Ambizione: scientific independence for 90 young researchers
The SNSF is awarding 90 Ambizione grants to young researchers this year. They will conduct their projects at universities, universities of applied sciences and other research institutions in Switzerland.
For the last ten years, the SNSF has launched Ambizione calls to promote promising young researchers from Switzerland and abroad. Scientific collaborators at higher education institutions can also apply for project funds.
In November 2017, 288 young researchers had submitted their Ambizione applications. 136 of them were invited for an interview. Following this two-step evaluation procedure, the SNSF awarded 90 new grants. The targeted share of female grant holders (35%) was almost achieved, with 30 grants (33.3 %) going to women.
Thanks to their Ambizione grant, the 90 researchers will be able to run their first independent project at a higher education institution in Switzerland. On average, they will receive 750,000 francs. Of the approved projects, 30% are in the humanities and social sciences, 46% in mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering, and 24% in biology and medicine. They generally last for four years.
The SNSF gives young researchers the opportunity to make a big step forward in their career. By doing so, it is making a major contribution to the education of young researchers in Switzerland.