Temporary Backup Schemes (TBS)
Als Folge des Ja zur Masseneinwanderungsinitiative vom 9. Februar 2014 wurde die Schweiz zum Teil von der europäischen Forschungsförderung ausgeschlossen. Die "Temporary Backup Schemes" (TBS) des SNF boten Forschenden, die an Schweizer Forschungsinstituten arbeiteten oder dies planten, befristeten Ersatz für die Förderungsinstrumente des European Research Council (ERC).
Im Rahmen der 2014 einmalig ausgeschriebenen TBS vergab der SNF insgesamt 27 SNSF Starting Grants und 21 SNSF Consolidator Grants an hervorragende Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler für ihre Forschungsprojekte an einer Schweizer Forschungsinstitution. Das zugesprochene Gesamtbudget betrug rund 92 Millionen Franken.
Report on the SNSF Temporary Backup Schemes
Da sich die Schweiz und die EU auf eine Teilassoziierung an Horizon 2020 per 15. September 2014 einigen konnten, sind Forschende, die an Schweizer Forschungsinstituten arbeiten oder dies planen, seither wieder zu den Ausschreibungen des ERC zugelassen. Die Teilassoziierung ist jedoch befristet bis Ende 2016. Kann die Schweiz in der Frage der Personenfreizügigkeit bis dann keine Einigung mit der EU erzielen, droht ihr wieder die Rückstufung auf Drittstaat-Status mit den entsprechenden negativen Folgen für die weitere Teilnahme an Horizon 2020. Was heute schon klar ist: Eine nationale Förderung wie die als Notlösung lancierten "Temporary Backup Schemes" kann keinen langfristigen Ersatz für den europäischen Wettbewerb bieten. Internationalität - und damit auch die Einbindung in den Europäischen Forschungsraum - ist für die Spitzenforschung in der Schweiz unerlässlich.
Transferbeiträge ERC
Im Zusammenhang mit dem temporären Ausschluss der Schweiz von der europäischen Forschungsförderung hat der ERC entschieden, dass Grants, die im Rahmen der Ausschreibungen 2014 für ERC Starting und Consolidator Grants gesprochen wurden, nicht in die Schweiz transferierbar sind. Dies bedeutet, dass die Empfängerinnen und Empfänger dieser Grants ihre Forschungsmittel verlieren, wenn sie an eine Schweizer Institution berufen werden und ihr Projekt dort durch- oder fortführen möchten. Um dies zu verhindern und die Attraktivität des Forschungsplatzes Schweiz weiterhin zu gewährleisten, bietet der SNF ab dem 1. September 2015 “Transferbeiträge ERC“ als Kompensation an.
Diese Transferbeiträge sind ausschliesslich für Forschende bestimmt, die an eine Forschungsinstitution in der Schweiz berufen worden sind, ihr Salär von dort erhalten und im Rahmen der beiden oben genannten ERC Calls einen Grant erhalten haben. Es gibt keinen öffentlichen Zugang zu den Transferbeiträgen via mySNF; die betroffenen Personen bzw. Institutionen können sich telefonisch oder per Email an die angegebene Kontaktadresse wenden.
TBS: Dokumente
Transferbeiträge: Dokumente
News
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20.07.2016
Um bei der Gesuchseinreichung einen optimalen Support gewährleisten zu können, gilt ab dem 1. Oktober 2016 für alle Förderungsinstrumente des SNF am Stichtag neu eine Deadline von 17:00 Schweizer Lokalzeit.
Gesuche: Deadline neu um 17:00 Schweizer Lokalzeit!: Details
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01.09.2015
Dank der neuen "Transferbeiträge ERC" des SNF können Forschende im Ausland, die 2014 einen ERC Starting oder Consolidator Grant erhalten haben, einer Berufung in die Schweiz folgen, ohne ihre Forschungsmittel zu verlieren.
Transferbeiträge ERC als Kompensation: Details
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19.02.2015
Der SNF vergibt an 21 hervorragende Forschende in der Schweiz einen SNSF Consolidator Grant. Damit hat er seine Übergangsmassnahmen als Ersatz für entgangene Förderungsgelder des European Research Council (ERC) wie geplant umgesetzt und den zentralen Teil seiner Arbeit abgeschlossen. Trotz der erfolgreichen Durchführung muss eine Initiative in dieser Form für den SNF einmalig bleiben.
Der SNF vergibt 21 SNSF Consolidator Grants: Details
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21.11.2014
27 hervorragende junge Forschende erhalten einen SNSF Starting Grant. Finanzierung und Dauer des Beitrags sowie die Beitragsbedingungen sind ähnlich wie bei den Grants des European Research Council (ERC). Mit dieser Übergangsmassnahme hat der SNF für Forschende in der Schweiz einen adäquaten Ersatz für die ERC-Beiträge bereitgestellt.
SNSF Starting Grants an 27 junge Forschende vergeben: Details
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12.09.2014
Die Schweiz und die EU haben sich gemäss SBFI auf eine Teilassoziierung an Horizon 2020 per 15. September geeinigt. Damit können sich Forschende in der Schweiz wieder für die Ausschreibungen des European Research Councils (ERC) bewerben. Der SNF verzichtet daher auf die Ausschreibung von SNSF Advanced Grants.
Horizon 2020: Schweiz zu ERC-Grants zugelassen: Details
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02.04.2014
Die als befristeter Ersatz für die Förderung auf europäischer Ebene lancierten SNSF Starting Grants haben Anklang gefunden: 145 Forschende haben beim Schweizerischen Nationalfonds (SNF) ihre Gesuche eingereicht. Zudem hat der SNF die Mitglieder der Kommission für die "Temporary Backup Schemes" bestimmt.
SNSF Starting Grants: Chance genutzt: Details
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10.03.2014
Exzellente Forschende, die sich zur Zeit aufgrund der Annahme der Masseneinwanderungsinitiative nicht mehr beim European Research Council für ERC Grants an einer Schweizer Forschungsinstitution bewerben dürfen, sollen dies im Rahmen einer Übergangsmassnahme im Jahr 2014 beim SNF tun können. Ziel ist es, den starken Forschungsplatz Schweiz zu erhalten.
ERC Grants: Übergangsmassnahme des SNF : Details
FAQ Temporary Backup Schemes
a) I am a Principal Investigator (PI) with an SNSF Starting/Consolidator grant. Can I flexibly choose between a Swiss or a EU-member state host institution for my grant, and does the grant imply any restrictions?
Yes, you are free to choose between a Swiss or a EU-member state host institution. The only restriction is that the host institution must employ the PI for at least the duration of the project. The work-time percentage will depend on how much time the PI will devote to the project, but it must be at least 50%. Furthermore, he/she must spend at least 50% of his/her total working time in Switzerland or in an EU member or associated state.b) Can an SNSF Starting/Consolidator grant be hosted at two different institutions, depending on how the personnel costs are distributed (for instance 40% at a foreign institution and 60% at a Swiss institution)?
No, the grant should be hosted at a single institution, which will act as the participating legal entity. The holder of an SNSF Starting/Consolidator grant may however be employed at two different institutions.c) I am a Principal Investigator of an SNSF Starting/Consolidator grant and affiliated with two host institutions. Can I use the grant to pay the salaries of people employed at both institutions?
Yes, your grant can be used to pay the salaries of employees at different institutions (Swiss or EU-member state).d) Do the SNSF Starting/Consolidator grants cover family allowances for those members of the project who have children?
Yes, the SNSF Starting/Consolidator grants cover family allowances in line with the conditions set for the awarded grant. For guidelines on the rates for employees and for social contributions refer to the following document: e) I am a Principal Investigator with an SNSF Starting/Consolidator grant. Can I be employed at two institutions at a total work-time percentage that exceeds 100%? If yes, is there a maximum total percentage?
No, the total work-time percentage cannot exceed 100%.f) I am a Principal Investigator with an SNSF Starting/Consolidator grant. Can I delay the start of the grant and, if yes, for how long?
Yes, a delay is possible until one year after the date of the SNSF decision letter.g) Why not run both an SNSF Starting/Consolidator grant and a grant received later from the ERC, e.g. submitted in 2016 in the call ERC-StG/CoG-2016 (start date February 2017)?
The SNSF cannot “prohibit” SNSF Starting/Consolidator grant holders to apply (and potentially receive) ERC grants at a later stage.
However, both the ERC and the SNSF require a minimum work-time of 50% at a host institution and the applicant should devote 50% of his/her working time to the project. In addition, he/she will have to work for the host institution (e.g. teaching). Hence, the SNSF considers that two ERC-type grants in parallel are not feasible – the same rule is applied by the ERC. Consequently, if a researcher should obtain an ERC grant in any call issued after the ERC Starting/Consolidator Grant call 2014, the SNSF will consider him/her not eligible for any other SNSF funding for the time frame of the overlap.h) How does the SNSF keep track of the time devoted to the SNSF Starting/Consolidator project? For the ERC you need to commit 50% of your working time (recorded in time sheets) - how does this work at the SNSF?
The SNSF also requires holders of an SNSF Starting/Consolidator Grant to devote 50% of their working time to the project. However, the SNSF does not demand the keeping of time sheets and assumes that the grantees who accepted this commitment will act with integrity.i) I am a Principal Investigator with an SNSF Starting/Consolidator grant. Is it possible for me to apply for other SNSF grants?
Yes, the SNSF Starting or Consolidator grant holders can submit proposals in other SNSF funding schemes such as project funding or R’Equip, as long as they are thematically distinct and provided no ERC grant is remaining.j) I am a Principal Investigator with an SNSF Starting/Consolidator grant which was expected to cover my own salary. Recently, I have been awarded a professorship by my host institution. Is it possible to reallocate the funds attributed to my own salary to finance additional personnel such as postdocs or PhD students?
Yes, the budget allocated to the PI’s salary can be used for a different purpose. No amendment to the grant agreement is needed, but the PI needs to send the SNSF a written request and justification concerning the reallocation of the funds and the employment of additional personnel.
FAQ ERC Transfer Grants
a) I am the beneficiary of an ERC-2014-StG/CoG grant and would like to conduct my project at a Swiss host institution. Can I use the ERC Transfer Grant to pay my own salary?
No, the ERC Transfer Grants are exclusively aimed at researchers who have obtained a salaried position at a Swiss research institution and whose salary is therefore covered in full. The ERC Transfer Grant cannot be used to cover the applicant’s full salary or parts of it.b) I am the beneficiary of an ERC-2014-StG/CoG grant and was recently appointed to a permanent position at a Swiss host institution. I have already concluded the Grant Agreement with my originally envisaged host institution, but have not yet started my project. How should I proceed to apply for an ERC Transfer Grant?
Before submitting an ERC Transfer Grant application, the beneficiary should inform his/her original host institution about the transfer of the grant to Switzerland. He/She should then consult with the future Swiss host institution regarding the transfer procedure and the resources that can be allocated to the beneficiary. Subsequently, the Grant Agreement with the ERC should be cancelled and the beneficiary should contact the SNSF (e-mail:
ctbs@snf.ch , tel: +41 31 3082 274) to submit his/her application.c) I am the beneficiary of an ERC-2014-StG/CoG grant and was recently appointed to a permanent position at a Swiss host institution. I have concluded a Grant Agreement with my current host institution and already started my project. How should I proceed to apply for an ERC Transfer Grant?
Before submitting an ERC Transfer Grant application, the beneficiary should inform his/her original host institution about the transfer of the grant to Switzerland. He/She should then consult with the future Swiss host institution regarding the transfer procedure and the resources that can be allocated to the beneficiary. Subsequently, the Grant Agreement with the ERC should be cancelled and the beneficiary should contact the SNSF (e-mail:
ctbs@snf.ch , tel: +41 31 3082 274) to submit his/her application.d) Must I withdraw my ERC grant before submitting my application for the ERC Transfer Grant or could it be done during the transfer process?
The beneficiary of an ERC-2014-StG/CoG who wishes to transfer his/her grant to Switzerland needs to upload a financial report when applying for the ERC Transfer Grant, indicating the amount of funds remaining for his/her project. Thus, the grant holder needs to inform the ERC about his/her intention to transfer the grant to Switzerland in order to receive such a final financial report.e) I would like to transfer personnel to Switzerland along with my ERC-2014-StG/CoG. How can I ensure that there will be no funding gap in the course of the transfer?
If the final financial report from the ERC is not available at the time of submitting the ERC Transfer Grant application, the SNSF will accept a confirmation from the applicant’s current host institution, indicating the prospective balance of the project at the time of the transfer. The final financial report from the ERC with the actual final balance will have to be submitted once available.f) Given that the salary rates in Switzerland differ significantly from European countries, how should I deal with the resulting reduced resources for personnel? How can I ensure that the research can be conducted as originally planned?
The SNSF cannot provide more funds than originally awarded by the ERC. Hence, the applicant should discuss the possibility of additional funding with the host institution. When submitting the application, the applicant may adjust his/her research plan according to the new resources available. Significant changes, particularly concerning staff members and collaborations, must be explained and justified.g) Based on the regulations governing the conversion of an ERC grant into an SNSF Transfer Grant, applications must be submitted to the SNSF no later than three months before the start of the project. Does the grant holder of the ERC-2014-StG/CoG need to be employed at the Swiss host institution already at the time of submission?
No. However, when submitting the application for the ERC Transfer Grant, the applicant needs to provide proof that he/she will be employed by the Swiss host institution as of the starting date and for the entire duration of his/her Transfer Grant.h) What are the rules regarding the salaries of personnel employed in the context of an ERC Transfer Grant?
The salaries for doctoral students, postdoctoral or technical positions to be covered by the ERC Transfer Grant can exceed the range indicated in the general implementation regulations for the Funding Regulations of the SNSF, provided they fulfill the conditions set out by the concerned host institution.i) I am a Principal Investigator with an ERC Transfer Grant. Is it possible for me to apply for other SNSF grants?
Yes, ERC Transfer Grant holders can submit proposals in other SNSF funding schemes, such as project funding or R’Equip.