Scientific Exchange Programme between the New Member States of the EU and Switzerland (2009-2016)

The Sciex-NMS programme - funded by Switzerland (SDC - CRUS) as part of the Swiss EU-enlargement contribution - was launched in September 2009.

Sciex-NMS supports scientific exchange between Switzerland with 8 New EU Member States (NMS): Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia. And starting from November 2011, Bulgaria and Romania.

Main goals of the programme:

• foster capacities of individual researchers
• prospect and support scientific progress and innovation
• establish and enhance research collaborations and networks.

The programme is implemented by the CRUS (management and coordination) and a multipartite Steering Committee (operational decisions). 10 Sciex regional offices provide local information and support.

Research grants

Individual research fellowships represent the main Sciex-NMS tool. They involve junior (fellows) and senior (mentors) researchers.

Eligible institutions include:

• Swiss universities and research institutes subsidised by the Confederation (Geneva: UNIGE, HES-SO Geneve, IHEID)
• NMS universities, academies and national research institutes

Main features of fellowships:
- 6-24 months duration
- doctoral or post-doctoral level
- all scientific domains
- full salary and travel costs funded

Short Term Visits

Short Term Visits, open to Sciex Mentors from the new member states and Switzerland (no age restriction).

• Establish a cooperation
• Visit a Fellow
• Discuss a follow-up project
• Duration: Up to five days

Reimbursable Short Term Visits of Sciex Mentors: max. CHF 2'500.- per visit

Next calls for proposals deadlines

- 1st November 2012 (call publication: 1st September 2012):
Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Romania

-1 April 2013 (call publication: 1 January 2013):
Hungary, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia

Please refer always to official CRUS application procedures/instructions.