Live and Work in Basel
Selection of Funding Opportunities in Switzerland and the EU
University of Basel
Research Fund University of Basel: funding for excellent junior researchers (Contact: Grants office)
Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) supports basic research in all scientific disciplines on behalf of the federal government. The SNSF offers a variety of funding instruments. The University of Basel’s Grants Office supports you in finding a suitable funding instrument, preparing your grant proposal, and more.
SNSF project funding: Supports research projects in all disciplines, with funding for individual researchers or collaborative projects.
Swiss Postdoctoral Fellowship (SPF): Aims to support early-career researchers with a mobility requirement (not residing in Switzerland for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to the deadline).
Ambizione Grants: Targets young researchers who want to conduct and manage independent research projects at a Swiss higher education institution.
SNSF Starting Grants: Supports researchers who are establishing their independence and building a research team.
SPARK Grants: aim fund the rapid testing or development of novel and unconventional scientific approaches, methods, theories, standards and ideas.
Swiss Foundations
Swiss Foundation Registry
Gebert Rüf Stiftung (pilot projects, rare diseases)
Novartis Foundation (postdoc grants)
Genentech/Roche (projects, fellowships)
Prof. Dr. Max Cloëtta Foundation (biomedical research)
Schweizerische Krebsliga (research grants)
Peter Hans Hofschneider Professorship (Stiftung Experimentelle Biomedizin)
Botnar Postdoctoral Excellence Programme (PEP)
Branco Weiss Fellowship
Swiss Life Jubiläumsstiftung
European funding programs
Programs like Horizon Europe, European Research Council (ERC) grants, and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions offer substantial research funding.
ERC Grants
ERC Starting grants (2-7 years after PhD)
Consolidator grants (7-12 years after PhD)
Advanced grants (leaders in their field)
Synergy grants (interdisciplinary, 2-5 PI's)
Proof of concept (to establish the innovation potential of ideas arising from ERC-funded projects)
Marie Curie Actions
Fellowships ( a variety of funding schemes for early stage, experienced, exchange scientists)
European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
Postdoctoral research (EMBO Fellowships)
Funds for independent research groups (EMBO Young Investigators; EMBO Installation Grants)
Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP)
Research Grants (Program Grants; Young Investigators' Grants)
European Foundations
Damon Runyon Fellowship (US citizen in foreign countries)
Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (PhD fellowships, European citizen or international students in Europe)