For young researchers: the SNSF at the University of Basel

On 8 November 2013, the SNSF presented its funding schemes inside the main building of the University of Basel. The SNSF stages the Research Day at a different Swiss higher education institution each year. In so doing, it aims to provide researchers with comprehensive information about their funding opportunities at different stages in their careers.

At information stands, talks and workshops, around 280 visitors obtained first-hand information on the wide range of funding schemes offered by the SNSF. In conversations with SNSF employees, the visitors received answers to their questions along with information on the organisation, aims and offering of the SNSF. Most of the participants were young researchers, which is indeed what the SNSF was aiming for: "Our funding activities are focused on young researchers," Marcel Kullin, Head of the Careers division, explained in his introduction. He went on to say that the SNSF funds researchers at all stages in their careers and finances their mobility, in particular.

What are the researchers interested in?

During the panel discussion "The evaluation of proposals: a look behind the scenes" held in the afternoon, the participants showed great interest in the procedures that lead to the awarding of grants. Their questions were answered by five members of the Research Council. "How can the SNSF ensure that the evaluation procedure is objective?" was the most frequently asked question. The answer from the panel: by setting high evaluation standards in terms of quality, independence and fairness and neutralising any conflicts of interests through specific measures.

Another visitor wanted to know whether researchers can count on Switzerland being at the cutting-edge of research in future as well. In his reply, Martin Vetterli, President of the National Research Council, emphasised the importance of basic research and, in particular, of project funding. A view he had already expressed ahead of the event to the magazine of the University of Basel: "Funding of bottom-up research without predefined objectives is and will continue to be our core task."

The next Research Day will be held on 6 June 2014 at the University of Bern. Researchers from all higher education institutions are most welcome to attend.