SNSF Starting Grants 2027: CHF 1 Million Research Grant for Independent Researchers to Lead a Research Team in Switzerland

The SNSF Starting Grants 2027 offer an exceptional research funding opportunity for researchers ready to establish themselves as independent research leaders in Switzerland. Funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), the programme enables researchers to carry out an independent research project and build and lead a research team in Switzerland.

The SNSF Starting Grants represent the SNSF’s highest level of career funding and are open to all research disciplines and topics. Successful applicants can receive up to CHF 1 million in project funding for a maximum period of five years, with additional funding potentially available to cover the applicant’s own salary where the eligibility conditions are met.

For the 2027 call, applications open on 1 February 2027, with the final submission deadline set for 4 May 2027 at 17:00 CET (Swiss local time).

About the SNSF Starting Grants 2027

The SNSF Starting Grants are designed for researchers who are moving towards an established level of scientific independence. The programme supports researchers who are ready to develop and conduct their own research, attract research funding and take responsibility for a research team.

The goal is not simply to finance another research project. The grant is intended to support researchers at a significant career transition: from demonstrating scientific independence to becoming established research leaders who can make a substantial contribution to their field.

Applicants are therefore expected to demonstrate significant research achievements since obtaining their PhD, medical degree or equivalent qualification. They should have produced original research outputs that have undergone appropriate quality assurance and should be able to design, plan and conduct their proposed project without supervision.

The SNSF also expects applicants to demonstrate a broad research network and experience in mentoring or supporting less experienced researchers in academic or extra-academic environments.

SNSF Starting Grants 2027 Benefits

One of the major attractions of the SNSF Starting Grants 2027 is the scale of funding available to successful researchers.

Up to CHF 1 Million in Project Funding

Applicants can request a maximum of CHF 1 million in project funds for a project lasting up to five years.

The project budget can support costs directly related to achieving the research objectives, including project staff, equipment, research materials, travel, conferences, workshops, research data access, infrastructure use and other eligible research expenses.

Additional Salary Funding

Researchers who need funding for their own salary may request their salary in addition to the project funds.

This means the CHF 1 million ceiling applies to project funding; it does not necessarily represent the total amount that an eligible applicant can receive when their own salary is also funded.

Applicants who already have an appropriate secured position for the full duration of the grant generally request project funding only.

Five-Year Research Project

The SNSF Starting Grant can support a project for a maximum of five years. Projects that are shorter than five years receive a correspondingly reduced budget based on the duration of the project.

Independence and Research Leadership

The grant is designed to help researchers establish themselves as independent research leaders. Host institutions must provide conditions that allow the grantee to manage the project, research funds and team independently, while also providing access to appropriate infrastructure, equipment and other institutional resources.

Open to All Research Disciplines

The SNSF Starting Grants 2027 are not restricted to one academic field. Researchers from all disciplines and research topics can apply, provided they satisfy the personal, formal and scientific requirements of the call.

Who Can Apply for the SNSF Starting Grants 2027?

The SNSF Starting Grants are intended for researchers who are at the R3 career stage, meaning they are moving towards the level of an established independent researcher.

Applicants must already have demonstrated scientific independence but must not have reached the level that the Starting Grant is designed to support.

To be considered, applicants must satisfy all three personal eligibility requirements by 4 May 2027:

1. The eligibility window requirement
2. The career-stage requirement
3. The Swiss-link requirement

In addition, applicants must hold a qualifying academic or professional qualification.

Academic Qualifications Required

Applicants must hold one of the following:

• A PhD
• A medical degree
• A qualification equivalent to a PhD

The SNSF evaluates the applicant’s research experience and qualifications according to the rules established in the call document.

Eligibility Window for PhD Holders

Researchers applying on the basis of a PhD must satisfy specific research-experience and timing requirements.

Applicants must have:

• At least two years of research experience after the PhD defence
• An average workload of at least 0.8 FTE during the relevant research experience
• Their application must be submitted no more than eight years after the PhD defence

The research experience may be obtained in an academic or extra-academic research environment.

The relevant period is calculated from the oral defence of the relevant degree up to 4 May 2027.

Eligibility for Applicants with a Medical Degree

Applicants applying on the basis of a medical degree have a different eligibility framework.

They must have:

• At least three years of clinical work
• At least two years of research experience
• Research experience undertaken at an average workload of at least 0.8 FTE
• An application submitted no more than 12 years after the medical degree

The SNSF also takes into consideration the appropriate research activities associated with medical training when evaluating research achievements.

Eligibility Through a Qualification Equivalent to a PhD

Researchers who hold a qualification equivalent to a PhD can also apply.

For this route, the qualification is defined in the call document as involving three years of research activity at an average workload of 0.8 FTE after a higher education degree.

Applicants must then have at least two additional years of research experience at an average of 0.8 FTE and must submit their application no more than eight years after obtaining the equivalent qualification.

Can the Eligibility Window Be Extended?

Yes, an extension may be possible in certain circumstances.

The SNSF permits extensions of the eligibility window for reasons covered under the relevant SNSF General Implementation Regulations. However, an extension is not automatic. It must be approved by the SNSF Administrative Office.

Applicants requesting an extension should contact the SNSF at stg@snf.ch and provide the relevant supporting documentation before submitting their application.

Career Stage Requirement

Applicants must be at the R3 career stage.

The purpose of the SNSF Starting Grant is to help researchers transition into an established independent research leadership position. Consequently, researchers who have already achieved this objective are not eligible.

An applicant is considered to have already reached the objective if, by the application deadline, they are already leading an independent research group of approximately two to three people, typically exceeding 2.0 FTE.

The objective can also be considered achieved when an applicant already holds, or has a binding agreement for, a position that enables them to lead their own research group and they have already received or been awarded significant funding from their institution, the SNSF or another funding source.

These are benchmarks, so applicants who are uncertain about their situation are encouraged to contact the SNSF before submitting.

Swiss-Link Requirement

A particularly important requirement for international researchers is the Swiss-link.

The SNSF does not provide a simple country-based eligibility list. Instead, applicants must demonstrate a qualifying connection with Switzerland through at least one of the following routes:

1. Research Employment in Switzerland

The applicant has been employed in a research position equivalent to at least two years, with an average workload of at least 80% (0.8 FTE), at a Swiss research institution in the higher education sector in Switzerland.

2. Swiss Nationality

The applicant is a Swiss national.

3. Swiss Higher Education Degree

The applicant holds a qualifying degree from a Swiss higher education institution, including a:

• Master’s degree
• PhD
• MD/FMH
• Equivalent qualification

The call document specifies that international organisations located in Switzerland, such as CERN, do not by themselves satisfy the Swiss-link requirement unless the applicant also has an appropriate affiliation with a Swiss higher education institution.

Therefore, international researchers can apply, but they must satisfy one of the SNSF’s specified Swiss-link conditions.

Who Is Not Eligible?

Researchers who have already reached the independent research leadership level targeted by the Starting Grants cannot apply.

Applicants must also pay attention to restrictions concerning other SNSF funding applications and existing grants.

For example, applicants cannot normally have another SNSF application under evaluation when the requested funding periods overlap, although exceptions exist for one-off calls such as National Research Programmes and National Centres of Competence in Research.

Importantly, researchers who submit an Ambizione application under the 2026 call cannot apply for the SNSF Starting Grants 2027.

Can You Apply for the SNSF Starting Grant More Than Once?

Yes, but only under a specific limit.

If an SNSF Starting Grant proposal is rejected after evaluation, the applicant may submit one further Starting Grant application.

This second application may concern:

• The same project, revised; or
• An entirely new project.

The topic and ranking of the previous application do not determine whether the applicant can make the second submission. Each proposal is evaluated independently.

Can You Apply for an ERC Starting Grant at the Same Time?

Parallel applications to other non-SNSF funding schemes, including ERC Starting Grants, are permitted.

However, double funding is not permitted. If another substantial R3-level career grant is approved while the SNSF Starting Grant application is being evaluated, the applicant must inform the SNSF and choose between accepting the other grant or continuing with the SNSF evaluation.

Host Institution Requirements

A successful SNSF Starting Grant must be hosted by an eligible higher education or research institution in Switzerland.

The host institution must be established in Switzerland as a legal entity under Swiss law and must provide a signed confirmation letter with the application.

The applicant does not necessarily have to be employed by the host institution when submitting the application. However, the institution must employ the applicant for the duration of the project if the grant is awarded.

Depending on the type of institution, the host must provide an appropriate independent position.

Higher education institutions with professorial positions must offer at least an assistant professor-level position for the duration of the grant.

Research institutions without professorial positions must offer a group leader position that provides independent project and management responsibility.

The host institution must also guarantee appropriate working space, professional integration, access to infrastructure and equipment, and independence in managing the research project, funds and team.

Work-Time and Employment Requirements

Applicants should discuss employment conditions with their proposed host institution before submitting the application.

The specific work-time requirements depend on whether the applicant requests funding for their own salary and on their type of institution or professional position.

For applicants with a guaranteed qualifying position and no salary request, the employment level must generally be at least 0.5 FTE, with at least 0.5 FTE devoted to the project.

For applicants requesting their own salary, different rules apply. For example, in most cases applicants must be employed at least 0.8 FTE and dedicate at least 80% of their working time to the project. University of applied sciences and teacher-education applicants have specific requirements, while clinician scientists have a separate employment arrangement reflecting their clinical responsibilities.

What Does the SNSF Starting Grant Cover?

The funding request must be directly connected to the research project and appropriately justified.

Eligible project expenses can include:

• Salaries for doctoral researchers
• Postdoctoral researchers
• Other project staff
• Travel
• Conferences
• Workshops
• Research data access
• Equipment
• Research materials
• Consumables
• Infrastructure use
• Data procurement

Equipment costing more than CHF 100,000 may be permitted provided the overall project budget remains within the CHF 1 million project-funding limit.

Applicants must declare all relevant available resources and funding from their host institution, the SNSF and third parties.

 

Application Process for the SNSF Starting Grants 2027

Applications are submitted entirely through the SNSF Portal.

Applicants who do not already have an SNSF Portal account should create one well before the deadline. The call document recommends registering at least one month before the submission deadline.

The application is submitted in one submission step and must include the mandatory host confirmation.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Before preparing the full proposal, applicants should confirm that they satisfy:

• The required academic qualification
• The eligibility window
• The R3 career-stage requirement
• The Swiss-link requirement
• The restrictions concerning other SNSF grants and applications
• The host institution requirements

Applicants who are uncertain about their eligibility should contact the SNSF Administrative Office before submitting.

Step 2: Create or Update Your SNSF Portal Account

Applications must be submitted through the SNSF Portal.

Applicants without an account should register early because the SNSF recommends creating an account at least one month before the deadline.

Step 3: Select a Host Institution

The applicant must identify an eligible Swiss higher education or research institution willing to host the project.

The institution must provide the required confirmation letter, signed by the vice-rector responsible for research or an equivalent authority.

Step 4: Prepare the Research Proposal

The research plan is a central part of the application.

It must clearly explain:

• The research objectives
• The scientific problem
• How the project goes beyond the current state of knowledge
• The hypotheses or theoretical basis where relevant
• The proposed methodology
• How the research will generate new knowledge
• How the project will be implemented
• The expected outputs and outcomes

Research objectives should be measurable and clearly defined.

Step 5: Prepare the Research Plan

The research plan must be written in English and may contain a maximum of 15 A4 pages and 60,000 characters including spaces.

The formatting requirements include:

• At least 10-point font
• 1.5 line spacing
• At least 2 cm margins
• A standard readable font such as Times New Roman or Arial
• PDF format

The research plan must be legible and comply with the SNSF’s formal requirements.

Step 6: Prepare the CV and Major Achievements

Applicants must complete the SNSF CV.

The evaluation considers the applicant’s research qualification while taking disciplinary context and academic age into account.

Importantly, the SNSF follows principles associated with DORA, meaning that the quality, value and impact of major research achievements are more important than relying simply on publication counts or journal names.

Major achievements can include different forms of research output, such as datasets, software and prototypes, depending on the discipline.

Step 7: Provide the Required Degree Documentation

Applicants must upload official documentation confirming their PhD, medical degree or equivalent qualification.

The documentation must show the date of the oral defence or examination, or this date must be established through a separate document.

If the qualification documents are not in an official Swiss language or English, a certified translation is required.

Step 8: Complete the Budget

Applicants must provide a detailed and justified budget.

The requested funds should be proportionate to the project’s objectives and accurately reflect the resources required.

All funding already available or requested from other sources must also be declared.

Step 9: Complete the Declarations

Applicants must declare relevant ethical issues, comply with applicable laws and ethical standards, and follow scientific-integrity requirements.

The application must also address open access and research data requirements. Successful applicants must ensure open access to peer-reviewed publications, while research data should be made publicly accessible through FAIR-compliant repositories where legal, ethical and copyright considerations permit.

Evaluation Process

The SNSF Starting Grants 2027 use a two-phase competitive evaluation process.

Phase 1: Thematic Panel Evaluation

In the first phase, proposals are assessed by thematic panels.

At least two panel members independently evaluate each proposal and provide structured recommendations. The panel then discusses the proposals and determines which applications proceed to the next stage.

Some applications may be rejected after this first evaluation.

Phase 2: External Peer Review and Interview

Applications that progress to Phase 2 undergo external peer review.

Applicants may request the exclusion of specific researchers from the peer-review process when there is a valid and justified reason and alternative reviewers are available.

Applicants are also invited to an interview, where they present their project and answer questions.

The proposals are subsequently rated and ranked. The SNSF Programme Committee Careers makes the final funding decisions within the available budget. In cases where proposals are tied around the funding threshold, random selection may be used.

How Are Applications Evaluated?

The SNSF identifies two broad areas of evaluation.

Scientific Quality

Reviewers consider the:

• Groundbreaking nature and potential impact of the research
• Importance of the research challenge
• Ambition of the project
• Extent to which it goes beyond the state of the art
• Novelty of concepts and approaches
• Interdisciplinary potential where relevant
• Scientific approach and methodology
• Feasibility
• Work arrangements and timeline
• Adequacy of resources
• Applicant’s commitment to the project

Applicant Qualification

The applicant is assessed for their:

• Intellectual capacity
• Creativity
• Ability to conduct groundbreaking research
• Creative and original thinking
• Scientific expertise
• Capacity to carry out the proposed research

SNSF Starting Grants 2027 Important Dates

Applicants should carefully note the official 2027 timeline.

Event	Date
Call opens	1 February 2027
Application deadline	4 May 2027, 17:00 CET
Evaluation Phase 1	May–October 2027
Phase 1 outcome	End of October 2027
Phase 1 decision letters	November 2027
Evaluation Phase 2	October 2027–February 2028
SSH interviews	27–28 January 2028
LS interviews	3–4 February 2028
MINT interviews	10–11 February 2028
Phase 2 outcome	End of March 2028
Phase 2 decision letters	April 2028
Earliest grant start	1 May 2028
Latest grant start	1 May 2029

The SNSF notes that the timeline is subject to change, so applicants should consult the official Starting Grants information before making final arrangements.

What Happens After the Application?

After submission, the SNSF carries out administrative checks to verify formal and personal eligibility as well as the eligibility of the host institution.

Applicants can follow the status of their application through the SNSF Portal.

Importantly, the SNSF may determine that an application is ineligible even after the evaluation process has started if an eligibility problem is identified.

Applicants who are unsuccessful receive decision letters. Depending on the evaluation phase reached, applicants may receive scientific reasons, anonymised referee assessments and, in Phase 2, external peer-review assessments.

Highly ranked proposals that cannot be funded immediately may also be placed on a Funding Reserve List, depending on available funding.

What Makes the SNSF Starting Grants 2027 Valuable?

The SNSF Starting Grants 2027 are particularly significant because they combine substantial research funding with an opportunity to establish scientific independence.

Rather than simply providing a small project grant, the programme is designed around the development of a researcher into an independent research leader. Successful applicants are expected to lead their own team, manage research resources and make a substantial contribution to their field.

For researchers who have already accumulated significant research experience but have not yet reached the established independent researcher stage, this makes the SNSF Starting Grant an important career-development opportunity.

Key Points Applicants Should Remember

Before submitting an SNSF Starting Grants 2027 application, prospective applicants should remember the following:

• The call opens on 1 February 2027.
• The deadline is 4 May 2027 at 17:00 CET.
• The opportunity is open to all research disciplines and topics.
• Applicants need a PhD, medical degree or equivalent qualification.
• PhD applicants generally need at least two years of research experience and must apply within eight years of their PhD defence.
• Medical applicants have separate clinical and research-experience requirements.
• Applicants must meet the R3 career-stage requirement.
• Applicants must have a qualifying Swiss-link.
• Applicants can request up to CHF 1 million in project funding.
• Own salary funding may be available in addition to project funds where the conditions are met.
• Projects can run for up to five years.
• Applications are submitted through the SNSF Portal.
• A qualifying Swiss host institution and signed host confirmation are required.
• The proposal must be prepared in English.
• The research plan has a maximum of 15 A4 pages and 60,000 characters including spaces.
• The evaluation consists of two phases, including panel assessment, external peer review and interviews.
• A previously rejected Starting Grant applicant may submit one further application.
• The official 2027 interview period is scheduled for January and February 2028, depending on the research field.

How to Apply for SNSF Starting Grants 2027

Eligible researchers should prepare their application carefully and submit all required information and documents through the SNSF Portal before the deadline.

Application Portal:
SNSF Portal

Applications must be submitted no later than 4 May 2027 at 17:00 CET, Swiss local time. Applicants should ensure that all required documents have been uploaded before the deadline because incomplete submissions may not be considered.

The SNSF Starting Grants 2027 provide a major research funding opportunity for researchers ready to take the next step towards independent scientific leadership in Switzerland. With up to CHF 1 million in project funding, support for eligible applicants’ own salaries, projects of up to five years and opportunities to establish and lead a research team, the programme is designed for researchers with strong scientific achievements and clear potential for groundbreaking research.

Because eligibility depends on the applicant’s research experience, career stage, qualification and Swiss-link, prospective applicants should review the official requirements carefully before preparing their proposal. Researchers who meet the requirements should also begin discussions with their prospective host institution well ahead of the 4 May 2027 deadline.

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