About
The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF/SNSF) is Switzerland's leading research funding organization. It invests in researchers and their ideas, promoting outstanding research at universities and other institutions across all disciplines—from chemistry and medicine to sociology. The foundation supports thousands of research teams in creating knowledge for a better future and works with partners to shape Switzerland's research landscape. The SNF funds basic research and aims to foster scientific careers, international collaboration, open science, and equality, diversity and inclusion in research.
Funding Opportunities
Money follows Researcher
The Money follows Researcher process is aimed at researchers who move abroad and would like current SNSF funding to continue. In principle, a continuation of the project is possible in any country. The project can either continue in Switzerland while being managed from abroad or transferred to the new location. This supplementary measure allows researchers with active SNSF grants to maintain their funding when relocating internationally, ensuring continuity of their research work. The SNSF decides on a case-by-case basis how the funds can be used in Switzerland while the project is being managed from abroad, or whether they can be transferred in whole or in part to the new host institution. Applications are accepted year-round, and researchers must contact the unit responsible for their funding scheme before applying.
Mobility grants in projects
Mobility grants are aimed at doctoral students who wish to improve their scientific profile by going abroad while being employed in an ongoing SNSF research project. During the period spent abroad, the grantee will remain matriculated at the Swiss home institution and employed as a doctoral student in the SNSF-funded research project. A mobility grant can cover travel and living costs as well as fees for conferences and workshops of up to CHF 20,000. It is awarded for six to twelve months. If the applicant is to be accompanied by immediate family, up to CHF 5,000 per additional family member may be awarded. The stay abroad must take place within the time-frame of the research project funded by the SNSF, and applications must be submitted no later than two months before the start of the stay abroad. The stay must occur at a single research institution without interruption.
Gender Equality Grant
The Gender Equality Grant is a supplementary measure offered by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) to support female researchers in early career phases. Eligible researchers receive CHF 1,000 per 12 months of approved project running time. The grant is designed to finance career support measures tailored to the needs of women researchers, such as mentoring, coaching, courses, workshops, and participation in events that are conducive to networking. The grant does not cover family support measures. The gender equality grant is automatically available to eligible female researchers employed in SNSF-funded projects and career funding schemes, requiring no separate application. Doctoral and postdoctoral level women researchers, as well as women researchers at universities of applied sciences without a doctorate, are eligible. A work-time percentage of at least 60 percent funded by the SNSF is generally required, though doctoral students may be awarded the grant regardless of their work-time percentage. If project funds are available, they may be used to finance the grant; otherwise, a compensatory payment may be initiated in the final financial report.
Flexibility Grant
Flexibility grants are aimed at postdocs and doctoral students who have to look after children at an important stage in their career and are therefore in need of more flexibility. The Flexibility Grant offers researchers two options to balance their professional and private lives: on the one hand, it can provide funding to help cover the external child care costs charged to the researcher. On the other hand, it can be used to help finance the salary of a support person, allowing the grantee to reduce his/her work quota. The two measures can also be combined. This grant is available to researchers employed in SNSF-funded research projects who need external childcare on three working days per week and can cover at most one of the remaining two days themselves. Postdocs must have a work-time percentage of at least 80%, while doctoral students can apply irrespective of their work-time percentage. Holders of Ambizione, PRIMA, Postdoc.Mobility return grants and Doc.CH grants may also apply.
Open Access Book Publications
The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) provides funding for the publication of scientific books that are made available immediately, without restrictions and free of charge through gold open access. This funding scheme supports the dissemination of research results, whether they originate from SNSF-funded research or from other projects. The SNSF funds academic book publications in the form of monographs and edited volumes that have undergone a peer review process. Monographs include doctoral dissertations, habilitations, legal commentaries and editions. The book publications must have proven academic added value and be primarily aimed at an academic audience. The SNSF reimburses the publisher's services for quality assurance, book production and distribution through a book processing charge (BPC), covering up to 15,000 Swiss francs per book publication. Additional funding is available for particularly lengthy publications, elaborate layouts, audiovisual and interactive content, or foreign language proofreading. Applications can be submitted at any time via the online platform mySNF, with decisions typically provided within two months.
Agora
Agora supports communication projects that promote exchanges between science and society. The programme provides funding for researchers to engage in dialogue with the public and communicate research results through various communication methods. Projects must be developed and realised in collaboration with experts from communication, knowledge transfer, culture, media, and similar fields. The programme aims to convey fundamental scientific knowledge and foster dialogue between researchers and their target audiences. Two funding tracks are available: the Agora call for projects with budgets up to 200,000 Swiss francs submitted annually in autumn, and the Agora rolling call for projects up to 50,000 Swiss francs that can be submitted at any time with decisions within four months. Projects can span up to three years and must focus on research findings, scientific challenges, or the role of research itself, targeting audiences in Switzerland that are outside of academic teaching and research contexts.
Scientific Exchanges
The Scientific Exchanges funding scheme from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) provides financial support for scientific events in Switzerland and research visits between Swiss researchers and international colleagues. The types of scientific events covered include scientific conferences and workshops. Research visits by Swiss researchers to other countries or by researchers from abroad to Switzerland are funded for a period of 1 to 6 months. For scientific events, the scheme covers travel expenses, accommodation and meals of participants from abroad as well as certain costs of online or hybrid events. For research visits, the scheme covers the travel expenses, accommodation and meals of travelling guests.
One Health Antimicrobial Resistance (OHAMR): First Call for Proposals
The European Partnership on One Health Antimicrobial Resistance (EUP OHAMR) is launching its first transnational call within the focus area of providing innovative and cost-effective treatment options. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health challenge that affects human and animal health, food security and the environment. The programme brings together 53 organisations from 30 countries in the EU and beyond to address AMR challenges across sectors and One Health domains. Swiss-based researchers can participate on equal terms with teams from EU member states and other associated countries. The first call covers three main topics: (1) Identify and develop new combination treatments using existing or innovative antimicrobials or antimicrobial with adjunctive treatments to extend drug efficacy and combat resistance; (2) Develop tools and methods to improve adherence to treatment protocols; (3) Assess the impact of antimicrobials for veterinary and agricultural use on the risk of AMR transmission to humans and the environment to inform policies on the restriction of some antimicrobials for human use. The call follows a two-step submission process with pre-proposals due February 2, 2026 and full proposals due June 17, 2026. Applications must be submitted at both the central level (via the Joint Call Secretariat) and at the national level (Swiss partners must submit through SNSF's mySNF platform). Swiss partners must meet the SNSF's Project funding eligibility criteria to receive funding.
Solution-oriented Research for Development (SOR4D)
The SOR4D programme is a joint initiative of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). It supports transdisciplinary projects with solution-oriented approaches that contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and reducing poverty. The programme supports researchers from Switzerland in developing concrete innovative solutions for global challenges, together with researchers and practice partners from partner countries in the Global South. The programme is open to all disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, life sciences and health sciences. Proposals must explicitly target systemic solutions that simultaneously address several of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda. The call focuses on the topics of peace and good governance, human development, climate and environment, and sustainable economic development. The research phase lasts three or four years. Projects can also apply for additional funding with Transformation Accelerating Grants. A total of 22.4 million Swiss francs is available for the SOR4D programme. The project selection consists of a two-stage process with pre-proposals followed by full proposals.
Joint call with India in the field of One Health
As part of the federal government's bilateral programmes, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), together with the Indian Department of Biotechnology and the Indian Council of Medical Research, is launching a call for joint research projects (JRPs) in the field of One Health. This programme allows researchers in Switzerland to carry out joint research projects with partners in India. The call supports research projects that adopt the One Health approach, which focuses on the interconnected health of humans, animals and the environment. Up to ten projects of up to four years can be funded, with a maximum budget for the Swiss side of 400,000 francs per project. Interested researchers are invited to contact researchers in India in order to prepare a joint application.
SNSF Starting Grants 2026
The SNSF Starting Grants 2026 call is aimed at researchers interested in leading their own research project and team in Switzerland. These grants represent the SNSF's highest level of career funding. The call will be launched on 1 February 2026 and is open to all disciplines and research topics. Applicants must have several years of research experience following the completion of their doctorate, equivalent qualification or medical degree. However, individuals who have already achieved the objective of this call are not eligible. Applicants must also have a link with Switzerland. For applicants who need to finance their own salary, the grant will comprise the project funds (max. 1 million francs) in addition to their salary. For applicants whose salary is already secured, the grant will cover the project funds (max. 1 million francs). Applications for an SNSF Starting Grant 2026 will, for the first time, be submitted in full via the SNSF Portal. Applicants whose project was rejected in a previous SNSF Starting Grants call may submit a second application regardless of the topic and evaluation of the first project. Parallel submission of the same or a similar project to funding schemes that are not funded by the SNSF is permitted. These include, for example, the ERC Starting Grants. However, double funding for thematically similar projects is not allowed. This restriction already applies while the SNSF evaluation process is in progress: If a similar project receives a positive decision from another funding scheme during this period, applicants must choose between accepting the funding offer or continuing with the SNSF evaluation.
Belmont Forum Ocean 2 Call for Proposals
The Belmont Forum Ocean 2 call aims to coordinate actions and projects to address global environmental challenges related to oceans, their high biodiversity, habitats and ecosystems. The call prioritises three main thematic areas: biodiversity conservation and nature-based solutions, ocean-biodiversity-climate integration, and nature futures, ocean governance and ethics for sustainability. This call seeks to integrate multilateral and collaborative approaches while strengthening the link between societal needs and science and technology. The research must take into account differences between ocean basins, cultural diversity, regional and local specificities, and distinct financial models. By strengthening the science-policy-society interface, the call seeks to foster evidence-based policymaking, improve multi-level and cross-sectoral societal cooperation in ocean governance, and support the effective implementation of solutions for ocean biodiversity and sustainability globally.
BRIDGE Discovery
BRIDGE Discovery is a funding scheme jointly launched by Innosuisse and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) aimed at experienced researchers from all disciplines who wish to realise an innovation with great social or economic impact. The funding scheme enables researchers to submit proposals individually or as part of a consortium of up to three researchers. Projects must be characterised by scientific excellence and a clear vision of a future application. BRIDGE Discovery funds projects for up to four years, covering salaries of project employees and research costs directly linked to the project. This is the tenth call for proposals under this funding scheme, with submissions opening through the mySNF platform.
JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026
The JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships programme enables researchers in Switzerland to conduct postdoctoral research stays in Japan for 12 to 24 months. The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) acts as the nomination body for these fellowships offered by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). In 2026, the SNSF can propose two researchers to the JSPS for consideration. Researchers must be based at a Swiss research institution at the moment of submission. After evaluation by the SNSF, the JSPS will evaluate the nominated applications and inform candidates about funding decisions by summer 2026. Selected researchers must commence their stays at the latest on 30 November 2026.
Water4All 2025 Joint Transnational Call
The Water4All 2025 Joint Transnational Call focuses on addressing critical challenges related to water quality, contaminants and health – both human and environmental using a One Health approach. The call supports research proposals that advance knowledge, develop innovative solutions and support decision-making for sustainable water management in relation to human health protection. Interdisciplinary and multi-sectoral approaches are encouraged, including collaboration between environmental scientists, engineers, health experts and policymakers. Proposals on water treatment technologies must integrate health aspects and include risk mitigation measures. An international panel will scientifically evaluate the pre-proposals and full proposals, with all research partners in a consortium supported by their own national or regional funding agency. Swiss-based researchers can participate with support from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) if they meet the eligibility requirements for SNSF project funding.
Joint Call with India in the Field of Social Sciences
As part of the bilateral programmes with India, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) are launching a call for proposals in the field of social sciences. This call for joint research projects (JRPs) allows researchers in Switzerland to collaborate with academic partners in India. The proposed topics include digital governance, AI ethics and the social impact of AI; inequality, justice, and inclusion; mobility and social integration; and economic transformation. The SNSF will cover the costs of projects in Switzerland, while the ICSSR will fund the costs of projects in India. The duration of the JRPs is exactly three years, and the maximum funding for a three-year project is 300,000 Swiss francs. The budget available for this call will enable 10 projects to be funded, provided that a sufficient number of high-quality projects are submitted.
Joint call with India for geoscientific research on mountain hazards
As part of the bilateral programmes with India, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the Indian Ministry of Earth Science (MoES) are launching a call on the topic of geoscientific research on hazards in mountain regions. This call for joint research projects (JRPs) allows researchers in Switzerland to collaborate with academic partners in India. The general theme of the call is geoscientific research on hazards in mountain regions. Projects must relate to one of the following sub-themes: Extreme events, Flooding, Landslides, Cryosphere related hazards - permafrost, Earthquakes, and Forest fires. The SNSF will cover the costs of projects in Switzerland, while the MoES will fund the costs of projects in India. The duration of the JRPs is three to four years. The maximum funding for a three-year project is 300,000 Swiss francs and 400,000 Swiss francs for a four-year project. The budget available for this call will enable 10 projects to be funded, provided that a sufficient number of high-quality projects are submitted.
Project Funding
The project funding scheme enables qualified researchers to independently carry out projects on topics and research objectives of their own choosing. Researchers can apply for funding to cover research costs and staff salaries as well as expenses related to scientific cooperation, networking and communication; however, they cannot apply for their own salaries. This funding opportunity is designed to support independent research across various disciplines including Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH), Mathematics, Information Technology, Natural Sciences, Technology (MINT), Life Sciences, and Interdisciplinary Research. The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) provides this flexible funding mechanism to advance scientific research in Switzerland.
Southeast Asia – Europe Joint Funding Scheme (10th Call)
The Southeast Asia – Europe Joint Funding Scheme (JFS) has launched its 10th call for multilateral research and innovation projects involving researchers based in Southeast Asia and Europe. Since 2017, the JFS has implemented joint calls to fund bi-regional, multilateral research and innovation projects on topics of mutual interest to participating national or local funding agencies from both regions. The aim is to pool resources multilaterally to promote collaborative research projects. Swiss-based researchers from all disciplines can apply through the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) if their projects fall under one of two subject areas: Topic 1 focuses on New Materials and Green Transition, while Topic 2 addresses Climate-Resilient, Smart Agriculture using AI and IoT (Internet of Things). Each consortium must include at least three partners from three different countries, with at least one partner based in Southeast Asia. Swiss-based researchers applying for SNSF support must meet the eligibility requirements for SNSF Project funding and are strongly advised to consult the guidelines of the Swiss Alliance for Global Research Partnerships (GRP-Alliance). Applicants will need to submit the full proposal through both the JFS's platform PT Outline and the SNSF's mySNF system. All research partners in a consortium are supported by their own national or regional funding agency, except for self-financed partners.
Belmont Forum Resilience Call: Vulnerability and Resilience Management for Socio-Environmental Systems in Exposed Territories
The Belmont Forum Resilience call aims to promote transdisciplinary research on managing the vulnerability and resilience of socio-environmental systems in exposed territories. Inspired by the recent Covid-19 pandemic, the call aims to define and promote innovative risk management concepts that take into account global change and the evolution of human-nature interactions in addressing the increase in environmental risks. This must involve the development of risk science in line with sustainability science, the encouragement of knowledge co-production, the provision of information to governments and a focus on vulnerable areas. Research consortia must be transdisciplinary and include researchers from the social sciences/humanities/economics, the natural sciences/physics/engineering, and societal partners using a participatory, co-design, co-development and co-implementation approach. Applications must relate to at least two themes: better assess risks of increasing complexity with global change, pay specific attention to exacerbated vulnerabilities in highly exposed territories, or develop innovative solutions for disaster risk reduction.
Latsis Swiss Science Prize
The Latsis Swiss Science Prize is awarded annually by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) on behalf of the Latsis International Foundation to outstanding researchers in Switzerland. The prize honours researchers with an academic age of no more than ten years for their excellent work in basic research. The award alternates yearly between three research domains: humanities and social sciences; mathematics, natural sciences and engineering; and biology and medicine. In 2026, the prize will be awarded to a researcher in the fields of mathematics, natural and engineering sciences (excluding life sciences). The laureate will receive 100,000 Swiss francs in recognition of their outstanding contributions to basic research. Researchers and research institutions can directly nominate potential prizewinners, and the Programme Committee Careers of the SNSF Research Council selects the laureate.
Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP) - European Call 2025
The Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP) is a transnational initiative designed to boost the clean energy transition across Europe and beyond. By aligning national strategies with European priorities, the CETP helps develop and deploy innovative solutions to tackle significant energy system challenges, ranging from technological breakthroughs to system integration and policy frameworks. The CETP plays a key role in supporting the EU's Strategic Energy Technology Plan and helps achieve the overall objective of making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Through annual joint calls (2022–2027), the CETP funds transnational projects that deliver high-impact outcomes in research, innovation and system transformation. Swiss-based applicants can join research consortia under the same conditions as those in EU member states and other participating countries through the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) participation.
BrainHealth Partnership: Call for Proposals
The European BrainHealth Partnership is launching a call for multinational, translational research projects aimed at improving brain health, with a focus on neurological, mental and sensory disorders. Brain disorders are a major global cause of disability and mortality, posing profound challenges for those affected as well as for their families, communities, and caregivers. The European Partnership for Brain Health (EP BrainHealth) brings together 54 partners from 33 countries with the common goal to improve brain health for all by developing scientific knowledge as a foundation to promote lifelong brain health, to prevent and to cure brain diseases, and to improve the wellbeing of people living with neurological and mental disorders in Europe and beyond. Applications must be interdisciplinary and address at least two of three factors impacting brain health trajectories: biological factors, lifestyle and social factors, and environmental factors. Applications must also investigate at least two aspects including mechanisms of action, early recognition/diagnosis/prognosis, and prevention/treatments/interventions. The call emphasizes outcomes benefiting quality of life for patients and carers, and encourages focus on disability, gender, ethical, cultural and socio-economic aspects.
International Joint Initiative for Research Harnessing Disruptive Technologies to Address Global Challenges
The International Joint Initiative for Research Harnessing Disruptive Technologies to Address Global Challenges is part of the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF), an international funding programme coordinated by Canada. This call promotes interdisciplinary research projects based on transformative technologies that make a recognizable contribution to at least one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the United Nations. Projects can focus on a technology's development or implementation or deal with the social or economic impact of disruptive technologies. All projects must be interdisciplinary in nature and involve at least two different disciplines. The project team must be eligible to apply to at least three participating funding organisations, with at least three applicants, one of whom must be eligible for NFRF funding. The call involves a three-stage procedure starting with a notice of intent submission to the NFRF by 3 March 2026. For both the letter of intent and the full proposal, parallel submissions must be made to the SNSF and to the NFRF. This international collaboration brings together multiple funding organizations to support groundbreaking research that addresses global challenges through innovative technological solutions.
International Co-Investigator Scheme
The International Co-Investigator Scheme provides funding for cross-border research projects which include a subproject abroad. This funding scheme is aimed at researchers in Switzerland whose project includes a subproject in partner countries. The SNSF or partner agency evaluates and finances both the project and subproject. The agreement with Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands covers all disciplines, while the agreement with the UK is limited to the humanities and social sciences. The usual submission deadlines are 1 April and 1 October, and only one application may be submitted per deadline. The SNSF evaluates the International Co-Investigator applications together with regular project funding applications, without any involvement of the foreign funding agency (single evaluation). As a grant holder, you are also accountable to the SNSF for the scientific and financial part abroad. With the International Co-Investigator Scheme, researchers can use up to 50 per cent of the budget requested from the SNSF for applicants in Denmark, Norway, Sweden or the Netherlands. For projects in the humanities and social sciences with the UK, subprojects in the UK must not exceed 30 per cent of the overall budget. This is a project funding scheme, and the requirements set out in the Project Funding Regulations apply to international co-applicants, including having a minimum of 50 per cent (0.5 FTE) employment in the country concerned. Overhead contributions cannot be applied for separately as they are calculated on the basis of total research funding and paid directly to the applicant's institution yearly.
At a Glance
- Total Funding Opportunities
- 28
- Active Now
- 25
- Source Domain
- snf.ch
Catalog Data
This funder profile was automatically extracted from grant listings. Information may be incomplete.
Visit official website