The European Science Foundation (ESF) was founded in 1974 as an umbrella organisation for national research funding organisations and research performing organisations with the objective of reinforcing scientific co-operation in Europe. The Swiss members are the National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the Council of the Swiss Scientific Academies (CASS).
The ESF is primarily a platform for science policy-making organisations but also offers researchers a series of funding schemes, which support cross-border research co-operation, networking and the expansion of infrastructures (Eurocores, Research Networking Programmes, Research Conferences, Exploratory Workshops).
The main instruments relevant for the SNSF are:
EUROCORES (Collaborative Research Programmes)
The EUROCORES promote collaborative research, networking and dissemination for broad and complex research topics which are best addressed through multinational collaboration. The ESF solicits new ideas from the scientific community through an annual call for topics with a view to creating large-scale European collaborative research programmes. Once the national funding agencies have agreed to participate in specific EUROCORES- programmes, the ESF launches a call for research proposals. For the SNSF, it is important to know as early as possible which subjects and initiatives are of interest to the research community in Switzerland. The ESF is responsible for the evaluation of the topic and project and for the general execution of the programme. The funding of the projects remains national and therefore, the SNSF financing rules apply.
A similar instrument is offered by the European Commission: ERA-NET.
Research Networking Programmes (RNP)
Research Networking Programmes support nationally funded research groups who address major scientific and research infrastructure issues. These long-term programmes must involve high-quality science and demonstrate the added value of being carried out at the European level. Networking activities like workshops, scientific exchanges or summer-schools are financed through the programme. The ESF launches annual open calls for submission of proposals.
A Research similar instrument also supports networking activities: COST.