Call for Research Projects 2026-2028
The Mobiliar Cluster For Resilience seeks new interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research projects focused on developing practical recommendations and/or solutions to enhance the resilience of Swiss society and the economy. The research cluster is funded by the societal engagement of la Mobilière coopérative. This cluster brings together researchers from various departments at the University of Fribourg to conduct comprehensive research on societal and economic resilience. By collaborating with partners outside academia—such as societies, neighborhoods, businesses, NGOs, and governmental and administrative bodies—the researchers work across disciplines to address and solve complex challenges and strengthening the resilience of Swiss society and the economy.
Economic and technological change, social and political upheaval and ecological challenges require flexible and sustainable solutions. Resilience is therefore a basic competence for a sustainable society and economy. It can only be strengthened through cooperation between society, business and science. This is why the research cluster for resilience at the University of Fribourg pursues a decidedly interdisciplinary approach.
For the funding period starting June 2026 and ends in December 2028, the research cluster will fund new and extend existing projects for up to 30 months through the following funding schemes:
- Projects initiated by professors can request funding for up to 200% of a full-time postdoctoral position, as well as research-related expenses (e.g., travel costs, acquisition of new materials). In general, professors can only be co-lead of one project.
- New Projects: At least two professors from different departments of the University of Fribourg must be involved. In addition to outlining their research projects, applicants may also describe their planned contributions to the success of the research cluster’s activities.
- Existing Projects seeking extension: The same criteria apply as for new projects. The composition of involved PIs and their roles may vary. To extend an existing project, applicants must demonstrate their current achievements and contributions to the research cluster’s activities, as well as their planned practical solutions to enhance the resilience of Swiss society and/or the economy.
- New Projects: At least two professors from different departments of the University of Fribourg must be involved. In addition to outlining their research projects, applicants may also describe their planned contributions to the success of the research cluster’s activities.
- Projects initiated by post-doctoral researchers can request funding for their own salary as well as research-related expenses (e.g., travel costs, acquisition of new materials). At the time of submission, applicants must have successfully defended their PhD and have been employed less than two years as postdoctoral researchers. A letter of support is required from two professors from different departments at the University of Fribourg who are willing to collaborate. One professor, from a different field than the PhD, should act as the main sponsor.
Application process
The selection process follows a two stage approach.
1. The project sketch must be submitted as a PDF by June 15, 2025, in French, German, or preferably English, using the form below.
Based on these sketches, the steering committee of the research cluster will invite applicants to develop a full proposal in July 2025.
2. In the second stage, invited projects submit their full proposal by September 30, 2025. These proposals will undergo a blind peer-review process. Based on the reviews, the steering committee will decide which projects to fund in November 2025.
To foster the matching process of interdisciplinary research groups, we are organizing an online get-together on April 17th and 18th at noon. The aim is to connect researchers interested in submitting a project and looking for additional collaboration partners.