Project Funding

In general, project funding allows the recipient to build up a team, to hire doctoral students, post-docs, etc. and, to cover operating costs associated with the conduct of the project.

SNSF – RESEARCH PROJECT
SNSF – SINERGIA - COLLABORATIVE PROJECT
SNSF - NATIONAL RESEARCH PROGRAMME (NRP)
SNSF – SDC – SWISS PROGRAMME FOR RESEARCH ON GLOBAL ISSUES FOR DEVELOPMENT (R4D.CH)
SNSF - SERI - BILATERAL PROGRAMMES WITH PRIORITY COUNTRIES
FP7 – COOPERATION
FP7 - PEOPLE - MARIE CURIE NETWORKS
FP7 – CAPACITIES
EUROPEAN JOINT TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVES
EUROPEAN JOINT PROGRAMMING INITIATIVES
EUREKA – EUROSTARS - AAL
COST - EUROPEAN COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL RESEARCH
SCOPES – SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION BETWEEN EASTERN EUROPE AND SWITZERLAND
OTHER EUROPEAN RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS (ESF, ESA, EMBO, HFSP)
CTI - COMMISSION FOR TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
UNITEC – INNOGAP Grants
SNIS - THE SWISS NETWORK FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
FOUNDATION "THE SIR JULES THORN CHARITABLE OVERSEAS TRUST REG., Schaan"
UNIGE – “PRIX, BOURSES ET SUBSIDES” DATABASE

This is your first application for funding ...  we advise you to read :

The Art of Grantsmanship by Jacob Kraicer (43 Kb, )

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SNSF – RESEARCH PROJECT

For both basic and applied research. All mono-disciplinary or interdisciplinary research topics are allowed. Applicants must hold a secure position for the entire duration of the grant. Funding covers direct research costs: personnel costs (not the salary for the main applicant or co-applicants), equipment, consumables and travel expenses. The earliest possible starting date for the project is 6 months after the submission deadline. Funding is granted for a period from 1 to 3 years. Grants may be extended to a maximum of 3 years up to a total of 6 years. This grant may be used to support doctoral students for a maximum of 4 years (3 years + 1 year extension). A "Mobility Grant" for the doctoral student (supplementary grant) may be requested up to 9 months before the end of the funded project.
Guidelines for First Submission
SNSF Budget Template 
Deadlines: 1 April and 1 October (every year)
URL: http://www.snf.ch/E/funding/projects

SNSF – SINERGIA - COLLABORATIVE PROJECT

For funding a small network of at least 3 and at most 4 research groups. Research groups may be based at various universities or research centres in Switzerland. One of the research groups may be abroad if particular expertise is required. The project must require a synergetic research approach. Funding ranges from CHF 1 to 2 million for a maximum of 3 years. A single follow-up project is possible.
Deadline: 15 January (every year)
URL: http://www.snf.ch/E/funding/projects/sinergia

SNSF - NATIONAL RESEARCH PROGRAMME (NRP)

The only SNSF funding instrument whose topics are defined by the Federal Council. The NRPs are aimed at solving Switzerland’s most pressing challenges, such as the use of water, soil and energy. NRPs last from 4 to 5 years and are funded with CHF 5 to 20 million. A call for proposal invites researchers to submit project applications to answer key questions raised by the programme. Projects are chosen in a two-stage process (draft proposal / full proposal).
NRPs to be launched in 2013: NRP 70 "Transforming Energy", NRP 71 "Options for Controlling Final Energy Consumption"
URL: http://www.snf.ch/E/targetedresearch/researchprogrammes

SNSF – SDC – SWISS PROGRAMME FOR RESEARCH ON GLOBAL ISSUES FOR DEVELOPMENT (R4D.CH)

For the funding of research partnership projects consisting of at least one Swiss research group and at least two research groups from two different developing countries. Five main topics characterize this programme: 1) Reducing poverty through employment as well as favourable societal and state-related framework conditions 2) Causes of and solutions to social conflicts in the context of weak public institutions 3) Agricultural production systems and food security 4) Sustainable use and management of ecosystems 5) Provision systems and financing mechanisms in the public health sector.
The following calls are planned: Spring 2013 - Topics "Ecosystems" and "Food Security", Spring 2014 - Topic "Public Health".
URL: http://www.r4d.ch

SNSF - SERI - BILATERAL PROGRAMMES WITH PRIORITY COUNTRIES

For the funding of Joint Research Projects (JRP) conducted by a Swiss researcher with researchers from Brazil, China, India, Russia, South Africa, Japan or South Korea. Between 2013-2016, one or two calls for JRPs with each of these countries will be launched, thematically restricted to research fields of importance to both countries involved. These projects typically last 3 years and the corresponding grants cover similar costs as SNSF individual projects (equipment, research funds, and salaries).
Deadlines: SNSF website
URL: http://www.snf.ch/E/international/worldwide/bilateral-programmes-brics-countries

FP7 – COOPERATION

The FP7-Cooperation programme supports collaborative projects in 10 priority domains: Health, Food, Information and Communication Technologies, Nanosciences, Energy, Environment, Transport, Social sciences and Humanities, Space and Security. Projects fund salary, travel, equipment and consumable costs over 2-5 years, for research, management, dissemination, training and other activities.
Deadlines: Some calls remain open in the first semester 2013 (ICT, Environment, Transport, etc.), awaiting new calls covering all domains in 2014 (H2020).
URL: http://www.unige.ch/recherche/euresearch

FP7 - PEOPLE - MARIE CURIE NETWORKS

The Marie Curie research networks support the mobility and training of young researchers in all scientific domains, as well as staff exchanges/secondments including industry-academia partnerships. Deadlines: No calls expected in 2013, but new calls for all types of networks in 2014 (H2020).
URL: http://www.unige.ch/recherche/euresearch

FP7 – CAPACITIES

The FP7-Capacities programme includes 7 theme-cross-cutting actions supporting Infrastructures, Research for the benefit of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), Regions of Knowledge, Science in Society, Research Policies and International Cooperation.
Deadlines: Only few and very specific calls remain open, with new calls expected in 2014 (H2020).
URL: http://www.unige.ch/recherche/euresearch

EUROPEAN JOINT TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVES

Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs) or Joint Undertakings support public/private partnerships in relevant research and development fields in Europe: Innovative Medicine Initiative (IMI), Fuel Cells, Clean Sky, Artemis and Eniac. Each JTI launches its own calls for collaborative, applied research projects with mixed public (FP7/H2020) and private (industry) funding.
Deadlines: 19 March 2013 for IMI, 22 May 2013 for Fuel Cells, among others.
URL: http://www.unige.ch/recherche/euresearch

EUROPEAN JOINT PROGRAMMING INITIATIVES

Joint Programming Initiatives (JPI) are designed to tackle major societal challenges calling for special synergies of national research programmes. About ten JPIs have been defined, including Neurodegenerative Diseases, Food security, Healthy Diet, Cultural Heritage, Urban Europe, Clik’EU, More Years, Antimicrobial Resistance, Water Challenges and Healthy Seas. Some JPIs are fully operational, defining their own research agenda and publishing their calls for projects.
Deadlines: 19 March 2013 for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 5 April 2013 for Cultural Heritage, among others.
URL: http://www.unige.ch/recherche/euresearch

EUREKA – EUROSTARS - AAL

Eureka promotes innovation- and market-oriented collaborative research projects, particularly focused on SMEs working together with research institutes and universities. The approach is bottom-up. Eureka clusters are longer-term strategic initiatives, Eureka umbrella initiatives are thematic networks, and the Eurostars initiative supports research-intensive SMEs and their university partners. Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) is a Joint R&D programme addressing the demographic changes in Europe, to ensure enhanced quality of life for elder people through the use of information and communication technologies.
Deadlines: 4 April 2013 for Eurostars, several deadlines for Eureka clusters, 30 April 2013 for AAL. Calls are launched every year.
URL: http://www.unige.ch/recherche/euresearch

COST - EUROPEAN COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL RESEARCH

COST supports the creation of European research networks/actions in all scientific and technical fields according to a bottom-up principle. Researchers can take part in existing actions or initiate new actions that cover mainly networking activities including meetings, conferences, workshops, short-term scientific exchanges, training schools, publications and dissemination activities. Swiss researchers can also submit individual research projects within existing COST actions.
Deadlines: 29 March and 27 September 2013 (to be confirmed) for COST actions, 30 April 2013 for COST projects. Calls are launched every year.
URL: http://www.unige.ch/recherche/euresearch

SCOPES – SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION BETWEEN EASTERN EUROPE AND SWITZERLAND

SCOPES supports Joint Research Projects (JRP), Institutional Partnerships (IP), Preparatory Grants (PG), Valorisation Grants (VG) and Conference Grants (CG). The financial means should mainly go to the Eastern Europe partners, but they also cover costs for the Swiss partners.
Deadlines: In the framework of SCOPES 2013–2016, there will be a call for proposals for JRP (open from 20 March to 20 September 2013) and one for IP (open from 20 March to 20 September 2014). Preparatory Grants can only be submitted during an open call in order to prepare a JRP / IP. Applications for Valorisation Grants are usually submitted towards the end of a JRP / IP. Applications for Conference Grants can be submitted throughout the entire duration of the programme.
URL: http://www.unige.ch/recherche/euresearch

OTHER EUROPEAN RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS (ESF, ESA, EMBO, HFSP)

Switzerland participates in numerous European and international organisations and programmes, such as ESF (European Science Foundation), ESA (European Space Agency), EMBO (European Molecular Biology Organisation) and HFSP (Human Frontier Science Programme) among others.
Deadlines: multiple submission dates (every year).
URL: http://www.unige.ch/recherche/euresearch

CTI - COMMISSION FOR TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

For joint research and development projects led by universities and private sector companies. Areas of funding: Life Sciences, Micro and Nanotechnology, Engineering Sciences, Enabling Sciences. The applicant belongs to a non-profit research institution. Funding covers mainly personnel costs for the non-profit research institutions for a maximum of 3 years (industrial partners contribute 50% of the total costs of the project).
Deadlines: no fixed deadlines. Check the dates of the evaluation meetings on the CTI website.
NEW: In the framework of the "Message relatif au plan d'action "Recherche énergétique suisse coordonnée" - Mesures pour les années 2013 à 2016" the CTI will have available 46 MCHF over 4 years to support energy related innovation projects.
URL: http://www.kti.admin.ch/index.html?lang=en

UNITEC – INNOGAP Grants

INNOGAP is a proof-of-principle fund to help researchers move their research discoveries toward practical implementation. The INNOGAP fund increases the value of their inventions, improves the chances of realizing societal benefits of research and enhances the ability to license them to existing or newly created companies. INNOGAP grants amount up to CHF 30,000 to help researchers finance proof-of-principle or prototyping projects.
Deadlines: 2 fixed deadline each year (usually in Spring and Autumn). Check the dates on the website.
URL: http://www.unige.ch/unitec/Informations-chercheurs/INNOGAP_en.html

SNIS - THE SWISS NETWORK FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

The SNIS offers project grants for multidisciplinary research teams. Project proposals must qualify as international studies (research on global issues that are either relevant in the international arena or at least concern multiple countries simultaneously) or multidisciplinary studies (can include disciplines from the social and natural sciences). Cooperation / joint research with international organisations and/or NGOs is strongly encouraged. The project grants run for 2 years and range from CHF 100,000 to 300,000.
Deadline: January (every year) (two-steps selection process)
URL: http://www.snis.ch

FOUNDATION "THE SIR JULES THORN CHARITABLE OVERSEAS TRUST REG., Schaan"

This foundation funds excellent biomedical research projects at the Faculty of Medicine (excluding cancer research) (amount is about CHF 150,000). Preference will be given to a young scientist who is developing a first independent research project. As a priority, the grant covers the applicant's salary, but the salary of academic or technical staff, consumables and equipement can be funded as well. The policy of the foundation is to fund specific research project and not complete existing subsidies. 2013 Submission Guidelines.
Deadline: 30 September 2013

UNIGE – “PRIX, BOURSES ET SUBSIDES” DATABASE

The University administers a number of permanent funds used to award prizes or fellowships, or to pay various subsidies. The database search engine allows specific opportunities to be retrieved; for example each year the Ernest Boninchi Foundation awards funding for research projects (database File #290).
URL: http://www.unige.ch/rectorat/pbs