Foreign funding schemes
Some of the funding schemes operated by our partners in other countries can be combined with SNSF funding schemes or are open to researchers in Switzerland.
The SNSF offers a wide range of options for international collaboration. In addition, you can apply to funding schemes operated by our partners in other countries. These schemes are based on the principle of reciprocity and are intended to simplify research collaboration with countries with which the SNSF maintains a close dialogue. Below you will find information on schemes in Germany, Canada, the USA and Liechtenstein. Please feel free to make use of these opportunities.
Germany
German Research Foundation (DFG)
In addition to funding through the multilateral Weave agreement, the DFG’s Priority Programmes and Research Units are open to Swiss participation:
- Priority Programmes: participation at project level, researchers in Switzerland can submit applications under a German PI (maximum project duration in both countries: 36 months).
- Research Units: up to two Swiss subprojects or participations in German subprojects (maximum project duration in both countries: 48 months)
Applications are evaluated by the DFG in both cases.
Weave and other DFG funding schemes:
Canada
CIFAR
The SNSF has concluded a partnership agreement with the Canadian-based global research organisation CIFAR. This gives researchers in Switzerland simple access to this network of outstanding scientists. More information on collaboration and the available options can be found in the September 2023 news, which also lists the schemes currently available under the partnership agreement and from CIFAR.
Partnership agreement with CIFAR (news of September 2023)
Apply now:
Swiss-based researchers interested in participating in CIFAR programmes may send a short abstract with information about the relevant CIFAR programme, their profile and research interests to international@snf.ch. CIFAR will then select the candidates to be invited to the upcoming programme meetings, as the number of participants is limited.
Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
The SNSF and NSERC offer complementary opportunities for collaboration under which researchers in Switzerland and Canada each use the funding schemes in their home country. Please note the details of the applicable conditions (e.g. regarding the approved institutions).
The complementary funding options are as follows:
- The NSERC’s Alliance International Catalyst grants assist Canadian researchers in the natural sciences and engineering by supporting exploratory research activities and funding scientific exchange visits.
Researchers in Switzerland can use the SNSF’s counterpart programme, Scientific Exchanges to fund research visits or scientific events.
Alliance International Catalyst grants
Scientific Exchanges - Alliance International Collaboration grants provide research collaboration funding for researchers in the natural sciences and engineering in Canada subject under the condition that the Canadian partners are mentioned as international partners in a scientific project that has been approved in Switzerland. This substantially increases funding for Canadian project participation.
Researchers in Switzerland can include partners from other countries in projects funded by the SNSF and earmark up to 20 per cent of the budget for them.
Alliance International Collaboration grants
Project funding
- The NSERC’s Alliance International Catalyst grants assist Canadian researchers in the natural sciences and engineering by supporting exploratory research activities and funding scientific exchange visits.
USA
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
The SNSF, National Institutes of Health (NIH) and University of Bern ran a webinar informing researchers in Switzerland about the research funding options at the NIH. You can find out more about the NIH funding opportunities available to you and how to apply from the presentation and summary document.
Presentation: How to apply to NIH
Summary document: Applying for U.S. NIH GrantsLiechtenstein
Researchers in Switzerland can collaborate with researchers in Liechtenstein in the same way as they do with persons inside the country.