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.