SNSF
Weave / Lead Agency / International Co-Investigator Scheme
Deadlines vary by partner country and Lead Agency arrangement. SNSF Lead Agency deadlines: 1 October 2026 & 1 April 2027. Partner deadlines range from rolling (FWF Austria, DFG Germany) to specific dates (e.g. F.R.S. FNRS 7 July 2026, NRF South Africa 28 August 2026, FORMAS Sweden 7 October 2026).
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The SNSF Weave, Lead Agency, and International Co-Investigator Scheme (ICIS) fund joint research projects between Swiss-based researchers and collaborators in designated partner countries, with project budgets up to CHF 250,000 per applicant per year for 1-4 years depending on the partner country. Swiss researchers must work with a named international partner in one of the eligible countries (Belgium, Germany, Croatia, Luxembourg, Austria, Poland, Sweden, Slovenia, Czech Republic, France, Israel, Brazil, South Africa, Italy-South Tyrol, United States, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, or UK for social sciences and humanities). This is a continuous call with multiple deadlines tied to each partner country's grant cycle.
Details
| Funder | SNSF |
| Duration | 1 to 4 years, depending on the partner country |
| Consortium | Required — minimum 2 researchers from 2 different countries (Swiss applicant + international partner) |
| Application | Single stage; Swiss applicants submit to SNSF Portal (SNSF as Lead Agency) or to partner agency first then mySNF within 7 days (partner as Lead Agency). |
| Frequency | Continuous |
| Eligible countries | CH |
Eligibility & scope
Supports international collaborative research projects between Swiss-based researchers and partners in countries with bilateral/multilateral agreements (Weave: Belgium, Germany, Croatia, Luxembourg, Austria, Poland, Sweden, Slovenia, Czech Republic; Lead Agency: France, Israel, São Paulo, South Africa, South Tyrol, USA; ICIS: Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, UK). Budget cap of CHF 250k/applicant/year; up to 20% for project partners outside agreement countries. Proposals must meet SNSF Project Funding eligibility requirements.
Who Should Apply
- •Swiss-based researchers at universities, research institutions, or recognised Swiss research organisations
- •Applicants with an identified research partner in a country with bilateral or multilateral SNSF agreements
- •Projects requiring international collaboration across disciplinary and national boundaries
- •Research teams across all disciplines (Weave/Lead Agency cover all fields; ICIS is social sciences and humanities only)
Key Dates
- •Multiple deadlines by partner country: F.R.S. FNRS Belgium 7 July 2026, FORMAS Sweden 7 October 2026, NRF South Africa 28 August 2026, ISF Israel November 2026, SNSF as Lead Agency 1 October 2026 & 1 April 2027; FWF Austria, DFG Germany, and other partners rolling
- •Single-stage written evaluation; Swiss applicants submit to SNSF Portal with parallel submission to partner within 7 days
- •Project duration 1-4 years depending on partner country
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Submission is linked to partner-country deadlines, align your Swiss application with your partner's funder's call cycle. FWF and DFG are rolling, but bilateral partners have fixed deadlines; miss your partner's date and the Swiss submission is moot.
- ✓The consortium is mandatory and must be named in the proposal; a strong letter of commitment from your international partner, confirming their own institution's support and cost-sharing, significantly strengthens your case.
- ✓Budget carefully: the CHF 250k/year cap applies to Swiss costs alone; check whether your partner funder shares this ceiling or has separate limits. Up to 20% may fund partners outside the formal agreement network, useful for essential third collaborators.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding does SNSF Weave, Lead Agency or ICIS provide?
Up to CHF 250,000 per Swiss applicant per year, with a maximum CHF 200,000 of that dedicated to personnel costs. Duration and total budget depend on the partner country and funder.
Which countries can I partner with for SNSF Weave/Lead Agency/ICIS?
Weave covers Belgium, Germany, Croatia, Luxembourg, Austria, Poland, Sweden, Slovenia, and Czech Republic. Lead Agency adds France, Israel, Brazil, South Africa, Italy-South Tyrol, and the United States. ICIS covers Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the UK (social sciences and humanities only).
Do I submit my application only to SNSF or also to my international partner's funder?
You submit to both: first to the SNSF Portal (or mySNF if your partner is Lead Agency), then to your partner funder within 7 days. The deadlines are staggered by partner country.
Is the international partner mandatory?
Yes, a named international research partner in an eligible country is required for all three schemes (Weave, Lead Agency, ICIS). The partner must be formally committed to the project and submit a parallel application to their own funder.
Can I work with a country not on the list of SNSF partners?
Not as the primary partner, but up to 20% of your budget may fund collaborators outside the formal agreement countries, provided the majority of the collaboration sits within an eligible partner country.
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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