The budget items mentioned in rulings or in approvals issued during the running time of the grant and the corresponding amounts are regarded as approximations. Transfers between budget items are permissible without obtaining prior approval from the SNSF, provided the total awarded amount is not exceeded (total budget). The total budget must be used in accordance with the approved research plan.
In exceptional cases the SNSF may define binding budget items. In such cases, the amounts allocated to the individual items are binding, and it is not permissible to transfer amounts of money between budget items without prior written approval from the SNSF.
Significant deviations in the implementation of the research project and in the use of the awarded grant must be approved by the SNSF.
As regards the costs covered by the grant (eligible costs), please refer to Clauses 2.5 - 2.23 of the General implementation regulations for the Funding Regulations. In principle, the SNSF grant only covers project-specific costs.
General implementation regulations for the Funding Regulations
In no circumstances does the SNSF cover the following costs:
Standard IT equipment incl. hardware and software, scientific literature, tools and aids, and objects comprising the usual basic equipment of an operational scientific facility. Expenses for postage, phone calls, photocopies, translations, etc., are also not eligible. In addition, outlays for rent, electricity, water, insurances, maintenance and service, service centres and repairs are not regarded as eligible costs.