Research support
This section of the website is dedicated to Research Support and provides USI researchers with:
- Information on all open calls for research projects and information events;
- Specific information on each funding programme for PhD students, postdocs and experienced researchers;
- Support for the preparation of applications;
- Support and advice to write a Data Management Plan;
- Research project administration;
- Technology transfer activities.
This information and support is provided by the Research and Transfer Service of USI (Università della Svizzera italiana), whose mission is to support USI researchers in their scientific activities.
The service hosts the regional Euresearch office, a non-profit organisation funded by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) which promotes and facilitates the participation of researchers, organisations and companies in European R&I projects and programmes.
Research USI in facts and figures
Focus of the week:
SNSF - Sinergia
Sinergia promotes interdisciplinary collaboration between two to four research groups whose project involves breakthrough research, distinguished by a high potential for shifting or invalidating paradigms.
Sinergia projects may last from one to four years. A maximum amount of CHF 3.2 million may be requested.
If there are 3 or more applicants, one applicant can be based abroad if their expertise is essential.
After this call of Spring 2023, the SNSF will integrate the Sinergia programme into project funging along with its budget.
USI call for projects on Open Science and Open Research Data
USI promotes the present call for projects aimed to fund initiatives related to Open Science and Open Research Data. The call invites projects with the objective to foster the participation of USI in the development of competences and resources in these two fields. Eligible projects deal with, but are not limited to:
- training activities dedicated to OS and ORD
- awareness raising events
- participation to national and international initiatives
- consideration of practices to develop citizen science
- development of new data management platforms.
Projects of different sizes, between CHF 10’000 and 50’000, and of different durations, between 3 and 18 months, can be proposed, by professors, MER, group leaders, post-docs and members of affiliated institutes.
SNSF - Project Funding
SNSF Projects are open to all research fields. Eligible applicants are experienced researchers employed at least at 50% for the duration of the project who have good track records and are in the position to perform independent research.
The funding period ranges from one to four years, with grants starting at CHF 50'000 (minimum amount).
Within the scope of project funding, applicants may hold only one grant during the same funding period. However, the SNSF may award a second grant if the second project has a different thematic and makes an important contribution.
Read more
SNSF - Lead Agency, now also possible with USA
The Lead Agency process is aimed at researchers in Switzerland who wish to conduct a cross-border research project, together with applicants in a country that has signed an agreement with the SNSF. It's not a funding scheme in its own right, but part of the project funding scheme.
A new agreement between the SNSF and the National Science Foundation simplifies cooperation between researchers in Switzerland and USA, after the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concluded in November 2021.