SNSF: open calls

SNSF Postdoc.Mobility funds researchers with a strong link to Switzerland (Swiss degree or research at a Swiss institution) to do a postdoc abroad, with an optional funded return phase to Switzerland. Outgoing-mobility scheme.

For researchers with a completed doctorate (or within 6 months of defence) wishing to conduct a research stay abroad. Applicants must be Swiss nationals, hold a Swiss C-permit, or be married/partnered to a Swiss national; OR hold a Swiss doctorate/state exam and have had no prior postdoctoral position abroad. Host institution must be outside Switzerland. Subsistence grant, travel flat-rate, and optional research/conference costs included.

Part of SNSF Project Funding (Weave/Lead Agency). South African partner must be affiliated with a recognised public higher education or research institution in South Africa. Proposals must be submitted in English. Max 2 simultaneous project funding grants per applicant; at most one may be a Weave/Lead Agency project. Project must start on the same date in both countries; max duration 36 months.

Bilateral Weave collaboration between Switzerland (SNSF) and Croatia (HRZZ) under the SNSF project funding instrument. Swiss applicants apply as Lead Agency; projects must start on the same date in both countries and run for the same duration (max 48 months). Applicants may hold up to 3 simultaneous SNSF grants if one is a Weave/Lead Agency/International Co-Investigator or European Partnership project.

Bilateral Switzerland–Luxembourg collaborative research projects under the Weave Lead Agency procedure. Limited to FNR's CORE multi-annual thematic programme on the Luxembourg side. Applicants may hold max 2 simultaneous SNSF project grants; one must be a Weave/Lead Agency/ICS project. Non-English proposals possible only in certain humanities/social sciences disciplines, requiring prior agency agreement.

Bilateral Switzerland–Poland collaborative research projects under the Weave framework. Swiss applicants must be based at Swiss institutions (SNSF project funding rules apply); Polish partners apply via NCN OPUS or Weave-UNISONO. Applicants may hold max 2 simultaneous SNSF project funding grants, one of which must be a Weave/Lead Agency project. Budget in EUR and PLN must be consistent across both submissions.

Swiss researchers can fund up to 50% of the SNSF budget for co-applicants in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, or the Netherlands (or 30% for UK subprojects in humanities/social sciences via ESRC/AHRC). No thematic overlap with ongoing SNSF projects allowed; applicants may not exceed two projects total, one of which must be a Weave/Lead Agency/International Co-Investigator Scheme project.

Bilateral Switzerland–Slovenia joint research projects under the Weave Lead Agency procedure. Swiss applicants must be hosted at a Swiss institution and apply under SNSF project funding rules. Applicants may hold max 2 simultaneous SNSF project grants; one must be a Weave/Lead Agency/International Co-Investigator project. Topics of concurrent grants must be clearly distinct. Project start date must be the same in both countries.

Bilateral Switzerland–Austria collaborative project funding under the Weave framework. Swiss applicants must be based at a Swiss institution (SNSF project funding). Max 2 simultaneous SNSF project grants; one must be a Weave/Lead Agency/ICS project. Non-English submissions possible in some humanities/social sciences disciplines with prior agency agreement. Duration identical in both countries, max 48 months.

Bilateral Switzerland–Czech Republic collaborative research projects under the Weave procedure. Swiss applicants submit to SNSF as Lead Agency; Czech partners submit to GACR. Project must start on the same date in both countries. Applicants may hold max two simultaneous SNSF project funding grants, one of which must be a Weave/Lead Agency project; topics must be clearly distinct.

Bilateral Switzerland–Germany project funding under the Weave/Lead Agency procedure. Swiss applicants must be hosted at a Swiss institution; proposals must be submitted in English. Max 2 simultaneous SNSF project grants allowed (one must be Weave/LA/ICS). Also open for Priority Programmes (max 36 months) and Research Units (max 48 months, up to 2 Swiss subprojects).

Bilateral Switzerland–Sweden Weave call under SNSF project funding. Swiss applicant applies to SNSF as Lead Agency; Swedish partner applies to Formas (environment, agricultural sciences, spatial planning). Max 2 simultaneous SNSF project grants; topics must be clearly distinct. Project start date must be the same in both countries.

Bilateral Weave/Lead Agency call between SNSF (Switzerland) and F.R.S.-FNRS (Wallonia-Brussels, Belgium). Belgian applicants must be based at one of six eligible universities (UCLouvain, ULB, ULiège, UMons, UNamur, USL-B). Projects must run for the same duration in both countries (max 48 months). Proposals in languages other than English (possible in some humanities/social sciences disciplines) require prior agreement with all agencies.

Bottom-up collaborative project funding for researchers from 2–3 European countries embedded in SNSF Project Funding. Lead Agency evaluates the joint proposal; aims to fund top 20% of submissions. Proposals must be submitted in English (exceptions for Austria and Luxembourg). Trilateral projects with France, Israel, São Paulo, South Africa, South Tyrol, or the US are not possible under Weave.

Bilateral project funding under the Weave framework between SNSF and Sweden's Formas (environment, agricultural sciences, spatial planning). Swiss researchers must be hosted at Swiss institutions; max 2 simultaneous SNSF project grants, of which one must be Weave/Lead Agency/ICS. Topics of concurrent grants must be clearly distinct. Project start date must be the same in both countries.

Bilateral project funding under the Weave procedure between SNSF (Switzerland) and GACR (Czech Republic). Applicants must be based at Swiss or Czech institutions. Max two simultaneous SNSF project grants allowed; one must be a Weave/Lead Agency project. Projects must start on the same date in both countries and run for the same duration (max 36 months).

Bilateral Swiss–US research collaboration under the Weave Lead Agency procedure. Swiss applicants must be hosted at Swiss institutions eligible for SNSF project funding; US partners at NSF-eligible institutions. Proposals must be submitted in English, declared as use-inspired, and address broader impact. Project must start on the same date and run for the same duration in both countries (max 48 months).

Weave bilateral project funding between Switzerland (SNSF) and Slovenia (ARIS). Swiss applicants apply to SNSF as Lead Agency (max 48 months); Slovenian-led projects go via ARIS (max 36 months). Applicants may hold max two simultaneous SNSF project grants, one of which must be a Weave/Lead Agency project. Topics of concurrent grants must be clearly distinct.

Collaborative bottom-up project funding for researchers from 2–3 European countries via the Lead Agency principle. Proposals must be submitted in English (exceptions for Austria and Luxembourg). Each applicant must meet eligibility criteria of their national funder. Swiss sub-project budget submitted via SNSF portal; aims to fund top 20% of proposals in the relevant evaluation round. Trilateral projects with France, Israel, São Paulo, South Africa, South Tyrol, or the US are not possible.

Joint bilateral research proposals between Switzerland and a partner country (6 countries/regions with Lead Agency agreements). Swiss subproject governed by SNSF project-funding rules; proposals must be in English. Max 2 simultaneous project-funding grants per researcher; max 20% of Swiss budget for additional project partners. Evaluation may take longer than regular SNSF projects due to coordination.

Bilateral project funding under the Weave framework between SNSF and Sweden's Formas (environment, agricultural sciences, spatial planning). Swiss applicant must be hosted at a Swiss institution; max 2 simultaneous SNSF project grants, of which one must be Weave/Lead Agency/ICS. Topics of concurrent grants must be clearly distinct. Project start date must be the same in both countries.

6+ (SSH) call for at least one new NCCR in social sciences and humanities. Director must have SSH background; majority of team of directors and PIs must be active in SSH. Proposals must be in English. Director must hold a permanent position at a recognised Swiss home institution. Home institutions must match SNSF funding. Decision expected late 2027; selected NCCR(s) start first half of 2028.

Open to experienced researchers based at Swiss higher education/research institutions (ETH domain, accredited universities, UAS, UTE, or research facilities of national importance). NCCR director must hold a permanent position, have an SSH background, and commit for at least 4 years. Majority of directors and PIs must be SSH-active. Home institutions must co-fund matching SNSF contribution. Proposals must be submitted in English via mySNF.

SNSF Ambizione lets early-career researchers run an independent project at a Swiss host institution (salary + project funds, up to 4 years). Requires a Swiss link (Swiss nationality/degree or 12+ months research in Switzerland).

Supports randomised controlled clinical trials (RCTs) of high scientific and societal value, not in industry focus. Applicants must be based at Swiss institutions and form a research group of up to 5 persons with a strong track record. Multicentric setting generally required. Excludes pilot, proof-of-concept (phase I/IIa), observational, and commercially-driven studies. Patient and public involvement (PPI) is mandatory. CV must be submitted in the language of the research plan.

Supports investigator-initiated randomised controlled clinical trials (RCTs) addressing unmet medical/societal needs, not in industry focus. Applicants must be based at Swiss institutions and meet SNSF eligibility requirements. Excludes pilot, proof-of-concept (phase I/IIa), observational, and preclinical studies. Patient and public involvement (PPI) is mandatory. A PPI preparatory grant of up to CHF 5,000 is available alongside the letter of intent.

Part of SNSF project funding (Weave/Lead Agency). Swiss applicants submit to SNSF; South Tyrolean partners submit to the Province of South Tyrol. Max 2 simultaneous project funding grants per applicant (one must be a Weave/Lead Agency project). Earliest project start: 1 January of the year following submission. Budget sheets for South Tyrol financial plan required.

SNSF participates in the Belmont Forum's Resilience call. Swiss researchers apply via SNSF under the same requirements as SNSF Project funding. Detailed submission info in the national annex of the call. Announced 23 June 2025.

Multilateral initiative covering social sciences and humanities. Swiss researchers are fully eligible; SNSF funds the Swiss partner. Transnational consortium required. See national annex of each call for Swiss-specific submission requirements.

Multilateral initiative covering social and behavioural sciences. Swiss researchers are fully eligible; SNSF funds the Swiss partner. Transnational consortium required. See national annex of each call for Swiss-specific submission requirements.

ERA-NET initiative on neurological and mental disorders (diseases of the brain). Swiss researchers are fully eligible; SNSF funds the Swiss partner. Transnational consortium required. See national annex of each call for Swiss-specific submission requirements.

European Joint Programme on rare diseases. Swiss researchers are fully eligible; SNSF funds the Swiss partner. Transnational consortium required. See national annex of each call for Swiss-specific submission requirements.

Joint call with India's DBT and ICMR on One Health (interconnected health of humans, animals and environment). Swiss researchers must collaborate with Indian partners; SNSF covers Swiss costs, DBT/ICMR covers Indian costs. Up to 10 projects funded.

Trans-Atlantic Platform for Social Sciences and Humanities. Swiss researchers are fully eligible; SNSF funds the Swiss partner. Transnational consortium required. See national annex of each call for Swiss-specific submission requirements.

Transnational biodiversity research call under the Biodiversa+ European Partnership. Swiss researchers funded by SNSF; same requirements as SNSF Project funding apply. Consortia must include partners from several countries. See national annex of the call for submission details.

Transnational call on neurodegenerative diseases under the BrainHealth Partnership (successor to JPND). Swiss researchers funded by SNSF; same requirements as SNSF Project funding apply. Consortia must include partners from several countries.

Transnational clean energy research call co-funded by SNSF and Swiss Federal Office of Energy. Swiss researchers funded by SNSF; same requirements as SNSF Project funding apply. Consortia must include partners from several countries.

Transnational urban transitions research call co-funded by SNSF, Innosuisse, Federal Office of Energy, Federal Office for Spatial Development, and Federal Office of Civil Aviation. Swiss researchers funded by SNSF; same requirements as SNSF Project funding apply.

Transnational health and care systems research call co-funded by SNSF, Innosuisse, and Federal Office of Public Health. Swiss researchers funded by SNSF; same requirements as SNSF Project funding apply. Consortia must include partners from several countries.

Bilateral Switzerland–São Paulo (Brazil) joint project funding under the Lead Agency process. Proposals must be submitted in English. Applicants may hold a maximum of two simultaneous SNSF project funding grants, one of which must be a Weave/Lead Agency/International Co-Investigator Scheme project; the two projects must have clearly distinct topics.

Transnational water security research call under the Water4All European Partnership. Swiss researchers funded by SNSF; same requirements as SNSF Project funding apply. Consortia must include partners from several countries.

Supplementary measure for doctoral students and postdocs employed on SNSF-funded projects who need flexibility due to childcare responsibilities. Covers external childcare costs and/or salary of a support person to allow work-quota reduction. Postdocs must work ≥80%; Ambizione, PRIMA, Postdoc.Mobility return grant, and Doc.CH holders also eligible.

Supports international collaborative research projects between Swiss researchers and partners in countries with bilateral/multilateral SNSF agreements (Weave, Lead Agency, or ICIS). Evaluated by a single lead agency. Budget limit CHF 250k/applicant/year (avg); up to 20% of budget may go to project partners outside agreement countries. Applicants must meet SNSF Project Funding eligibility requirements.

Bilateral SNSF–ISF collaboration under the Lead Agency procedure. Proposals must be submitted in English. Swiss applicants may hold max two simultaneous project funding grants, one of which must be a Weave/Lead Agency project. Israeli institutions in territories occupied after 5 June 1967 are ineligible. Next round: submission to ISF as Lead Agency, November 2026.

Bilateral Switzerland–Israel joint project funding under the SNSF-ISF Lead Agency procedure. Proposals must be submitted in English. Swiss applicants may hold max 2 simultaneous project funding grants; topics must be clearly distinct. Israeli institutions in territories occupied after 5 June 1967 are excluded. SNSF and ISF alternate as Lead Agency yearly; next submission is to ISF in November 2026.

Transdisciplinary programme supporting collaboration between Swiss researchers and researchers from developing countries to advance implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Joint applications required.

Third call with India's DBT and ICMR for Joint Research Projects in the field of One Health (interconnected health of humans, animals and environment). SNSF covers Swiss-side costs; DBT/ICMR covers Indian-side costs. Up to 10 projects funded. Swiss host institution required.

Joint call with India's Ministry of Earth Sciences for geoscience research on natural hazards in mountain regions. SNSF covers Swiss-side costs; MoES covers Indian-side costs. Up to ~10 projects funded. Swiss host institution required.

Joint call with India's ICSSR for social science research with Indian partners. Thematic framework defined in call document. SNSF covers Swiss-side costs; ICSSR covers Indian-side costs. Up to 10 projects funded. Swiss host institution required.

Multilateral research projects conducted jointly by researchers in Switzerland and at least 2 of the 5 partner countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, Romania, Hungary). Each country team funded up to CHF 350,000. Part of the second Swiss contribution to reduce economic and social inequalities in the enlarged EU.