Practice-to-Science

From practice to a professorship at a university of applied sciences or a university of teacher education - it's only a small step!

The Practice-to-Science (PtS) funding scheme is part of an SNSF pilot project. Three calls were conducted in 2020, 2021 and 2023-2024. This scheme is currently being evaluated.

The SNSF awards PtS grants to qualified experts with proven practical experience who wish to join a university of applied sciences or a university of teacher education as a professor, and to newly appointed professors at a university of applied sciences or a university of teacher education who wish to strengthen the academic component of their dual scientific-practical skill profile. The time-limited positions offer the opportunity of obtaining higher qualifications and converting to a permanent position.

The PtS grants are available in all disciplines taught at universities of higher education and universities of teacher education. They are expected to contribute towards making use-inspired research more competitive.

The PtS grants comprise an amount of maximum 200,000 francs per year for a maximum duration of three years. They cover part of the project costs and/or part of the grantee's salary up to a maximum work-time percentage of 50% (or 0.5 FTE).

  • Participation requirements

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    ​The main participation requirements are listed below. Please read the Practice-to-Science Regulations or contact the SNSF if you are not sure whether you meet the participation requirements.

    The precise periods are calculated on the basis of the submission deadline for Practice-to-Science grants.

    • Applicants must have a doctorate or an equivalent qualification (i.e. three years conducting research as their main source of income since their higher education degree).
    • Applicants must have three years of practical experience (full-time) that is relevant to the research field and the proposed research project.
    • For the duration of the PtS grant, grant holders must be able to devote at least 0.5 FTE (50%) to their research work.
    • Applicants must be able to show that they are employed as a professor at a university of applied sciences or a university of teacher education for the duration of the requested PtS grant (first day of employment at the earliest 24 months before the day of the submission deadline) or prove that they have been assured of such a position as of the date start date of the PtS grant at the latest.
  • How To

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    ​Application

    Applications must be submitted via the mySNF platform.

    • mySNFExternal Link Icon
    • Guidelines for submitting a Practice-to-Science proposal - available by the beginning of March 2023

    Evaluation procedure

    PtS applications are evaluated in two phases.

  • Documents

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  • Members of the evaluation bodies

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    The list contains the names of the members of the Practice-to-Science evaluation body. This core panel can be modified or expanded depending on the number of applications submitted For the SNSF, interaction between applicants and members of evaluation bodies over applications is not compatible with academic best practices.

  • Supplementary measures

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  • FAQ

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    Do I have to be employed at a research institution to obtain a PtS grant?

    You don't have to be employed as an assistant professor at a university of applied sciences or university of teacher education at the time of submission. However, you need to submit a written confirmation guaranteeing that you will be employed as an assistant professor by the start date of the PtS grant at the latest.

    Where can I find information and guidelines for submitting a proposal?

    Detailed information can be found in the guidelines for submitting a proposal (see Documents section)

    Can one ask for an extension of a PtS grant?

    A PtS grant runs for between one and three years. The duration needs to be fixed when the application is submitted. Once the grant has been awarded, in principle no extensions are granted (exceptions to this rule are specified in paragraph 5.4 of the General implementation regulations for the Funding Regulations).

    Can I submit a PtS application if I am involved in another SNSF application at the same time?

    You may not hold any other career grants of the SNSF for the duration of the PtS grant. However, there are no restrictions regarding the funding schemes of other divisions.

    How much work-time (in percentage terms) must be devoted to re-search?

    The university of applied sciences or the university of teacher education where you are employed must allow you to devote at least 50% of your work-time (or 0.5 FTE) to your own independent research work.

    How much of the salary is covered by the PtS grant?

    ​The Practice-to-Science grant can cover salary costs up to a maximum work-time percentage of 50%.

    What costs are covered?

    The costs covered under the PtS budget are set out in Article 8 of the Practice-to-Science Regulations. Some of the costs covered are: a share of the salary costs of the grantee (see above) and certain project costs (see Clause 2 of the General implementation regulations for the Funding Regulations).

    Are exceptions possible with regard to the required research activity of three years (full-time equivalent)?

    No, exceptions are not envisaged.

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