Switzerland’s commitment to fostering excellence in education, research, and innovation (ERI) is reflected in its collaborative efforts with political, economic, scientific, and civil society stakeholders. International cooperation plays a strategic role, enabling Switzerland to remain a global leader in ERI. Below is an overview of key funding bodies and programs designed to support incoming researchers.
Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
Overview
The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) is Switzerland’s leading institution for promoting high quality, independent research across all scientific disciplines. It operates under a federal mandate to support fundamental research, nurture the next generation of researchers, and fund innovative projects throughout Swiss universities and research institutions.
Relevance for Incoming Researchers
SNSF funding schemes offer strong entry points for international researchers seeking to collaborate with Swiss institutions, contribute to frontier research, or join SNSF funded projects as doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers or external experts. The foundation supports international collaboration through project funding, global partnerships, and mobility schemes that strengthen scientific exchange and build long term research careers in Switzerland.
Key Opportunities for Researchers
- Mobility Grants for doctoral candidates: These grants allow PhD students employed on SNSF projects to spend 6–12 months abroad while remaining fully integrated into their Swiss research group. Mobility grants cover travel, living costs and conference fees and help researchers gain valuable international experience.
- Networking & collaboration support: SNSF offers multiple funding lines across career levels that encourage international cooperation, interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships with foreign institutions. Examples include supplementary measures and career schemes designed to advance scientific independence.
- Comprehensive funding schemes: The SNSF provides structured support for project funding, careers, programmes (e.g., NRPs, NCCRs), research infrastructures and international cooperation, enabling researchers to find funding suited to their discipline, stage and research objectives.
Innosuisse – Swiss Innovation Agency
Overview
Innosuisse is Switzerland’s official Innovation Agency, supporting science based innovation across academia, industry and society. It facilitates collaboration between research institutions and market partners to develop new products, services and technologies and acts as a springboard for national and international innovation activities.
Relevance for Incoming Researchers
For international researchers, Innosuisse provides direct pathways into Switzerland’s innovation ecosystem by supporting collaborative R&D projects that connect foreign research groups with Swiss academic and industry partners. It also offers access to international innovation programmes, networks, and startup oriented support structures that help incoming researchers translate scientific findings into market ready solutions.
What Innosuisse Offers
- Collaboration for innovation driven projects: Funding and support for science based innovation projects between academia and industry, nationally and internationally.
- Support for science based startups: Training, coaching, networking and internationalisation support for startup founders and early stage ventures.
- International innovation activities: Access to global markets, matchmaking with international partners and funding through programmes such as Eurostars.
- Project set up and networking: Assistance in identifying project partners and preparing joint innovation proposals.
Where to Find Active Calls
Researchers can browse current national and international calls via the Innosuisse website’s Support offers section, which lists all ongoing funding opportunities.
Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS)
Overview
Each year, the Swiss Confederation awards the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships to promote international exchange and research cooperation with over 180 countries. The scholarships are awarded by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS/ESKAS).
Who it’s for
- Early career researchers from abroad who have completed a Master’s degree or PhD can apply for Research Fellowships, PhD or Postdoc scholarships at Swiss HEIs.
- Arts Master’s scholarships are available for candidates from a limited number of countries at Swiss conservatories and universities of the arts.
Host Institutions & Supervision
Research scholarships are hosted by cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences, ETH Zurich/EPFL, or ETH Domain research institutes (PSI, WSL, Empa, Eawag). A formal commitment by a Swiss academic supervisor/host professor is a prerequisite.
Application & Country Specific Calls
Calls, eligibility and deadlines vary by country of origin; candidates apply via the Swiss representation (embassy/consulate) or the designated national office in their home country as indicated on the SERI page.
Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences
The Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences offer direct access to Switzerland’s largest scientific network, connecting experts across more than 150 professional societies and numerous research communities. They help newcomers navigate the Swiss research landscape by providing science-based insights, fostering exchange between disciplines, and supporting collaboration with academic and societal partners. Their mission includes strengthening early-career development, promoting responsible and impactful research practices, and creating opportunities for international engagement. Through their four academies and numerous initiatives, they enable researchers to integrate into Swiss research ecosystems and participate in cutting-edge scientific dialogue.
Overview
The Swiss Academy of Sciences supports early career researchers through targeted funding instruments that promote academic development and interdisciplinary engagement.
Funding Opportunities
- Scholarships & Travel Awards: SCNAT offers scholarships, travel grants and subject specific awards, including the Prix Schläfli, Chemistry Travel Award, and ACP Award, supporting doctoral candidates and young researchers.
- Support for Early Career Scientists: Financial contributions help strengthen academic careers and encourage inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration.
Overview
The Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciencesfosters high quality research in the humanities and social sciences by providing financial and structural support for researchers and member societies.
Funding Opportunities
- Travel Support: The academy reimburses travel expenses to support scholarly exchange.
- Early Career Award: SAHS awards one prize each year to promote researchers in the early stages of their careers in the humanities and social sciences in Switzerland.
Overview
The Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences (SAMS) promotes high‑quality biomedical and clinical research in Switzerland. It plays a complementary role to large‑scale project funding by the SNSF, strengthening the medical research ecosystem through focused support instruments and collaboration with partner foundations
Funding Opportunities
SAMS provides a portfolio of targeted funding programmes, thematic funds and scientific prizes designed to advance clinician‑scientist careers, research culture and priority fields such as clinical research training, biomedical ethics, neuroscience and emerging health topics. Calls, deadlines and application procedures are published centrally on the SAMS funding page, with applications submitted online via the dedicated programme pages.
Overview
The SATW strengthens technological innovation and international collaboration through targeted research partnerships and specialised funding instruments.
Funding Opportunities
- Germaine de Staël Programme: Supports Franco Swiss research partnerships by covering travel and accommodation costs for short research stays, open to all scientific disciplines.
- Funding for Member Organisations: SATW provides specialised financial support to its member organisations to promote technological development and professional knowledge exchange.
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) / Federal Government Research
Overview
The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) is the Swiss federal government’s specialised agency for national and international education, research and innovation policy. It coordinates federal research activities across multiple scientific domains and serves as an interface between policymakers, research institutions and international partners.
Relevance for Incoming Researchers
SERI coordinates federal research environments that can host or collaborate with international researchers - ranging from climate and atmospheric science to metrology and socio economic research - thereby offering entry points for joint projects, data access and policy relevant research in Switzerland’s federal network. Information and calls are published centrally by SERI (primarily German/French), while specific programmes and collaboration opportunities are implemented by the respective federal offices listed below.
Federal Research Offices Coordinated by SERI
SERI oversees and aligns research conducted by multiple federal offices, each offering research environments that may host or collaborate with incoming researchers:
- FSVO – Food Safety and Veterinary Office: Conducts research in food safety, animal health and veterinary sciences (research in the FSVO)
- FOH – Federal Office for Housing: Supports research on housing markets and living conditions (research in the FOH)
- SEM – State Secretariat for Migration: Conducts migration focused research relevant to social sciences (research in the SEM).
- MeteoSwiss – Federal Office for Meteorology and Climatology: Hosts research on climate, weather modelling and atmospheric sciences (research in the SEM).
- METAS – Federal Institute of Metrology: Provides research in measurement sciences and standards (research in the METAS)
- SECO – State Secretariat for Economic Affairs: Supports economic research, labour market studies and innovation related policy research
Additional Notes
More detailed information is available on the SERI website, primarily in German and French.
ETH Domain
Overview
The ETH Domain comprises Switzerland’s two federal institutes of technology, ETHZ and EPFL, along with four specialised research institutions: Eawag, WSL, Empa and PSI. Together, they deliver world class basic and applied research, operate unique scientific infrastructures and contribute to technological innovation and sustainable development.
Relevance for Incoming Researchers
The ETH Domain offers a highly international research environment with opportunities for collaboration, joint research projects, scientific services and access to large scale research facilities. Incoming researchers benefit from interdisciplinary research ecosystems, cutting edge experimental platforms, and participation in projects addressing global challenges such as climate change, energy systems, materials innovation and environmental sustainability.
Overview
Eawag is a leading water research institute conducting fundamental and applied research in aquatic ecosystems, water management, wastewater treatment and sustainable water use. It works at the interface of science and practice to support environmental protection and resource stewardship.
Opportunities for Incoming Researchers
- Collaboration in interdisciplinary water research projects spanning ecology, engineering and sustainability.
- Access to specialised laboratories, field research platforms and innovation programmes.
Overview
WSL conducts research on forests, biodiversity, landscapes, natural hazards, snow and ice — providing insights essential for sustainable land use and environmental protection in Switzerland and globally.
Opportunities for Incoming Researchers
- Participation in environmental monitoring, climate impact studies and landscape research initiatives.
- Cooperation with federal and international partners in applied sustainability research.
Overview
Empa is a research institute for materials science, engineering and technology innovation, developing solutions in areas such as energy systems, advanced materials, nanotechnology and circular economy concepts.
Opportunities for Incoming Researchers
- Collaborative research in material testing, energy technologies and mobility solutions.
- Access to state of the art experimental facilities and interdisciplinary innovation networks.
Overview
PSI is Switzerland’s largest research centre for natural and engineering sciences, conducting top level research in materials science, energy, environment, health and particle physics. It operates internationally unique large scale research facilities such as the Swiss Light Source (SLS) and SwissFEL.
Opportunities for Incoming Researchers
- Access to world leading photon and neutron sources, proton therapy facilities and advanced materials laboratories.
- Participation in high impact projects with more than 2,500 external researchers visiting annually.
research.swiss – International Research & Funding Gateway
Overview
research.swiss is a centralised platform created by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) in collaboration with Swissnex. It provides a comprehensive overview of Switzerland’s key funding instruments, calls for joint research projects, and mobility programmes, designed to support international scientific cooperation.
Relevance for Incoming Researchers
The platform serves as a single entry point for international researchers who wish to collaborate with Swiss institutions by offering clear access to funding opportunities, bilateral programmes, and international partnership mechanisms. It helps incoming researchers identify relevant research schemes, connect with Swiss institutions, and participate in global scientific exchange by streamlining information on collaboration opportunities across disciplines.
What the Platform Provides
- Funding Opportunities: Overview of major Swiss research funding instruments, including programmes supporting international cooperation.
- Joint Research Projects: Information on collaborative schemes with partner countries worldwide, highlighting thematic calls and bilateral cooperation instruments.
- Mobility Programmes: Access to mobility schemes that support short term and long term research stays in Switzerland.
- International Networking: Connection to Swissnex hubs and Swiss research stakeholders to foster global partnerships.
Note
The platform continuously updates open calls, funding deadlines, and partnership opportunities to support researchers seeking collaboration with the Swiss research ecosystem.