SNSF Starting Grants

L'essentiel

Les SNSF Starting Grants 2025 représentent le plus haut niveau d’encouragement de carrière du FNS. L’appel permet aux chercheuses et chercheurs de mener leur projet et de diriger une équipe de recherche en Suisse. Les requérant·es doivent avoir plusieurs années d’expérience de recherche après leur doctorat, une qualification équivalente ou leur diplôme de médecine, au cours desquelles elles ou ils ont déjà contribué à des recherches scientifiquement indépendantes et importantes dans leur domaine.

Les SNSF Starting Grants sont ouverts à toutes les disciplines et sujets. Les requérant·es peuvent demander un budget allant jusqu’à 1 million de francs pour les fonds de projet sur une période de cinq ans. De plus, les requérant·es peuvent demander un financement pour leur propre salaire (pour les conditions, voir document de mise au concours) https://www.snf.ch/fr/w728UqT1Yw256Mz2/encouragement/snsf-starting-grants

 

FAQ

Q : I am starting an SNSF Starting Grant at the Department of Ecology and Evolution in November. My salary will also be paid through the SNSF Starting Grant (100%). I'm trying to identify funding sources that would allow me to hire a postdoc to work on a side project to which I will not be able to dedicate time once I start my group. I am wondering if I am eligible for the SNSF Project Funding scheme (Oct. 1. 2026 deadline). I would be asking for salary for a postdoc for 3 years, funding for consumables, and travel costs. I'd appreciate some guidance on whether this would be feasible and also whether you can recommend any other sources of funding for this purpose.

R : 
Holding an SNSF Starting Grant in parallel with another SNSF funding instrument with overlapping funding periods is not permitted. "Exceptions are to one-off calls such as National Research Programmes (NRPs) and National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs)" SNSF StG grants Call Document, page 1

For other SNSF Grants ,"overlapping is only approved if:
a. the research projects clearly address separate topics or pursue different project goals in the
context of programmes; and
b. the applicants are in a position to make substantial contributions to each of the research
projects. The Research Council may exclude or restrict the awarding of grants with overlapping funding
periods in the Implementation Regulations". Funding Regulations SNSF | 8, Article 7.

If the postdoc was not initially planned to join your Starting Grant team, he or she may need to apply for relevant SNSF funding scheme as an applicant, i.e principal investigator. 18.07.2025.
Q: I am a postdoc 3 years past my PhD defense in November 2025, and would like to apply for SNF funding in the upcoming academic year, considering Ambizione and SNF Starting Grant. Is it possible to apply to both Ambizione and SNF Starting Grant in parallel? Asking because Ambizione is due in November and Starting Grant only later in 2026. But in the unlikely event that I get an Ambizione, I would no longerbe eligible for a Starting Grant when it ends.


R: Parallel submissions of both types of career grant with overlapping SNSF funding periods are not permitted. You will need to choose the funding instrument that best suits your career stage and short-term goals. I would advise you to start with Ambizione to strengthen your scientific independence.

In fact, SNSF stated the following :
"Ambizione grantees may apply for an SNSF Starting Grant 12 months after starting their Am-
bizione grant at the earliest". Page 5, Call_Document_SNSF_StG_2025.

"2.4 Parallel submissions
Note that an Ambizione application may only be submitted for a duration of support for which no other project grants (as applicant or co-applicant), Sinergia grants, SPIRIT grants or programmes of the SNSF have been requested, approved or are ongoing. For career funding schemes, parallel applications may only be submitted for Postdoc.Mobility return grant (see article 13 of the Ambizione Regulations)". Page 3, Ambizione_guidelines.

Q:  As I have been appointed as Professor, do you recommend that I inform the FNS in advance, or that I inform them at the moment of the interview when I present the distribution of work. 

R:  You might have already informed the SNSF when submitting your application via MySNF, in line with what is stated in the call document : "Please note: Any funds received or requested from the SNSF, or other funding institutions must be declared (refer to the mySNF section “Available or requested funds)”.P8/14. of the call document (PDF) .

If not yet, then letting them know now about the updated is recommanded as the SNSF Starting Grants guidelines clearly states here : "Applicants must provide information on available and requested funding for their research projects" (cf. section 3.1), and "SNSF Starting applicants and grantees must inform the SNSF about the acquisition of third-party funding" (p. 5/14).
This is also in line with Article 23 of the SNSF Funding Regulations, which states that applicants must promptly report any new or significant facts relevant to the decision-making process, even if these arose after the submission of the application. Règlement des subsides (PDF) p. 9/17.
Therefore, it would be best to inform them as soon as your appointment is official and confirmed, before the interview, rather than waiting to mention it during the presentation. Transparency at this stage is always appreciated and expected. I believe it will also help you feel more confident going into the interview. You could still use the interview as an opportunity to discuss the implications of this change in more detail, if needed.

Q: Quelle est la durée d’utilisation de crédits de démarrage SNSF Starting Grants octroyés jusqu’ici, en particulier le crédit 2024 ?

R: Tous les crédits de démarrages financés par la Direction peuvent être utiliser seulement pendant 2 ans. (SF, 30 juin 2025)

Q: Would it be possible for the SNSF Call to hire persons via the African partner universities?

R:  Oui, deux options sont possibles pour recruter des membres de l’étranger dans votre projet StG FNS. (1) le contrat peut se faire sur place à l'UNILsi la personne est domiciliée et possède un permis de travail en CH. Dans ce cas, il faut suivre les normes RH en cas de financement. (2) Financer le partenaire ou le thésard localement à l'étranger avec un contrat de travail. (Réponse téléphonique du FNS datant du 20 décembre 2024).

Q : Pour remplir le Template de la lettre de soutien du FNS, quelle case faut-il cocher YES ou NO concernant  le droit de diriger une thèse de Doctorat.

R: YES. car l'UNIL délivre des diplômes de doctorat. Pas besoin de mentionner le nom du prof. co-directeur de thèse. 

"If NO, this is not the objective of this career funding scheme; neither was it for the former schemes at the highest level of career funding (Eccellenza or SNSF Professorships). Indeed, Universities and ETHs are expected to offer at least a position and title of assistant professor and title for the duration of the grant. This includes the right to supervise PhD candidates that are employed under their grant." FNS, 24.01.2025.