The SNSF is actively involved in discussions concerning the realisation of a European Research Area (ERA) in which different levels of support for researchers would complement each other for the benefit of science in Europe. In order to contribute to shaping the ERA, SNSF is a member of both the European Science Foundation (ESF) and of EUROHORCs (European Heads of Research Councils), which it currently chairs.
SNSF position papers on the issue of European research can be found in the Dossier "EU Framework Programmes".
The SNSF provides or manages a number of funding opportunities for collaborations within Europe:
- SCOPES (Eastern Europe)
A programme for research collaboration with Eastern European Countries and the New Independent States of the former Soviet Union
- Enlargement contribution : Romania, Bulgarie
These two programmes (2011-2016) will support the implementation of three-years Joint Research Projects carried out by groups of researchers from Romania/Bulgaria, jointly with groups of researchers from Switzerland.
- International Short Visits
A programme offering funding for researchers in Switzerland to go abroad or researchers from elsewhere to come to Switzerland.
- International Exploratory Workshops
A programme that allows researchers working in Switzerland to organize workshops with partners from abroad.
- Bi- and multilateral agreements
Agreements to facilitate mobility within Europe ("Money Follows Researcher") and joint research projects between Swiss groups and scientists from a selected number of countries ("Lead Agency" or "Money follows Co-operation Line")
- Eurocores
Programmes coordinated by the ESF supporting multi-partner projects on specific topics (instrument of ESF)
- Research Networking Programmes
European networking activities for nationally funded projects (instrument of ESF)
- ERA-NET
Programmes launched in co-operation with other funding organisations on specific, pre-defined topics (instrument of FP7)
Links to other programmes and funding opportunities such as the EU Framework Programmes or COST can be found below.