210 million francs for creative research ideas
As part of its project funding scheme, the SNSF is supporting 314 new research projects with an average of 670,000 francs. Topics range from basic motor skills in children to the expansion of the universe.
Around 900 applications for project funding were submitted in autumn 2020. At the end of the selection process, the SNSF approved 314 proposals, which corresponds to a success rate of 37 per cent. "The scheme continues to be high in demand and this confirms its importance for scientific research in Switzerland," says Thomas Werder Schläpfer, member of the SNSF Executive Management. For up to four years, successful applicants will work with their team on a topic of their own choice.
Salaries of the project team and other costs
The SNSF invests an average of 670,000 francs or 210 million francs overall in the new research projects. The project leaders use this money to cover the salaries of doctoral students, post-doctoral researchers and other staff, as well as other costs.
Women lead 80 of the 314 projects. At 33%, their success rate this time is slightly lower than that of men (39%). 35% of the funded applications come from the humanities and social sciences, 33% from biology and medicine, and 32% from mathematics, engineering and the natural sciences. 19% of the project leaders are under 40 years old.
Researchers based at cantonal universities receive about 60% of the money. 26% go to the ETH Domain, 10% to universities of applied sciences or universities of teacher education and 4% to other institutions.
Thematically diverse
The project leaders and their teams come from all disciplines. Here are some examples of the topics they will tackle:
Humanities and social sciences: Patricia Funk (Università della Svizzera italiana USI) examines the lack of female professors at universities. What mechanisms of discrimination contribute to the low percentage and how does it affect students? Christian Herrmann (Zurich University of Teacher Education) deals with the development of basic motor skills in childhood. He explores how curricular and extracurricular factors influence their development.
Biology and medicine: Mirjam Heldner (University Hospital Bern) combines state-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging with conventional diagnostics and clinical examination to optimise the treatment for patients with calcified cerebral vessels. Based on images, Achim Walter (ETH Zurich) wants to systematically record the reaction of wheat to environmental influences - and thus predict its growth in a warmer climate.
Mathematics, natural sciences and engineering: Nina Hartrampf (University of Zurich) is exploring new, automated methods for the chemical synthesis of proteins and protein building blocks. At what speed is the universe expanding? Frédéric Courbin (EPF Lausanne) makes measurements using the so-called gravitational lensing effect.
"The thematic diversity of proposals never stops fascinating me," says Thomas Werder Schläpfer. "It highlights the creativity of researchers and lays the foundation for new insights that will provide a basis for further projects and future innovation."
Most important funding scheme
Twice a year, the SNSF awards project funding grants. It spends approximately half of its budget on this scheme. All experienced researchers working at a higher education institution or another scientific institution in Switzerland can apply for funding. The next evaluation cycle will conclude in autumn 2021 when the National Research Council will select the next grantees.