February 2022

NEWSLETTER - Research Services

HIGHLIGHTS

Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe – Major Calls for Projects / Swiss Transitional Measures 2022.
Horizon Europe offers hugh opportunities in 2022, with national transitional measures set-up by the SERI/SNSF to compensate many negative effects of the Swiss non-association to Horizon Europe (CH = non-associated high-income third country).
Main opportunities to size:
* Major EU calls for collaborative projects (Clusters, Partnerships, etc.) open now or soon – Swiss participations as « associated partners » in the European consortia, with national funding through SERI;

* SNSF calls replacing the ERC and Marie Sklodowska Curie calls closed to Switzerland – following the ERC/MSCA approach (project objectives and design, etc.) combined with SNSF submission and management modalities (mySNF, etc.). The SNSF Consolidator Grants 2022 call will open soon (1.3.2022 – 1.6.2022, tbc), , and the SNSF Advanced Grants 2022 could follow in summer/autumn 2022 if the Swiss status would not change. Information on the Postdoctoral Fellowships 2022 is pending.

Research Services provides up-to-date information and practical support on all levels (EU, SERI, SNSF).

More information:
Key links and documents (Research Services)
Swiss status in Horizon Europe (SERI)
Open calls for collaborative projects (Euresearch)
Swiss transitional measures (SERI)
Swiss transitional measures (SNSF)
Contact (Research Services)

RESEARCH SERVICES LATEST NEWS

SERI Survey

SERI’s survey on Swiss participation in Horizon Europe
The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) is conducting a survey on the Swiss participation in Horizon Europe and related programmes and initiatives. The aim of this survey is to gather the experiences of researchers and innovators now that the first year of Horizon Europe is over. This is an opportunity to share your assessment of the current situation, your views on the consequences of participation as a non-associated third country. The information provided will be used in various settings, e.g. to inform policy makers and to design future transitory measures accordingly. The survey takes about 5-10 minutes.
Link to Survey
Deadline: February 16, 2022

SEFRI

ESFRI has published the new Strategy Report on Research Infrastructures 2021 (website, full pdf document). The report is a comprehensive analysis of the current infrastructure landscape available to European scientists (22 research infrastructures in preparation phase and 41 established landmarks) and their possible evolution in the areas of digital research infrastructures, energy, environment, health and food, physical sciences and engineering, social and cultural innovation. Switzerland participates in three of the eleven new RIs projects (i. EBRAINS: EPFL; ii. SLICES: University of Geneva, EPFL, ETH Zürich, University of Applied Studies Western Switzerland, Bern University of Applied Sciences; iii. SoBigData++: ETH Zürich) and one of the four new landmarks (i. ACTRIS: State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, Federal Office for the Environment, Swiss National Science Foundation, Paul Scherrer Institut, Empa, University of Bern, Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss, University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland, ETH Zürich, High Altitude Research Stations Jungfraujoch and Gornergrat International Foundation).

SNSF - Research Council

The National Research Council evaluates project proposals submitted by researchers in Switzerland and selects the best ones for funding. The Council is composed of a maximum of 100 leading researchers. Members are elected by the Executive Committee of the SNSF Foundation Council.
The two re-elected heads of division are: Matthias Peter, ETH Zurich, President of the Biology and Medicine division and Claudia Kühni, University of Bern, Vice President of the Biology and Medicine division will continue to lead for the period of office starting 1 April 2022 and ending 31 December 2023
The six new members of the Research Council are:
Humanities and Social Sciences division : Paulo de Assis, Orpheus Institute Ghent (Belgium).
Mathematics, Natural and Engineering Sciences division : Natalie Banerji, University of Bern, Vera Slaveykova, University of Geneva and Adrian Signer, University of Zurich and Paul Scherrer Institute
Biology and Medicine division : Verdon Taylor, University of Basel
Programmes division : Mira Burri, University of Lucerne, for law
National Research Council of the SNSF
Congratulations to Prof. Vera Slaveykova, representing the University of Geneva, for environmental sciences, starting on 1 October 2022

Open Science in HE

Enabling Open Science and societal engagement in research.
The European Commission has the ambition for Open Science to become the norm for research and innovation across the European Research Area.
On 9 December 2021 a report on enabling open science and societal engagement in research was published (5 key recommendations here).
Globally, there is a need for substantial reforms to the managerial logic in universities. Reforms to definitions and measures of research quality and impact are needed, especially for applied and strategic research. Moreover, there exists an urgent need to reform indicators and measures of research performance and reputation, of which reforms to university ranking systems are a priority.

SNSF

New online database simplifies access to 80,000 projects.
Topics, people and results: the new “Grant Search” database of the SNSF is set to supersede the existing P3 database, bringing even greater transparency to research funding activities of the SNSF
There is always an element of pride when SNSF staff talk about the P3 database. Since 2012, it has been a resource for conducting detailed searches on the projects and researchers the SNSF supports. The database also includes lay summaries. Each year, P3 handles more than 100,000 search queries.
The new database is compatible with mobile devices and can be easily modified to accommodate future needs. Like P3, it contains information on around 80,000 projects funded by the SNSF since 1975. Data on output – i.e. the products created as a result of the research – is considerably more extensive than previously. The Grant Search puts data sets, start-up companies and public communication activities on an equal footing with scientific publications.
The Grant Search is intended both for researchers and a lay audience, so academics, politicians, journalists or teachers should all be able to find what they’re searching for quickly.
The Grant Search is part of the Data Portal that the SNSF launched in 2019. This platform gives scientists and the public access to interactive key figures and analyses in the form of Data Stories. All data sets can be downloaded for processing.
New Grant Search
Data Portal

SNSF

Gender monitoring (part 1): how women fare in SNSF project funding
The Swiss research landscape suffers from a chronic underrepresentation of women. This can also be seen in the share of women applying for funding at the SNSF. But how has this share evolved over time? And have women been less successful in raising funds?
The SNSF does a yearly gender monitoring to stay on top of recent developments in the share of female researchers applying for and receiving funding. The results are regularly presented to the Gender Equality Commission of the SNSF, as well as to the National Research Council, in order for them to give evidence-based advise and take decisions. To take the appropriate measures to improve gender equality in the Swiss research landscape, the SNSF and its Gender Equality office must understand the situation of female applicants.

SNSF - Project funding

339 outstanding projects approved - call Spring 2021
The SNSF awards project funding grants twice a year. The funding scheme accounts for around half of its budget. Experienced researchers working at universities or other scientific institutions in Switzerland can apply.
The SNSF has selected 339 out of a total of 998 applications for funding and is investing 232 million francs in them. “While this amount is higher than in recent calls for proposals in project funding, the success rate is still around one third owing to the increased number of applications,” explains Thomas Werder Schläpfer.
This time round, women recorded a slightly higher success rate than men (35.1% versus 33.5%); this figure is substantially higher than in spring 2021. Women researchers are leading 101 – or around 30% – of the 339 selected projects. In STEM subjects, their share has risen to 20%. “I’m delighted to see the success rate of women going up, as well as their higher participation in the STEM subjects,” says Simona Isler, the SNSF’s Gender Equality Representative. “In absolute terms, however, there are still too few of them participating in calls and more effort is definitely needed to increase the number of proposals submitted by women”.
The approved projects are spread roughly evenly between scientific disciplines: 35% involve mathematics, natural and engineering sciences, 34% biology and medicine and 32% the humanities and social sciences. 13% of project leaders are under 40 years old, 50% under 50.
Around 65% of the money is going to researchers at universities. Scientists in the ETH Domain will receive 27%, while universities of applied sciences and universities of teacher training account for 6%. Researchers at other institutions will receive 1%.
List of grantees (PDF)
Project funding of the SNSF

OFEN - SWEET

SWEET – “SWiss Energy research for the Energy Transition” – is a funding programme of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE). SWEET’s purpose is to accelerate innovations that are key to implementing Switzerland’s Energy Strategy 2050 and achieving the country’s climate goals.
OFEN : Newsletter SWEET
Informations
Vidéos

SNSF - NRP

The National Research Programmes (NRPs) are the federal government’s research funding tool to support research projects that develop knowledge useful in guiding decisions and practices – and thereby help to solve current challenges. At the request of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), the Federal Council periodically decides on the thematic focus of new NRPs and the budget for each.
On behalf of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) and in preparation for the launch of two to three new NRPs, the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) is currently seeking thematic proposals for new NRPs. The closing date for submission of thematic proposals for new NRPs is 23 March 2022. Please use only the submission form provided for this purpose.
Anyone (any natural person, legal entity or federal agency) may submit thematic proposals to SERI.
Submitting a thematic proposal offers the possibility of suggesting themes for a new NRP. These proposals should be easy to understand thematic outlines providing a brief explanation of the problem to be addressed, the main concerns underlying the proposal as well as the research activities aimed at achieving the desired objectives of the NRP. We do not require detailed outlines of scientific research projects.
NRP Mandatory requirements (PDF, 126 kB, 24.01.2022)

SNSF - US collaboration

SNSF boosts collaboration with US funding agency
Researchers in Switzerland will find it easier to carry out projects with partners in the USA.
Swiss and American researchers will only have to submit a single application for joint projects. The SNSF or the NSF will then assess the project, as opposed to both in parallel, as is currently the case. The SNSF has already concluded lead agency agreements with numerous European countries as well as with South Africa and the federal state of São Paolo in Brazil. Each year, the SNSF finances several hundred research projects under these agreements. In each case, it assumes the costs of Swiss participation. In addition to the lead agency process, the memorandum of understanding enables other forms of cooperation between the SNSF and the NSF. These might include joint conferences, or the exchange of information and best practices. The NSF primarily supports basic research, with a budget that amounts to 7.7 billion Swiss francs in 2021. The USA plays a key role for Swiss science. In the last five years alone, the SNSF has funded more than 5,000 projects in Switzerland involving collaboration with the USA.
Lead Agency process
National Science Foundation

SEFRI

SERI’s survey on Swiss participation in Horizon Europe
The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) is conducting a survey on the Swiss participation in Horizon Europe and related programmes and initiatives. The aim of this survey is to gather the experiences of researchers and innovators now that the first year of Horizon Europe is over. This is an opportunity to share your assessment of the current situation, your views on the consequences of participation as a non-associated third country. The information provided will be used in various settings, e.g. to inform policy makers and to design future transitory measures accordingly. The survey takes about 5-10 minutes.
Link to Survey
Deadline: February 16th, 2022

INTERREG

Interreg is one of the key financial instruments of the European Union (EU) supporting cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation, including in the domain of research and innovation. The new phase 2021-2027 (Interreg VI) is currently underway, with first calls published for the Alpine Space Programme.
First calls for the France-Switzerland Programme are expected in June 2022 (tbc). Swiss entities participate with full rights and national funding through federal, cantonal and regional authorities.
Alpine Space Programme
Transnational cooperation for the transition to a unique, carbon neutral and climate resilient Alpine region.
Classic projects - First call, deadline: 28.2.22
* Budget for each project between EUR 1 and 3 million;
* Duration between 24 and 36 months;
* 7 - 12 partners from at least four different countries of the programme area.
Small-scale projects - First call, deadline: 22.4.22
* Budget for each project between EUR 250.000 and 750.000;
* Duration between 12 and 18 months;
* 3 - 6 partners from at least three different countries of the programme area.
More information:
* Alpine Space Programme Manual
* Applicants guidelines/documents
* Information and contact ARE
* Contact UNIGE

Newsletter FNS
Newsletter SEFRI
Newsletter Euresearch

EVENTS

SNSF

SNSF & Innosuisse funding scheme events.
The SNSF and Innosuisse have organized online information events for researchers.
If you missed the events : please check the section Recordings and slides

SUCCESS STORIES

COST

The COST Final Impact Assessment for the period 2014-2020 has been released. The in-depth study highlights the important role played by COST in the European research and innovation landscape and provides an overview of the networking, scientific and societal impacts of COST-funded activities.
Switzerland ranks 9th with 1,809 participations over this period.
Information

SNSF - Switzerland-Vietnam

Successful start of the bilateral programme Switzerland-Vietnam
44 applications were submitted to the first call for proposals with Vietnam. Ten projects by Swiss and Vietnam scientists will be funded.
Under the bilateral cooperation programmes of the Swiss government, the SNSF launched a joint call with the National Foundation for Science & Technology Development (NAFOSTED) in Vietnam. The call was open to projects with a duration of two to three years from all fields of research. Projects involving scientists based in Switzerland and Vietnam were jointly evaluated by the SNSF and NAFOSTED. The two organisations appointed a panel of international experts in the fields represented in the projects. The panel approved 10 projects from a wide range of fields such as agriculture, environment, social work, paediatrics, and psychology. Researchers in Switzerland are funded by the SNSF with 2.3 million francs, while NAFOSTED is funding researchers in Vietnam.
List of grantees (PDF)
Bilateral programme with Vietnam

Congratulations to Federico SANCHEZ, Faculty of Medicine and his Vietnamese main applicant Dung NGUYEN from VNU University of Science for the project Neutrino-nucleus cross-section meassurements using the new sFGD detector of T2K

SNSF - SPIRIT

Thanks to SPIRIT, Swiss researchers can work with colleagues in the global South. The SNSF funds eight further projects worth 4 million francs.
The eight projects each receive 500,000 francs and consist of teams of 2 to 4 researchers. The grantees are based in Switzerland and in the following partner countries: Columbia, Ecuador, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The share of female grantees is 52%.
The next submission deadline for SPIRIT applications is on 2 November 2021 at 5:00 pm.
List of grantees (PDF)
SPIRIT programme
Congratulation to Prof. Jörg Balsiger, Geneva School of Social Sciences for the project : Violence against Environmental Defenders in Mining.
The researchers Raquel Yrigoyen Fajardo from the partner country Peru is associated as well as Willice Abuya from Kenya and Augusto Gatmaytan from the Philippines.

SNSF - ECCELLENZA

Eccellenza finances 32 assistant professorships
The SNSF contributes 57 million francs to projects by outstanding researchers who are on their way to a permanent professorship.
The SNSF received 244 Eccellenza proposals in 2021. After a two-stage evaluation process, 32 projects were selected for funding. From a total of 57 million francs, the researchers will receive, on average, approximately 1.8 million each over a five-year period. This amount will cover their own salaries, those of their team and other research costs. While women were proportionally more successful than men in the previous year, success rates were virtually equal in 2021.
The 32 projects are in various fields, ranging from the natural sciences to the humanities.The SNSF created the Eccellenza Professorial Fellowships scheme in 2018. Four calls have taken place since then, resulting in awards for 138 researchers.
Eccellenza
List of awardees (PDF)

Eccellenza 2021: 4th call (32 awards of Eccellenza Professorial Fellowship)
Jehanne Dousse, Faculty of Science, for the project Mathematics Partition identities and interactions
Andreas Loukas, Faculty of Science, for the project Information Technology A theory of neural network communication (NECO): establishing the fundamental limits of neural architectures
Martina Valentini, Faculty of Medicine, for the project Experimental Microbiology RNA degradosome reshuffling – an essential driver of bacterial adaptation

Congratulations to the new UNIGE fellows!

CALLS FOR PROJECTS - SUBMISSION DEADLINES

Eurostars: Innovation projects of innovative Swiss SMEs with international partners.
Eurostars is a funding instrument that supports innovative SMEs and project partners (large companies, universities, research organisations and other types of organisations) by funding international collaborative R&D and innovation projects. By participating, organisations from 37 countries (including Switzerland) can access public funding for international collaborative R&D projects in all fields. Projects must spotlight an innovative SME as the main project participant.
Eurostars joint transnational call for proposals MAR 2022
Submission deadline:
R&D and innovation project applications can be submitted between 21 January 2022 and 24 March 2022 at 14:00 CET.

HE-Space – Cluster 4

HE-Space – Cluster 4
Maximising the benefits for society and the economy, fostering competitiveness and innovation, reinforcing Europe's autonomy in accessing and using space: all this comprises the European Commission's "Space Strategy for Europe". Opportunities in this Cluster range from Earth observation and navigation systems, to enabling technologies such as launchers, propulsion systems, electronics and robotics.
Restrictions to the participation of Swiss entities may apply in some topics. For more information refer to the Euresearch website.
Topic Preview Space 2021-2022  
Next submission deadline: February 16th, 2022

BRIDGE Proof of Concept

The new call for BRIDGE Proof of Concept projects is open until 7 March 2022. Young researchers who want to apply their research results and realize an innovative product or service can submit their project proposal. Read more.
Submission deadline: March 7th, 2022

SNSF - JPIAMR

JPIAMR launches its 14th call. CHF 600,000 has been budgeted for Swiss project partners.
The call focuses on tackling the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance. The project teams should comprise three to six partners from different countries. The SNSF has set aside 600,000 francs for the Swiss partners in these teams.
Applicants from Switzerland must be eligible for the SNSF's project funding scheme. Along with the JPIAMR application, they need to submit an administrative application to the SNSF via mySNF (under Partnerships/JPIAMR).
Call on JPIAMR website
Registration for webinar
Submission deadline: March 8th, 2022

HE-MSCA - Staff exchanges

HE-MSCA - Staff Exchanges
The aim is to develop sustainable collaborative projects between different organisations from the academic and non-academic sectors (in particular SMEs), based in Europe and beyond. Exchanged staff benefit from new knowledge, skills and career development perspectives, while participating organisations increase their research and innovation capacities.
Possible for institutions in Switzerland to participate as “Associated Partner” with SERI funding.
Information
Euresearch MSCA Staff excahnges Info Event
Submission deadline: March 9th, 2022

SNSF - Doc.CH 

Doc.CH is aimed at promising researchers who wish to write a doctoral thesis on a topic of their own choice in the humanities and social sciences in Switzerland. Part of the doctoral thesis may be conducted at a host institution abroad if a corresponding request giving reasons is submitted.
Besides the salary of the doctoral student, the grant may include a contribution towards costs directly related to project implementation.
Submission deadline: March 13th and September 15th, 2022

SEFRI - NRP

The National Research Programmes (NRPs) are the federal government’s research funding tool to support research projects that develop knowledge useful in guiding decisions and practices – and thereby help to solve current challenges. At the request of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), the Federal Council periodically decides on the thematic focus of new NRPs and the budget for each.
Start of NRP Thematic Proposal Round for 2022/2023 – Call for NRP thematic proposals
On behalf of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) and in preparation for the launch of two to three new NRPs, the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) is currently seeking thematic proposals for new NRPs. The closing date for submission of thematic proposals for new NRPs is 23 March 2022. Please use only the submission form provided for this purpose.
Anyone (any natural person, legal entity or federal agency) may submit thematic proposals to SERI.
Submitting a thematic proposal offers the possibility of suggesting themes for a new NRP. These proposals should be easy to understand thematic outlines providing a brief explanation of the problem to be addressed, the main concerns underlying the proposal as well as the research activities aimed at achieving the desired objectives of the NRP. We do not require detailed outlines of scientific research projects.
NRP Mandatory requirements (PDF, 126 kB, 24.01.2022)

HE-Industry – Cluster 4

HE-Industry – Cluster 4
The European Commission’s strategic objective for European industry is to transform it into a clean, climate-neutral, circular and competitive part of the economy. Research and innovation actions in this Cluster focus on the processing industry, the construction sector, manufacturing and materials.
Restrictions to the participation of Swiss entities may apply in some topics. For more information refer to the Euresearch website.
Topic Preview Industry 2021-2022
Next submission deadlines: March 30th, 2022

SNSF - Project funding 

Under the project funding scheme, qualified researchers define their research themes and objectives themselves and conduct their project under their own responsibility.
The researchers can apply for funding of research costs and staff salaries, as well as of scientific cooperation, networking and communication; however, they may not apply for their own salaries.
Project funding
Submission deadline: April 1st, 2022

HE-Digital – Cluster 4     

HE-Digital – Cluster 4
Progress in digital technologies shape all sectors of the economy and society. Research and Innovation actions in this Cluster focus on strengthening the global competitiveness of the European digital sector while taking into account key environmental and societal challenges like sustainability or inclusiveness.
Possible for institutions in Switzerland to participate as “Associated Partner” with SERI funding.
Topic Preview Digital 2021-2022
Next submission deadlines: April 5th, 2022

BRIDGE Discovery

Innosuisse and the SNSF are launching the sixth call for proposals for the funding scheme BRIDGE Discovery.
The funding scheme Discovery is aimed at experienced researchers from all disciplines who wish to realise an innovation with great social or economic impact. They can submit a proposal on their own or as part of a consortium of up to three researchers. The project must be characterised by scientific excellence and a clear vision of a future application.
BRIDGE Discovery funds projects for up to four years. Grants cover the salaries of project employees and research costs directly linked to the project.
As of now, interested researchers can submit a letter of intent, which is mandatory for the submission of a full Discovery application, via the mySNF platform. All letters of intent must be submitted by 28 February 2022.
Submit your project
BRIDGE website
Submission deadline: May 2nd, 2022

FNS - COST

The SNSF funds COST projects within the scope of the recently approved COST Actions of the series CA191## or CA201##. Researchers with at least one year's experience since obtaining their doctorate who are actively participating in one of these COST Actions are eligible to apply.
Information
Submission deadline: May 5th, 2022

SNSF - SINERGIA
New deadline

Sinergia – interdisciplinary, collaborative and breakthrough.
Sinergia promotes the interdisciplinary collaboration of two to four research groups that propose breakthrough research.
The Sinergia regulations provide the legal basis for Sinergia proposals and grants, and describe the conditions for awarding a Sinergia grant.
Regulations on Sinergia grants (PDF)
Attention! New submission deadline : May 16th, 2022

HE-MSCA - Posdoctoral fellowships

HE-MSCA - Postdoctoral Fellowships
PostDoc research fellowships in all scientific domains with free choice of topic.
The conditions of participation in this call for institutions in Switzerland will be communicated as soon as possible.
Information
Planned opening date: April 13th, 2022 (TBC)
Submission deadline: September 14th, 2022

COST

COST funds pan-European, multi- and interdisciplinary, bottom-up networks of researchers across all science and technology fields. COST does not fund research itself, but provides support for networking activities carried out within COST Actions.
Following a decision by the General Assembly of the COST Association, institutions in Switzerland can still fully participate in COST activities and are also eligible to receive reimbursement from COST. In other words, the transition from Horizon 2020 to Horizon Europe implies no change to the participation of Switzerland in the COST program.
Information
Submission deadline: October 20th, 2022

More calls

CONTACTS

Dr Laure Ognois-Zaugg
Director Research Services

Dr Alex Waehry
Head European and international research support − Euresearch

Dr Caroline Loutre
Head National and regional support

Research Services website