Though the second SNSF Project Funding deadline of this year is just over (1.10.2024), do remember that for internationally collaborative projects under the Weave / Lead Agency / International Co-Investigator Scheme agreements deadlines may vary. We are happy to support you with any issues concerning such applications. Furthermore, those seeking to develop a collaborative project with partners outside of Europe may have already started to think about the SNSF SPIRIT call, which is set to close on 5 November 2024.  Early career researchers of all disciplines who are within 4 years of their PhD defence might consider the SNSF Ambizione call (closes 1.11.2024), which can finance your own research project for a duration of up to four years. If you are thinking of applying with the UniFr as a host institution, do get in touch with us as soon as possible! Additionally, researchers who are within 8 years of their PhD defence and who have not lived in Switzerland for more than 12 out of the past 36 months are also eligible to apply for the Swiss Postdoctoral Fellowship, which can finance a postdoc project of up to two years (deadline 2.12.2024). 

The Swiss Network for International Studies (SNIS) is about to open its next call for projects in October. It funds projects over two years that fall within the realm of international studies, and which work with pluri- and/or trans-disciplinary methods. The pre-proposal deadline will likely be in February 2025. 

In terms of European research grants, it is exciting that, for the first time in several years, Swiss researchers can again apply for the ERC calls. The call for the ERC Starting Grant will close on October 15 while the ERC Consolidator Grant deadline is on January 14 2025. Do note that the SNSF will continue for at least another year to run the call confusingly also entitled SNSF Starting Grant. This has the same target audience as the ERC Starting Grant though some of the details differ. The SNSF Starting Grant will close on January 15 2025. Do get in touch if you have any questions concerning these calls and the current developments. Numerous further Horizon Europe calls are currently open (incl. for Swiss researchers) in the thematic clusters, particularly in topics related to Civil Security for Society (Smart Cities, Cybersecurity, Disaster-resilient Society), as well as topics connected to Energy Transition (Buildings), Energy supply and Cultural heritage. The complete list can be found here. 

Do not forget to check our “Open Calls” page regularly, and click on “subscribe” to add the various calls to your electronic calendar and never miss a deadline.

If none of the above-mentioned calls apply to you, you may wish to have a look at the Pivot RP database for research funding opportunities. You can log in to Pivot RP using your SWITCH-edu ID. Please note that you will get the best results when using English language keywords for your searches.  Here are a few curated searches to get you started:

- Fellowships and Postdoctoral Awards in the Arts and Humanities
- Funding for Work in the Political Sciences
- Prizes and Awards in the Chemical Sciences

Do get in touch with any questions about the Open Calls mentioned or the use of Pivot RP: research@unifr.ch.