After the Doctorate

The search for suitable sources of funding for salaries, expenses, research funds, etc. is a time-consuming activity. Even if your own employment is secure for several years, there is a need for additional funds to support scientific work.

Swiss funding sources

The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) offers Ambizione grant to support independent, multi-year research projects to be carried out. An important requirement is the necessary mobility experience (as described in the guidelines for submitting an Ambizione application) and the so-called “Swiss Link,” which refers to a relevant connection to Switzerland (i.e., Swiss citizenship, a Swiss university degree, or at least 12 months of research or clinical work at a Swiss research institution following the Ph.D.). It should also be noted that a contact person at the host institution may support only one application. Complete information can be found on the Ambizione website. 

Outstanding researchers who are aiming for a professorship can apply to the SNSF for an SNSF Starting Grant. The SNSF Starting Grant is the successor to Eccellenza and PRIMA.

Important Information

Ambizione 03.11.2026

The deadline for the SNSF career funding scheme Ambizione is on 3 November 2026. Ambizione applicants need to submit a written confirmation letter from the host institute, cosigned by the head of the institute/department and the contact person mentioned in the application. This serves as the basis for a second confirmation letter, which will be issued and signed by the Vice-Rectorate for Research and Innovation. Please note that the template provided by the Grants Office must be used. 

The letter signed by the institute must be sent electronically to the Grants Office by 26.10.2026 at the latest: grantsoffice@unibe.ch. The mandatory template and instructions can be found on the University’s internal website.

External applicants can access the mandatory template and instructions here.

European funding sources

In Europe, funding sources for early-career researchers include the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships, a measure of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, which enable experienced researchers (i.e., those with a doctoral degree) to improve their careers and professional prospects by working abroad.

The renowned grants from the European Research Council are highly competitive:

  • the Starting Grant (for researchers with 2 to 7 years of experience after completing their doctorate) and
  • the Consolidator Grant (for researchers with 7 to 12 years of experience after completing their doctorate).

Project funding

  • Advanced researchers can apply to the SNSF for support to carry out their own projects. The eligibility criteria must be observed. This includes the requirement that project funding cannot be used to finance one's own salary and that proof of employment for the planned duration of the project must be provided.
  • Project funding is also awarded by the Swiss Network for International Studies (SNIS). Here, too, it is important to observe the admission criteria.
  • The Vice-Rectorate for Research and Innovation at the University of Bern offers Initiator Grants, a funding program that supports postdoctoral researchers in preparing large external funding applications for project and personnel funding.

Scholarships

  • The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships from the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) enable postdoctoral researchers from all over the world to spend up to 12 months conducting research in Switzerland. The University of Bern provides information for applicants and supervisors on the Federal Scholarships page.
  • Many countries offer government scholarships for research stays to Swiss researchers; these scholarships are administered by swissuniversities on behalf of the federal government.
  • swissuniversities also provides an overview of other scholarships that lead abroad.

Foundations

Switzerland has a high density of foundations. The foundation landscape is somewhat confusing and extremely diverse.