All data is stored encrypted and backed up daily. The backups live on separate systems in geo-redundant data centres in Switzerland and are kept for at least seven days. Two-factor sign-in is available for your team, and every change to an application stays traceable in its history. ## Technology & features Ongoing development, interfaces, and AI features. The Integrations page shows which systems can be connected; the [Roadmap](/en/products/app/roadmap) shows what is coming next. ### Is Fundament developed further continuously? Yes. Fundament is [developed continuously](/en/products/app/roadmap). We improve existing workflows, add new functions and keep the technical foundation of the application up to date. ### Can specific functions be built for our organisation? Yes. When a specific function is needed, we work out the requirements together and check how they can sensibly be mapped in Fundament. Individual extensions are quoted transparently by effort, at an hourly rate of CHF 175 excl. VAT. ### Does Fundament connect to other software? Yes. Fundament can be connected to other systems where needed, for example to CRM solutions such as Salesforce. Which interfaces make sense we work out together, based on your existing processes. ### Does Fundament offer AI features? Yes. Fundament offers a range of [AI-supported functions](/en/products/ai/ai-deployment). These include smart funding forms that guide applicants as they fill them in. Applications can also be summarised in a few sentences for the funding organisation and categorised automatically. For these functions we use only AI models hosted in Switzerland and compatible with [Swiss data protection law](/en/legal/privacy-policy). ### Is there documentation and a system status page? Yes. The public manual describes every feature step by step, and the status page shows availability and planned maintenance. [Manual](https://docs.fundament-app.ch) · [Status](https://app.fundament-app.ch/status) ### Can we connect our own AI tools to Fundament? Yes. Through the MCP interface you can connect your own AI agents to your Fundament data. The built-in AI agent answers questions about applications, forms and people in natural language, based on your organisation and running on Swiss infrastructure.