NCCR for social sciences and humanities (SSH): additional call in July 2026
In January, the federal government launched six new National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs). In addition, it has set aside funds for an additional NCCR in the SSH, which will be selected through a separate procedure.
On 26 January 2026, President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), approved the launch of six new NCCRs. Among them is a distinctly interdisciplinary NCCR in which the social sciences and humanities (SSH) play an important role. At the same time, none of them has a primary focus on SSH issues. In this context, the EAER has decided to set aside funds for a further NCCR and to conduct a competitive selection procedure focussing on the SSH.
Disciplinary focus and timeline
The call is aimed at researchers from the social sciences and humanities and therefore expects NCCRs with a clear focus on issues in these fields. Information and criteria for the eligibility of interdisciplinary applications beyond the SSH domain are set out in the call document. In addition, the NCCRs should be based at two home institutions.
The SNSF will publish a more in-depth description of the selection procedure and a detailed timeline for this additional call for proposals by 6 July 2026 at the latest. The SNSF, together with the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), is organising a webinar for interested researchers and home institutions on 8 July 2026 from 11:00 to 12:00 (register via the link below).
Potential applicants will have to submit letters of intent to the SNSF at the beginning of September 2026. The submission deadline for outline proposals is scheduled for the second half of October 2026 and the federal government’s funding decision is expected in late 2027.
Division of tasks between the SNSF and the federal government
The NCCR selection procedure consists of several stages and is based on legally defined objectives and criteria. The SNSF evaluates the proposals according to scientific and structural criteria in order to recommend a shortlist of excellent NCCR proposals to SERI for funding.
SERI is responsible for assessing and prioritising the proposals recommended by the SNSF in terms of research and higher education policy. The head of the EAER makes the final funding decision.