SNSF

The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) is Switzerland’s main national funding agency for scientific research. It supports basic research across all disciplines, including the natural sciences, medicine, humanities, and social sciences. The SNSF operates as an independent foundation and is funded by the Swiss Confederation. Its mandate is to promote excellence in research, support talented researchers, and strengthen Switzerland’s position in international science.

Founded in 1952, the SNSF administers a range of funding programs aimed at different stages of a research career and types of activity. Its project funding supports investigator-led research projects and collaborative efforts, while career funding provides fellowships and programs to help early-career researchers establish themselves. The foundation also funds activities that enhance research infrastructure, international collaboration, and mobility for Swiss researchers and foreign scholars working in Switzerland.

Governance is provided by a council and an executive leadership team; grant awards are determined through competitive peer review by expert panels. The SNSF emphasizes quality assurance, transparency, and open science, including policies that promote open access to funded publications where feasible.

The SNSF interacts with universities, research institutes, and cantons to shape the national research landscape and participates in international funding networks and programs. Through its funding activities, it seeks to foster high-impact science and to maintain Switzerland’s visibility and competitiveness in global research.

Overall, the SNSF serves as the principal instrument of Swiss science policy for allocating competitive funds, supporting researchers at various career stages, and promoting international cooperation and robust, transparent science.