# Lead Agency Procedure (DFG-SNF)

**Funder:** DFG and SNF
**Consortium:** Required — bi/trilateral research projects
**Frequency:** Continuous
**Eligible countries:** DE, CH
**Official call:** https://www.dfg.de/en/research-funding/funding-opportunities/countries-regions
**Last updated:** 8 Aug 2026

## Summary

The Lead Agency Procedure enables joint research projects between German (DFG) and Swiss (SNF) researchers, with one funder serving as the lead while the other provides parallel support. Applicants propose collaborative projects addressing shared research questions; each researcher applies to their own national funder on identical timelines. The procedure is open continuously, making it suitable for researchers who identify cross-border partnership opportunities.

## Who should apply

- Established researchers based at German universities or research institutes eligible to DFG funding
- Established researchers based at Swiss universities or research institutes eligible to SNF funding
- Teams with a demonstrated research partnership or clear complementary expertise
- Bi- or trilateral collaborative research projects with a shared research question

## Key dates

- Continuous call, apply at any time following DFG and SNF submission windows
- Parallel submission required to both DFG (German partner) and SNF (Swiss partner) on identical timelines

## Tips for applicants

- Coordinate your application timeline carefully; DFG and SNF accept proposals on rolling or annual schedules, and both funders must receive submissions simultaneously.
- Clarify which funder acts as 'lead' upfront, this affects review logistics and requires agreement between partners before submission.
- Build in explicit research synergies and task divisions that justify the cross-border partnership; generic colloborations score poorly.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I apply to the DFG-SNF Lead Agency Procedure as a single researcher?

No, the procedure requires bilateral (or trilateral) collaboration, at least one German team and one Swiss team applying in parallel to their respective funders.

### How does the DFG-SNF Lead Agency Procedure work?

Both the German and Swiss partners submit identical research proposals to their respective funders on the same deadline; each funder reviews and funds its own country's team independently but in coordination.

### What countries are eligible for the DFG-SNF Lead Agency Procedure?

German institutions eligible to DFG funding and Swiss institutions eligible to SNF funding can participate; trilateral projects including a third country partner may also be possible under specific conditions.

### When is the deadline for the DFG-SNF Lead Agency Procedure?

The call is continuous, but both partners must submit on aligned deadlines, check the current DFG and SNF calls for their respective submission windows.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/dfg-and-snf-lead-agency-procedure-dfg-snf-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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