Scientific Exchanges

Link up with scientists from abroad!

Scientific Exchanges is aimed at researchers who want to host their own scientific event in Switzerland, invite colleagues from abroad for a research visit to Switzerland, or visit their colleagues in another country.

Scientific conferences and workshops are the two types of event covered by the scheme. Research visits by Swiss researchers to other countries or by researchers from abroad to Switzerland are funded for a period of 1 to 6 months. For scientific events, the travel expenses and food and board costs of participants from abroad are covered, for research visits those of travelling guests.

The Scientific Exchanges funding scheme also supports the organisation of events that allow research communities to exchange best practices on how to develop a Data Management Plan, preparing research data and making it publicly available.

Terms and conditions for taking part

Applicants for scientific exchanges must be employed in Switzerland and must meet the personal requirements set out in the Funding Regulations and the General implementation regulations for the Funding Regulations. Their work-time percentage may lie under 50 percent, but should not be lower than 20 percent. Applications for scientific events may also be submitted by persons without a doctorate.

How To

Application

The applications must be submitted via the mySNF platform at least four months before the event or the visit.

Evaluation procedure

Applications are assessed according to the following criteria:

Quality, originality and relevance of the event/visit
Scientific expertise of the person to be funded and their contribution
Complementarity and additional benefits of the exchange
Feasibility of the event/visit

For events, another criterion is the participation of women speakers and young researchers.

Documents

FAQ

After a visit, can I calculate the entire grant as a lump sum?

No, expenses for travel and living costs must be kept separate.
Costs can be calculated as follows:
- Travel costs: actuals
- Living costs: planned flat rate according to the submitted budget
If this answer has not been helpful to you, please do not hesitate to write to us.
Can a PhD student submit a proposal for a research visit?

No, PhD students are not eligible for visits, though they can submit proposals for scientific events.

If this answer has not been helpful to you, please do not hesitate to write to us.
Can applicants submit a proposal for an event as well as one for a visit at the same time?

Yes, if all the criteria are fulfilled.

If this answer has not been helpful to you, please do not hesitate to write to us.
Can co-applicants be listed somewhere in the proposal?

The funding instrument "Scientific Exchanges" does not allow for co-applicants. Co-organisers of events can be mentioned under 2.7 ("General remarks on the project") and their CVs can be uploaded under 3.4 ("Other annexes").

If this answer has not been helpful to you, please do not hesitate to write to us.
Can I travel by car?

If an applicant travels by car, the SNSF will cover up to CHF 0.6/km, though only up to the allotted amount.

If this answer has not been helpful to you, please do not hesitate to write to us.
Can the Scientific Exchanges grant also provide financial support to researchers who wish to take part in conferences or other events outside Switzerland?

No, this option is not included in the funding instrument. In the case of scientific events, the funding instrument can only support participants from outside Switzerland. The events themselves have to take place in Switzerland; exceptions are possible in certain specific cases and should be discussed with the SNSF beforehand.

If this answer has not been helpful to you, please do not hesitate to write to us.
Exception: monthly rate of CHF 3500 for DAC countries: Can this be used for visits to as well as from the countries in question?

The monthly rates relate to the country the visitor is from. For instance, a Swiss researcher visiting Cambodia cannot use the higher monthly rate of CHF 3500, whereas a visitor from Cambodia to Switzerland can.

If this answer has not been helpful to you, please do not hesitate to write to us.
How long does it take before the evaluation results are communicated to applicants?

The evaluation process usually takes 2 - 2.5 months; however, there is no guarantee that any particular evaluation is completed in less than 4 months.

If this answer has not been helpful to you, please do not hesitate to write to us.
What are the financial responsibilities after a visit?

A regular financial report has to be submitted. Travel costs have to be documented (e.g. tickets listing the actual charge). Living costs can be documented with the confirmation form provided by the SNSF; this provides sufficient documentation and no actual bills or receipts have to be submitted.

If this answer has not been helpful to you, please do not hesitate to write to us.
Which costs are covered by a scientific exchanges grant?

The travel, room and board expenses of researchers from abroad who are taking part in the event. For research visits, the travel costs and food and board expenses of guests in Switzerland and abroad are covered.

If this answer has not been helpful to you, please do not hesitate to write to us.
Who can submit a proposal for a visit: the Swiss partner or the partner abroad?

Proposals can only be submitted by eligible persons employed by a Swiss research institution. Partners abroad cannot submit proposals.

If this answer has not been helpful to you, please do not hesitate to write to us.
Who does the SNSF transfer the grant to?

The grant is always transferred to the applicant's university or institution. Applicants should therefore contact their employer's finance department before requesting the release of funds.

If this answer has not been helpful to you, please do not hesitate to write to us.

News

Tour of Swiss universities

09.10.2018

In November and December 2018, the SNSF will set up information stalls at several higher education institutions in Bern, Fribourg, St. Gallen, Neuchâtel and Lucerne.

Tour of Swiss universities: Details
Tour de Suisse videos 2017

07.02.2018

The SNSF presented its funding schemes at various higher education institutions during its "Tour de Suisse" in November 2017. The videos of these presentations are now available in English, French and German on our Youtube channel.

Tour de Suisse videos 2017: Details
Tour of Swiss universities

20.09.2017

In November 2017, the SNSF will visit higher education institutions in Lugano, Basel, Lausanne, Zurich and Geneva. The aim of this "Tour de Suisse" is to present the SNSF funding schemes to researchers.

Tour of Swiss universities: Details
Scientific Exchanges

04.04.2017

The SNSF is optimising its support for international exchanges between researchers by merging its existing funding schemes Scientific conferences, International Exploratory Workshops and International Short Visits into one.

Scientific Exchanges: Details

Submission deadlines

All year round (at least 4 months before the event or visit).

Contact

(InterCo)
Scientific Exchanges
E-mail scientific.exchanges@snf.ch

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