International Funding Instruments
The following overview includes funding instruments specifically with an international scope. For currently open calls, please also consult our news.
Concerning general information on research funding, please refer to the website of Research, Innovation and Academic Career Development.
UZH also offers Travel Grants for young researchers (PhD students and Postdocs). For more information, check the website of UZH Graduate Campus.
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Research+
research.swiss is a centralised platform showcasing scientific and technological cooperation opportunities between Switzerland and the rest of the world. Launched by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) in collaboration with swissnex, the new platform aims to facilitate collaboration in research and innovation by providing researchers, higher education institutions and innovators with a unique overview of the most important funding instruments, calls for joint research projects, and mobility programs.
Funding Opportunities of UZH
Strategic Partnerships Strategic Partnerships
The University of Zurich and its strategic partners aim to strengthen their sthared goals of sustainable collaboration in research and teaching. For joint funding opportunities, please check the UZH Global Strategy and Partnerships Funding Scheme.
UZH Global Funding Scheme
The UZH Global Strategy and Partnerships Funding Scheme supports UZH faculties, departments and units in pursuing joint activities with partner universities that strengthen the impact of the global UZH network and that help implementing the UZH Global Strategy. For open calls, please refer to the website of the UZH Global Strategy and Partnerhips Funding Scheme.
GRC Travel Grants Graduate Campus
The Graduate Campus offers Travel Grants for young researchers (PhD students and Postdocs). For more information, check the website of UZH Graduate Campus.
UZH collaboration with scientific institutions in Iran
Since 2017, the University of Zurich together with the Stiftung Mercator Switzerland are promoting the exchange of knowledge with scientific institutions in Iran. We support sustainable projects in research and teaching, which seek a reciprocal partnership between the institutions and individuals involved. Visit our website to learn more on the existing funding instruments.
Bilateral Programs of the Swiss Confederation
The bilateral programs of the Swiss Confederation are aimed at promoting and strengthening scientific cooperation between Switzerland and non-European countries that show high or promising research potential.
Joint Research Projects (JRPs)
The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) has a mandate for the 2017-2020 period to conduct calls for Joint Research Projects (JRPs) in collaboration with Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Japan, Russia, South Africa and South Korea.
Program Manager North-South.
You will find further information on open calls on the SNSF website.
Leading Houses (LHs)
A so-called leading house (LH) at a Swiss university or university of applied sciences serves as a liaison office for each country or region taking part in the bilateral programs: The LHs are in close contact with partner institutions in the respective regions and sometimes have their own funding schemes for an initial collaboration or exchange.
| Region | Leading House |
|---|---|
| North Africa and Middle East | University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO) |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) in cooperation with the University of Basel |
| Latin America | University of St. Gallen |
| East and South East Asia | ETH Zurich |
| Russia and CIS | University of Geneva |
| Indian sub-continent and Iran | Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) |
SNSF Funding Schemes with an International Scope
The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) offers different instruments to support international research projects that are carried out by researchers employed in Switzerland:
SPIRIT - Swiss Program for International Research by Scientific Investigation Teams
The SPIRIT program facilitates knowledge exchange between Swiss researchers and researchers in selected countries that are receiving development assistance.
Applicants can request between 50,000 and 500,000 Swiss francs in project funds for two to four years. At least 30% of each approved grant must be allocated to Switzerland and at least 30% to the relevant partner country/countries.
Submission deadline: pre-proposals can be submitted all year round, full proposals only by invitation after approval of the pre-proposal.
Scientific Exchanges
Scientific Exchanges are aimed at researchers who want to host their own scientific event in Switzerland, invite colleagues from abroad for a research visit to Switzerland, or visit their colleagues in another country.
Duration: 2 - 5 days for scientific events; 1 - 6 months for research visits
Submission deadline: The applications must be submitted via the mySNF platform at least four months before the event or the visit.
Mobility Fellowships: Doc.Mobility, Early Postdoc.Mobility, Postdoc.Mobility
Mobility Fellowships are designed for young researchers who wish to enhance their scientific profile by working at a research institution abroad.
Duration: 6 - 24 months
Submission deadline: 1 March and 1 September (Doc.Mobility and Early Postdoc.Mobility); 1 February and 1 August (Postdoc.Mobility)
Sinergia offers a platform for interdisciplinary projects of two to four researcher groups from different Swiss institutions.
Duration: 1 - 4 years
Submission deadline: 1 June and 1 December
Supplementary measures
Supplementary measures comprise very specific, targeted funding schemes that are available to grantees of the SNSF if certain conditions are met.
Other Funding Sources, Points of Contact and Funding Databases
For researchers at UZH, EU Grants Access is the first point of contact for all funding opportunities within Europe (e.g. Horizon 2020).
Swiss Network for International Studies (SNIS)
The SNIS promotes academic research in the interdisciplinary area of international studies with an interest in phenomena that transcend traditional nation-state boundaries. Once a year, SNIS offers project grants for pluri-disciplinary research teams.
The Swiss-African Research Cooperation (SARECO) is a program of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), implemented by the Leading House Basel. SARECO does not offer own funding but runs a helpful database for funding opportunities for collaborative research between Switzerland and African countries.
Commission for Research Partnerships with Developing Countries (KFPE)
KFPE is the information hub for "North-South" research in Switzerland, both for researchers and for the target audience of the research. It promotes increased, effective and equitable research cooperation with low and middle income countries. By doing so, KFPE contributes to sustainable development and to solving global problems. Their website offers an overview on funding possibilities with developing countries.