# DFG-SNF Lead Agency Procedure (Switzerland)

**Funder:** DFG
**Consortium:** Required — bilateral (Germany + Switzerland)
**Frequency:** Continuous
**Eligible countries:** DE, CH
**Official call:** https://www.dfg.de/en/research-funding/funding-opportunities/countries-regions
**Last verified:** 18 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Bilateral research projects between researchers at German and Swiss institutes, facilitated through the Lead Agency Procedure between DFG and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF). Funding proposals can be submitted at any time under the mutual opening agreement.

## Summary

The DFG-SNF Lead Agency Procedure funds bilateral research projects between researchers at German and Swiss institutions, with proposals submitted once to a single lead funder (DFG or SNF) at any time. This continuous call streamlines cross-border funding for collaborations in all research fields, eliminating duplicate applications. The scheme is open to both established and early-career researchers, provided both partners hold positions in eligible institutions.

## Who should apply

- German researchers at DFG-eligible institutions seeking a Swiss collaborative partner
- Swiss researchers at SNF-eligible institutions partnering with a German group
- Researchers in all disciplines planning truly bilateral (not hierarchical) projects
- Teams aligned on a shared research question and authorship model

## Key dates

- Rolling submission, no fixed deadline; proposals accepted at any time
- Single application routed to the Lead Agency (DFG or SNF, agreed by partners beforehand)
- Project duration set per proposal, typically 3-4 years for fundamental research

## Tips for applicants

- Designate the Lead Agency before writing: choose DFG if the Principal Investigator is German-based, SNF if Swiss-based, to avoid re-review.
- Budget and timeline must be justified separately for each country's costs; the Lead Agency will forward to its partner for parallel assessment.
- Align with both funder's current priority areas (check DFG and SNF websites); a project strong for one funder may signal weak fit to the other.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I submit a DFG-SNF Lead Agency proposal whenever I want?

Yes, the call is open for continuous submission at any time; there are no fixed deadlines.

### Do I apply to DFG and SNF separately or once?

You submit once to the Lead Agency (DFG or SNF) designated by you and your partner beforehand; that funder forwards your proposal to the other for parallel review.

### Who can apply to the DFG-SNF Lead Agency Procedure?

Researchers at DFG-eligible German institutions and SNF-eligible Swiss institutions working on a shared bilateral project.

### Is a consortium partnership mandatory?

Yes, the DFG-SNF procedure requires a bilateral partnership between a German and Swiss research group; solo applications are not eligible.

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

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