Funding / Fellowships
The search for suitable sources of funding to pay for salaries, expenses and research funds is a time-consuming activity. Even with a position of postdoctoral researcher designed to run for several years, it is necessary to find additional means of funding activities relating to individual research.
By means of an Ambizione grant, the Swiss National Science Foundation makes it possible to complete an independent research project lasting several years. An important prerequisite is the necessary mobility experience (at least 12 months in a different higher education institution from that where the doctorate is being carried out). The SNSF fosters mobility at post-doctoral level with the Postdoc.Mobility scheme. For shorter stays, an application to the SNSF Scientific Exchanges scheme is also a possibility or to the Short Travel Grants of the University of Bern.
Excellent researchers can apply for an SNSF Starting Grant. This new funding scheme is the successor instrument of Eccellenza and PRIMA.
Advanced post-doctoral students can apply for support from the SNSF to implemented their individual projects (project funding). It should be noted that this support is not to be used to finance a personal salary and that proof must be provided of employment for the planned project time frame.
In Europe, the funding sources for early career researchers include the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships provided by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, which enable experienced researchers (i.e. with a doctorate) to enhance their career and job prospects through an activity abroad. The renowned grants of the European Research Council are highly competitive and include the Starting Grant (for researchers with between 2 and 7 years' experience after completing their doctorate) and the Consolidator Grant (for researchers with between 7 and 12 years' experience after completing their doctorate).
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) aim to promote international exchange and cooperation with grants for researchers (doctoral students as well as postdocs) for up to one year. Many countries offer government scholarships for Swiss students and researchers, these scholarships are managed by Swissuniversities. Swissuniversities offers in addition an overview of other fellowships abroad.
The foundation scene is confusing and extremely varied. Switzerland has a high concentration of foundations and depending on the specific needs in question, it is advisable to conduct a detailed search.
Through the UniBE Initiator Grants, the Office of the Vice President for Research offers a fellowship which supports post-doctoral students in preparing applications for major external funding for projects and individuals.