Legal Guidelines for Space Exploration Science Grants Program

Introduction
The following document presents the Legal Guidelines (thereafter Guidelines) of the CHiwi Foundation (thereafter CHiwi or Foundation), establishing the legal framework and compliance requirements governing  relationships with the Foundation. The Guidelines serve as a foundational document to ensure that all activities undertaken by the Foundation, its employees, researchers, grant recipients, and collaborators align with applicable laws and international regulations.
Unlike Terms & Conditions (T&C), which establish a contractual agreement between a service provider and the parties, Legal Guidelines ensure transparency, accountability, and adherence to legal standards while fostering innovation in advanced mathematics, alternative energy, and space exploration.
This document is structured to cover main areas, including governance and compliance, intellectual property rights, funding regulations, data protection, research guidelines, and dispute resolution. It is intended to guide all stakeholders involved in the foundation’s initiatives and ensure that their activities align with both national and international legal obligations.
By establishing these Guidelines, the CHiwi Foundation upholds its commitment to lawful practices while supporting high-impact scientific research worldwide.

I. General Provisions
a. Purpose and Scope
The purpose of the Legal Guidelines is to establish the legal framework governing the Call For Proposals (thereafter CFP or Call) under the Space Exploration Science Grants Program (thereafter Space Grant Program). These Guidelines apply specifically to this program and do not govern other activities of the foundation. The CHiwi Foundation ("CHiwi") is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing research, education, and innovation in the fields of advanced mathematics, alternative energy, and space exploration. The Guidelines outline the principles, rules, and obligations that apply to all individuals and entities engaging with CHiwi in the context of the Space Grant Program, including but not limited to grant applicants, research partners, donors, and volunteers.
The Guidelines apply to all CHiwi operations related to Calls For Proposals, conducted in Switzerland and abroad. They cover matters including compliance with applicable laws and regulations, grant application and disbursement procedures, intellectual property rights, data confidentiality, and dispute resolution mechanisms. The Guidelines are intended to ensure transparency, accountability, and adherence to the highest legal and professional standards in all CHiwi activities.
By engaging with CHiwi in any capacity, individuals and entities agree to comply with these Guidelines, as well as any additional policies and procedures that CHiwi may establish to govern specific programs and initiatives.

b. Legal Framework
CHiwi operates exclusively under the legal framework of Swiss law. All activities, agreements, and engagements with CHiwi shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Switzerland. The Guidelines are drafted and enforced solely under Swiss legal principles and regulatory authorities and do not incorporate or recognize foreign legal frameworks unless explicitly required or permitted by Swiss law.
If there is a conflict of legal requirements between Swiss law and the laws of another jurisdiction, CHiwi shall not be held responsible for such discrepancies. CHiwi is solely accountable for adhering to Swiss legal provisions and does not assume liability for compliance with any foreign legal frameworks unless explicitly mandated by Swiss law.
For matters related to dispute resolution, refer to the separate Dispute Resolution section of these Guidelines.

c. Responsibility Framework
All individuals and entities engaging with CHiwi, including, but not limited to, grant applicants, recipients, research partners, collaborators, and donors, are solely responsible for complying with all applicable legal, financial, regulatory, and institutional obligations. CHiwi assumes no liability for any actions, omissions, representations, or consequences, direct or indirect, arising from such engagements. Responsibility for due diligence, risk assessment, and compliance rests entirely with the stakeholder.

II. Legal Considerations
CHiwi is committed to maintaining the highest legal and professional standards in all its activities, ensuring that its grant-making process and research support initiatives are conducted with integrity, law abiding, and fairness. All applications will be treated in accordance with professional standards, with decisions communicated clearly and all considerations addressed throughout the evaluation process. CHiwi upholds a strong commitment to equal opportunity and non-discrimination, evaluating all applications solely on merit, scientific value, and alignment with its mission.

a. Non-Enforceability
While CHiwi is firmly committed to the principles of integrity, fairness, and non-discrimination, these statements reflect CHiwi’s commitments and internal policies. They do not create any contractual rights or entitlements, nor shall they be construed as legally binding obligations enforceable in any court of law or legal proceeding. CHiwi’s decisions regarding grant applications and related matters are final and not subject to legal appeal or judicial review.

III. Data Confidentiality
CHiwi acknowledges the importance of data confidentiality and is committed to treating all information received from applicants, grant recipients, and partners with full awareness of its sensitive nature. CHiwi will handle all data in accordance with Swiss data protection laws and best practices, ensuring that information is used solely for the purposes for which it was provided.
While CHiwi takes appropriate measures to safeguard confidential information, it does not assume liability for any unauthorized access, data breaches, or third-party misuse beyond its reasonable control. Applicants and recipients are responsible for ensuring that any confidential or sensitive data shared with CHiwi complies with applicable legal and security requirements. CHiwi will not disclose or share personal or project-related data with unauthorized parties unless required by law or with the explicit consent of the concerned party, or when such disclosure is made to individuals or entities involved in the evaluation or administration of the process, in accordance with the need-to-know principle and for purposes CHiwi deems necessary.

IV. Intellectual Property Rights
CHiwi does not claim any intellectual property (IP) rights over the work, research, or innovations produced by grant recipients, research partners, or any other stakeholders. All intellectual property generated as a result of projects funded by CHiwi remains the sole property of the respective individuals or entities.
CHiwi assumes no responsibility for the management, protection, enforcement, or commercialization of any intellectual property. It is the sole responsibility of the recipients to secure, register, or enforce their IP rights in accordance with applicable laws. Any disputes, claims, or liabilities related to intellectual property, including infringement, licensing, or third-party claims, are the sole responsibility of the concerned parties, and CHiwi will not be involved in any such matters.
By accepting grants or engaging in research funded by CHiwi, recipients acknowledge that they bear full responsibility for any intellectual property considerations, including compliance with relevant legal frameworks and agreements governing IP rights.

V. Funding and Grant Guidelines
CHiwi provides funding exclusively in the form of grants to advance research, education, and innovation in its areas of focus. Grants are awarded based on merit, feasibility, and alignment with CHiwi’s mission. Funding decisions are made at the sole discretion of CHiwi and are subject to the availability of resources.

• Application and Evaluation: Grant applicants must submit detailed proposals that outline their research objectives, methodology, budget, and expected outcomes. The evaluation process is conducted with fairness, and funding is awarded based on the project’s scientific or innovative value.

Recipients are responsible for ensuring that all information provided to CHiwi is accurate, complete, and kept up to date.
Submission of an application or proposal does not create any obligation on CHiwi’s part to provide funding. CHiwi reserves the sole discretion to approve, decline, or terminate support at any time, for any reason.

• Use of Funds: Grant recipients bear full responsibility for the appropriate allocation and management of funds.
• Financial and Legal Accountability: CHiwi assumes no liability for any financial, legal, or regulatory obligations arising from grant funding. All tax implications, reporting duties, and regulatory compliance remain the sole responsibility of the recipient.
• No Obligation for Future Support: CHiwi does not guarantee continued funding beyond the awarded grant period, nor does it guarantee funding for other projects submitted by the recipient outside the Call for Proposals program or in future application rounds. Each grant is awarded independently and is subject to a separate review and approval process.
• Compliance with Terms: Recipients are required to adhere to the agreed-upon terms and conditions of the grant. Non-compliance may result in the suspension or revocation of funding at CHiwi’s sole discretion.
• Anti-Corruption and Bribery: CHiwi maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy toward all forms of corruption, bribery or any form of pressure or influence. Under no circumstances shall any individual or organization attempt to offer, solicit, or accept any form of bribe, kickback, or improper advantage in connection with CHiwi’s grant-making, partnerships, or operational activities. Any such conduct will result in immediate disqualification from current and future engagement with CHiwi and may be reported to relevant legal authorities. All stakeholders are expected to act with integrity, transparency, and in full compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws.

CHiwi disclaims any liability for how grant funds are used once awarded and does not assume responsibility for any financial, operational, or legal matters arising from the recipient’s activities. CHiwi reserves the right to modify its funding policies at any time.

VI. Contracts and Agreements
All formal engagements with CHiwi, including but not limited to grant allocations, research partnerships, and service agreements, shall be governed by legally binding contracts.
a. Contractual Autonomy
CHiwi retains full discretion in determining the terms and conditions of any agreement it enters into. The execution of a contract does not create any obligation for continued funding, partnership, or further engagement beyond the agreed-upon terms.
b. Contract Legal Status
The execution of a contract does not establish a joint venture, partnership, employment relationship, or agency status between CHiwi and any third party. Each party remains legally independent and solely responsible for its actions.
c. Contractual Liability
CHiwi shall not be held responsible for any obligations, risks, or liabilities beyond the explicit terms stated in the contract. Any external risks, legal disputes, or financial burdens arising from a recipient’s or partner’s activities remain their sole responsibility.
d. Adherence to Terms
All parties entering agreements with CHiwi must strictly adhere to the contractual terms. Failure to comply may result in termination, withdrawal of funding, or legal action where applicable.
e. Modification and Termination
Contracts may only be modified in writing with the explicit agreement of both parties. CHiwi reserves the right to terminate an agreement if the counterparty fails to fulfill its obligations, or violates legal or regulatory requirements.

VII. Liability and Indemnification
a. Exclusion of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, CHiwi, its directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates, and representatives shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, or punitive damages, including but not limited to:

• Loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities;
• Legal or regulatory non-compliance by grant recipients, partners, or third parties;
• Intellectual property disputes, including infringement, licensing issues, or misappropriation of trade secrets;
• Tax liabilities, financial mismanagement, or improper use of funds by recipients;
• Breach of contract, fiduciary duty, or any implied obligation;
• Personal injury, reputational damage, or loss of goodwill arising from funded research or collaborations;
• Any act, omission, negligence, or willful misconduct by third parties engaged by recipients or stakeholders.
• Any reliance on statements, announcements, or representations made by CHiwi through social media, websites, or other public communications that are not expressly identified as legally binding.

b. Indemnification
By engaging with CHiwi, all recipients, partners, contractors, and any other stakeholders agree to fully indemnify, defend, and hold harmless CHiwi, its directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates, and representatives from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including attorneys' fees) arising from:

• Any breach of these Legal Guidelines or contractual obligations;
• Any misrepresentation, fraud, or unlawful conduct by recipients or third parties associated with them;
• Non-compliance with applicable laws, regulations, or policies in any jurisdiction;
• Intellectual property disputes, including third-party claims of infringement or unauthorized use;
• Data breaches, cybersecurity incidents, or privacy violations committed by recipients;
• Any misuse, mismanagement, or unauthorized use of funds granted by CHiwi;
• Any damages, losses, or liabilities incurred due to research outcomes, commercialization failures, or violations of applicable laws or regulations.

c. No Warranties or Guarantees
CHiwi makes no representations, warranties, or guarantees of any kind, express or implied, regarding:

• The success, validity, or viability of funded projects;
• The accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any data, findings, or research outcomes;
• The compliance of recipients with legal and regulatory obligations;
• The financial stability or continued funding availability for recipients beyond their awarded grant.

All recipients, partners, and other stakeholders acknowledge and accept that they engage with CHiwi at their own risk, and CHiwi shall bear no liability for any adverse consequences arising from their engagement.
CHiwi reserves the right to amend, modify, or revoke these terms at its sole discretion without prior notice. Any such changes shall be effective immediately upon publication.

VIII. Dispute Resolution
In the event of any dispute, claim, or controversy arising from or related to the engagement with CHiwi, the following dispute resolution mechanisms shall apply. By engaging with CHiwi all parties acknowledge and accept that these dispute resolution mechanisms are the sole and exclusive means for resolving disputes related to CHiwi’s activities.
a. Good Faith Negotiations
Parties shall first attempt to resolve disputes amicably through good faith negotiations.
b. Mediation
If negotiations fail, disputes shall be referred to mediation conducted in Switzerland by a neutral third party agreed upon by the parties.
c. Arbitration
If mediation does not resolve the dispute, it shall be settled by binding arbitration in accordance with Swiss law and the dispute resolution clause outlined in the respective contract.

IX. Final Provisions
a. Amendments
CHiwi reserves the right to modify, update, or amend these Legal Guidelines at its sole discretion at any time, without prior notice. It is the responsibility of applicants and stakeholders to remain informed of the current version of the Guidelines as published on CHiwi’s official website.
b. Severability
If any provision of the Guidelines is found to be invalid or unenforceable under applicable law, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
c. No Waiver
The failure of CHiwi to enforce any provision of the Guidelines shall not constitute a waiver of its rights to do so in the future.
d. Governing Law
The Guidelines shall be governed exclusively by Swiss law.
e. Entire Agreement
These Guidelines, along with any applicable contracts, policies, or additional agreements, constitute the entire understanding between CHiwi and stakeholders, superseding all prior communications or understandings.