Exciting SNSF Starting Grants 2026 Call: Apply now for the funding opportunity for early-career researchers in Switzerland
Closing Date: 5 May 2026
Exciting SNSF Starting Grants 2026 Call: Apply now for the funding opportunity for early-career researchers in Switzerland
The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) has launched the Starting Grants 2026 call — a major funding opportunity for early-career researchers aiming to develop ambitious, independent research projects.
The scheme supports researchers who are ready to lead their own teams, offering long-term funding to strengthen academic independence across disciplines. Applicants must meet the SNSF Starting Grants eligibility requirements. Detailed information, including Swiss-specific conditions and institutional support, is available via the University of Geneva Grants Office
Overview
Grants for researchers wanting to lead their own independent project and research team in Switzerland.
The SNSF Starting Grants 2026 call is aimed at researchers interested in leading their own research project and team in Switzerland. These grants represent the SNSF’s highest level of career funding.
The call will be launched on 1 February 2026 and is open to all disciplines and research topics. Applicants must have several years of research experience following the completion of their doctorate, equivalent qualification or medical degree. However, individuals who have already achieved the objective of this call are not eligible. Applicants must also have a link with Switzerland.
Applications for an SNSF Starting Grant 2026 will, for the first time, be submitted in full via the SNSF Portal. Applicants whose project was rejected in a previous SNSF Starting Grants call may submit a second application regardless of the topic and evaluation of the first project.
For applicants who need to finance their own salary, the grant will comprise the project funds (max. 1 million francs) in addition to their salary. For applicants whose salary is already secured, the grant will cover the project funds (max. 1 million francs).
Parallel submission of the same or a similar project to funding schemes that are not funded by the SNSF is permitted. These include, for example, the ERC Starting Grants. However, double funding for thematically similar projects is not allowed. This restriction already applies while the SNSF evaluation process is in progress: If a similar project receives a positive decision from another funding scheme during this period, applicants must choose between accepting the funding offer or continuing with the SNSF evaluation.
What
SNSF Starting Grants call Candidates
To obtain a confirmation letter from the vice-rector for research, please follow these steps:
- Download the internal UNIGE letter, have it filled in by your supervisor in your host institution. It will be signed by Head of department and in principle countersigned by the dean of the faculty. This letter is meant to confirm internally (UNIGE) the aspects that are no longer covered by the SNSF form.
- Fill in the UNIGE RGO form
The form will ask you to upload the internal UNIGE letter in the form.
With these information, SNSF will submit the confirmation letter to the vice-rector for signature and send it to you as soon as possible.
Who
Applicants must have several years of research experience following their PhD – or an equivalent qualification or medical degree – during which they have already contributed to scientifically independent and impactful research in their field.
SNSF Starting Grants are open to all disciplines and topics.
When
****No later than Monday April 20, 2026 ****
Further information
The SNSF event of February 19, 2026 was fully booked. However, all of the information that was presented at the event is already available on this web page.
SNSF Starting Grants 2026 projects must be submitted by 5 May 2026.
Questions should be sent to [email protected]
Click Here To Apply
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