Research Partnership Grant (RPG) 2025 – Swiss Leading House South Asia
The Research Partnership Grant (RPG) supports Swiss-based researchers in developing collaborative projects with partners in South Asia. It enables teams to explore innovative ideas, conduct pilot research, and lay the foundation for long-term international cooperation across disciplines. The main applicant must be a Swiss-based researcher.
- Type: Seed funding for international collaborative research
- Aim: Supporting joint Swiss–South Asian research projects, fostering long-term partnerships, and enabling teams to test innovative ideas and gather preliminary data
- Application for: Swiss-based researchers (PhD students, postdocs, professors) collaborating with at least one partner from an eligible South Asian country (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Iran)
- Fields: All scientific disciplines; interdisciplinary and cross-institutional collaborations encouraged
- Funding: Grant amount: CHF 20,000 / 25,000 / 30,000 / 35,000
Duration: up to 12 months
Activities supported: desk research, fieldwork, feasibility studies, archival work, qualitative interviews, surveys, artistic practices, design thinking, and other collaborative methods
- Eligibility – Main applicant (Switzerland): Swiss-based researcher at a university, university of applied sciences, university of teacher education, or public research institute, holds at least a 40% position (permanent or active until six months after project end, and at least three years of relevant research or practical experience
- Eligibility – Partner institution (South Asia): Researcher is affiliated with an accredited university or public research institute, holds a faculty or scientist position and has several years of relevant research or practical experience
- Application deadline: 21 November 2025
For more information, please visit ZHAW's respective website.