Temporary Backup Schemes (TBS)
The acceptance of the "mass immigration initiative" on 9 February 2014 resulted in Switzerland being partially excluded from European research funding. The Temporary Backup Schemes (TBS) of the SNSF provided researchers working or planning to work at Swiss research institutions with a temporary substitute for funding schemes of the European Research Council (ERC).
In the context of the one and only call for TBS, issued in 2014, the SNSF awarded 27 SNSF Starting Grants and 21 SNSF Consolidator Grants to outstanding scientists for projects to be carried out at Swiss research institutions. The overall budget for these awards amounted to CHF 92 million.
Report on the SNSF Temporary Backup Schemes
Following an agreement between Switzerland and the EU on partial association with Horizon 2020 as of 15 September 2014, researchers working or planning to work at Swiss research institutions are again eligible to apply for ERC funding. However, this partial association is limited till the end of 2016. If Switzerland is not able to reach an agreement with the EU on freedom of movement by then, it may again be relegated to third country status, which would be detrimental to any further participation in Horizon 2020. What is already clear is that national funding initiatives such as the stop-gap Temporary Backup Schemes cannot compensate for the lack of European competition in the long run. Internationality and integration into the European Research Area are essential for the future of excellent research in Switzerland.
ERC Transfer Grants
In the context of Switzerland's temporary exclusion from European research funding, the ERC decided that ERC Starting and Consolidator Grants awarded in 2014 are not transferable to Switzerland. This means that recipients of these grants will lose the relevant funds if they accept a position at a Swiss institution and wish to start or continue their research project there. In order to prevent the loss of funds and safeguard Switzerland's appeal as a research location, starting 1 September 2015 the SNSF will be offering "ERC Transfer Grants" as compensation.
These transfer grants are exclusively aimed at researchers who have obtained a salaried position at a Swiss research institution and who were awarded either a Starting or a Consolidator Grant they responded to the relevant ERC calls in 2014. Access to the transfer grants via mySNF is restricted; the persons or institutions concerned are requested to phone or e-mail the contact given below.
TBS: Documents
Transfer Grants: Documents
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.
News
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20.07.2016
From 1 October 2016, the new deadline for all funding schemes of the SNSF will be 5 p.m. Swiss local time on the final submission date. This will allow the SNSF to offer optimised support during the submission process.
Applications: new deadline at 5 p.m. Swiss local time!: Details
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01.09.2015
Thanks to the new ERC Transfer Grants launched by the SNSF, researchers abroad who received an ERC Starting or Consolidator Grant in 2014 can continue their careers in Switzerland without losing any research funds.
ERC Transfer Grants as compensation: Details
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19.02.2015
The SNSF has awarded an SNSF Consolidator Grant to 21 excellent researchers wanting to work in Switzerland. In so doing, it has completed the core tasks linked to the transitional measures it implemented in place of the grants offered by the European Research Council (ERC), from which researchers in Switzerland had been excluded. Despite its successful completion, the scheme must remain a one-off for the SNSF in this form.
SNSF awards 21 Consolidator Grants: Details
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21.11.2014
Twenty-seven outstanding young researchers have received an SNSF Starting Grant. The funding level, duration and funding conditions are in line with those of the European Research Council (ERC). This transitional measure of the SNSF offered the Swiss research community an adequate substitute for ERC grants.
SNSF Starting Grants awarded to 27 young researchers: Details
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12.09.2014
According to the SERI, Switzerland and the EU have agreed on a partial association to Horizon 2020 as of 15 September. This means that researchers in Switzerland can again apply for grants of the European Research Council (ERC). The SNSF has therefore decided not to issue a call for SNSF Advanced Grants.
Horizon 2020: Switzerland eligible for ERC grants: Details
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11.04.2014
Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann today met with those in charge at the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). They discussed the current situation and further procedure with regard to the Temporary Backup Measures launched at short notice by the SNSF as well as Switzerland's possible temporary exclusion from Horizon 2020.
Federal Councillor Schneider-Ammann visits the SNSF: Details
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02.04.2014
Launched as a substitute for European funding schemes, the SNSF Starting Grants have met with a positive response: 145 researchers have submitted their applications to the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). The SNSF has also appointed a Commission for "Temporary Backup Schemes".
SNSF Starting Grants: researchers seize the opportunity: Details
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27.03.2014
The SNSF has received 145 applications for SNSF Starting Grants in response to the call for proposals. The SNSF Starting Grants are part of the backup measures offering excellent researchers a temporary substitute for ERC funding schemes, from which Switzerland has been excluded.
SNSF Starting Grants: 145 proposals: Details
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10.03.2014
Excellent researchers who are currently unable to apply to the European Research Council for ERC Grants at Swiss research institutions because of the successful mass immigration initiative will be able to apply for comparable grants at the SNSF in the context of transitional measures in 2014. The aim is to maintain Switzerland’s strong position as a centre of research.
ERC grants: transitional measure of the SNSF: Details