Funding opportunities for Postdocs

The following overview includes the most important national and international funding opportunities open to researchers with a PhD in all fields of research. A research stay abroad is essential for an academic career; do not hesitate to take advantage of the numerous funding opportunities.

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  • In Switzerland

    SNSF Ambizione

    Ambizione grants are aimed at young researchers (1-4 years after PhD) who wish to conduct, manage and lead an independent project.
    Max. project duration 4 years; applicant’s salary may be included.

    Margot Carcuro

    SNSF Starting grants Professorial Fellowships are aimed at outstanding researchers who are on their way to becoming professors.
    Max. project duration 5 years. Professorial Fellowships include project funds and the applicant's salary.
    Margot Carcuro
    ERC Starting grant Highly competitive European funding scheme aimed at young researchers (2-7 years after PhD) who are ready to work independently.
    Max. project duration 5 years; applicant’s salary may be included.
    Sara Caspani
    Bridge Proof of Concept Bridge (a joint program of SNSF and Innosuisse) supports projects at the intersection of basic research and science-based innovation. It is aimed at young researchers who wish to develop an application or service based on their research results. Marcello Triulzio
    ESKAS Swiss Government scholarships awarded to foreign scholars to pursue doctoral research in Switzerland. Arianna Imberti Dosi
    SNSF Spark Spark funds the rapid testing or development of new scientific approaches, methods, theories, standards, ideas for applications, etc. It is intended for projects that show unconventional thingking and introduce a unique approach.
    Max. project duration 12 months; applicant’s salary may be included.
    Suspended until 2027.
    Anna Lazzarinetti

    SNSF Flexibility Grant

    The Flexibility Grant offers researchers two options to balance their professional and private lives: on the one hand, it can provide funding to help cover the external child care costs charged to the researcher.  On the other hand, it can be used to help finance the salary of a support person, allowing the grantee to reduce his/her work quota. 

    Margot Carcuro

    MSCA Personal Fellowships (European)

    MSCA PF European fellowships are aimed to early-stage researchers of any nationality (0-8 after PhD) who wish to pursue a research and training stay in CH with a project in any discipline (12-24 months).

    Sara Caspani

     

  • Abroad

    MSCA Personal Fellowships (Global) MSCA PF Global fellowships are aimed to early-stage researchers of EU/CH nationality (0-8 after PhD) who wish to pursue a research and training stay outside Europe/CH with a project in any discipline (12-24 months+ 12 months return phase). Sara Caspani
    SNSF Postdoc.Mobility Fellowships aimed at postdocs (0-3 years after PhD) for a research stay abroad of 24 months (and possibly 3-12 months return phase). Margot Carcuro
    SNSF Postdoc.Mobility return phase Fellowships can only be submitted during an ongoing SNSF Postdoc.Mobility. It is intended to finance the initial research period (3 to 12 months) upon the applicant’s return to Switzerland. Margot Carcuro
    SNSF Scientific exchange

    The SNSF funds research stays of max. 6 months abroad.ser

    Research Service