Switzerland is introducing new transition schemes for ERC and MSCA applicants

CZELO

The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) announced transitional measures for two of the Horizon Europe mono-beneficiary instruments that are affected by Switzerland’s current status as a non-associated third country. The following two opportunities for researchers will open in October 2021:

  • The ‘SNSF advanced grant 2021 aiming at leading researchers who wish to conduct innovative, high-risk research in Switzerland. Interested parties need to register by 1 November 2021 and submit their proposals by 1 December 2021.Proposals will be evaluated in two stages by panels of international experts, similar to the panels established for the ERC Advanced Grants. International applicants who intended to apply for an ERC Advanced Grant to work in Switzerland and applicants based in Switzerland can submit their proposals to the SNSF.  
  • The ‘SNSF Swiss Postdoctoral Fellowships 2021 will open on 15 October and close on 15 December 2021, applicants must pre-register by 15 November 2021. The new funding scheme SNSF Swiss Postdoctoral Fellowships addresses early-career researchers who have eight or less years of postdoctoral experience. Applicants who intended to apply for an MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship to pursue research and training in Switzerland under Horizon Europe can submit their proposal to the SNSF.

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Transitional solutions will also apply to ERC Starting Grants and ERC Consolidator Grants for 2022 in the event that Swiss researchers are not eligible to submit project proposals for these calls.

Switzerland remains committed to the goal of a full association to Horizon Europe and other related programmes and initiatives as soon as possible.

More updates on Swiss participation in Horizon Europe and other related programmes can be found at the official webpage of Swiss Federal Council.