SNSF
Lead Agency Process – Project Funding
Submissions to SNSF as Lead Agency on 1 April or 1 October annually; when partner organisation is Lead Agency, the partner's deadline is decisive (submit to mySNF within 7 days after)
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SNSF Lead Agency Process, Project Funding supports bilateral collaborative research between Swiss and partner-country researchers, with the Swiss subproject governed by standard SNSF Project Funding rules. Consortia must include one Swiss applicant and one partner-country applicant, with submissions timed to the lead funder's deadline (SNSF accepts on 1 April or 1 October; if the partner is lead, submit there first and to SNSF within 7 days). Researchers may hold a maximum of two simultaneous SNSF Project Funding grants, one of which must be a Weave, Lead Agency, or ICIS project.
Details
| Funder | SNSF |
| Consortium | Required — bilateral: Swiss applicant + partner-country applicant (trilateral not supported) |
| Application | Single stage (simultaneous submission to both national funders); if SNSF is Lead Agency, submit via SNSF portal; if partner is Lead Agency, submit to partner first then mySNF within 7 days |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Next round | 2026-10 |
| Eligible countries | CH |
Eligibility & scope
Joint bilateral research proposals between Switzerland and one of six partner countries/regions. Swiss subproject governed by SNSF Project Funding rules; proposals must be in English. Max 2 simultaneous project funding grants per researcher; one must be a Weave/Lead Agency/ICIS project. No more than 20% of Swiss budget for project partners from non-agreement countries.
Who Should Apply
- •Swiss researchers leading a bilateral project with a partner from an eligible country
- •Researchers willing to co-coordinate with a named partner investigator from outside Switzerland
- •Applicants holding no more than one other simultaneous SNSF Project Funding grant
- •Teams proposing research in English and compliant with SNSF Project Funding scope
Key Dates
- •Annual deadlines 1 April and 1 October (SNSF as Lead Agency); partner's deadline is decisive if partner is Lead Agency
- •Single-stage evaluation; simultaneous submission to both national funders required
- •If partner is Lead Agency, submit to partner first, then SNSF within 7 days of partner deadline
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Timeline synchronisation is critical: if the partner organisation is Lead Agency, their deadline governs your SNSF submission window, build a 7-day buffer into your planning.
- ✓The Swiss subproject must comply with SNSF Project Funding eligibility and scope rules; verify partner-country eligibility and funder rules in parallel to avoid misaligned proposals.
- ✓Document the lead funder status clearly in your submission; simultaneous deadlines require coordinated logistics with your partner team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the submission deadlines for SNSF Lead Agency Process?
When SNSF is Lead Agency, deadlines are 1 April and 1 October annually. If the partner organisation is Lead Agency, submit to them first, then to SNSF within 7 days of their deadline.
Can I apply to SNSF Lead Agency Process as a solo Swiss researcher?
No; the call requires a bilateral consortium with one Swiss applicant and one partner-country applicant. Trilateral proposals are not supported.
How many SNSF Project Funding grants can I hold while applying to Lead Agency?
You may hold a maximum of two simultaneous SNSF Project Funding grants, and one of them must be a Weave, Lead Agency, or ICIS project.
In what language should I submit my SNSF Lead Agency proposal?
Proposals must be submitted in English.
Are trilateral consortia allowed in SNSF Lead Agency Process?
No; only bilateral consortia (one Swiss applicant and one partner-country applicant) are supported.
Related on Grantsby
- SNSF writing tips & FAQ
Evaluation criteria, proposal structure, common mistakes.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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