Grants Office St.Gallen NewsletterOctober 2026
Dear Erika Muster,
The Grants Office St.Gallen has once again compiled a list of current funding opportunities and informational events for you. We would be happy to assist you in finding suitable funding instruments and preparing your application materials.
Today, we would especially like to draw the attention of HSG researchers to the opportunity to receive funding for research projects that align with HSG’s key focus areas. You can find more information below.
Best regards, Your Grants Office Team
Newsletter content:1. Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)National Research ProgramsThe new calls for proposals - NRP 85 (Knowledge Base for Promoting the Physical Health of Adolescents),
- NRP 86 (Promoting Interdisciplinary Research on Protecting Critical Infrastructure Against Cyberattacks), and
- NRP 87 (Study on the Effects of Deglobalization and Supply Chain Problems on Switzerland)
are being launched by the Federal Council and make a scientific contribution to solving societal challenges.
Expression of Interest: 24 November 2026 Submission Deadline: 19 January 2027 SNF Starting Grants 2027The SNSF Starting Grants 2027 call for proposals is aimed at researchers who wish to lead a research project with a team in Switzerland. Applicants may request a budget of up to 1 million CHF for project funding (plus their own salary) over a five-year period.
The call for proposals will open on February 1, 2027, and is open to all disciplines and research topics.
Submission Deadline: 4 May 2027
Agora
Agora supports communication projects that facilitate dialogue between the scientific community and society. Funding is available for projects developed and implemented by researchers in collaboration with experts in the fields of communication, knowledge transfer, culture, media, or similar areas. They receive funding of up to CHF 200,000 and last a maximum of 3 years.
Submission Deadline: Anytime (at least 4 months in advance)
Gender Equality Contribution
The gender equality grant may be used by female doctoral candidates or postdoctoral researchers who - are staff members in projects and career advancement programs.
- are grant recipients of a career advancement program (excluding Eccellenza and SNSF Starting Grant).
There is no need to apply for the gender equality grant; it is included as an eligible cost for proposals approved since mid-April 2014.
The grant amounts to 1,000 CHF per 12 months of project duration.
Mobility Grants in Projects
Mobility grants for projects are intended for doctoral students who wish to enhance their academic profile through a stay abroad and who are employed as part of an ongoing SNSF research project. Grants are limited to a maximum of CHF 20,000 and are awarded for a period of 6 to 12 months.
Submission Deadline: Anytime
Money follows Researcher
“Money follows Researcher” is aimed at researchers who move abroad and would like current SNSF funding to continue. In principle, a continuation of the project is possible in any country. The project can either continue in Switzerland while being managed from abroad or transferred to the new location.
Submission Deadline: Anytime
Open-Access Book Publications
New open access regulations will take effect in January 2027. The SNSF will continue to fund articles, but will cap publication fees at a maximum of 3,500 CHF. It will provide funding of 12,000–32,000 CHF for books based on SNF-funded projects.
Simplified process for joint research projects with Spain
The SNSF and the Spanish funding organisation AEI are facilitating joint research proposals between Switzerland and Spain through two calls for proposals modeled on the Weave model. Each project must have a common research question and a common plan. No additional funding is available. The usual national funding criteria apply, and proposals must not overlap thematically with ongoing projects. For the 2026 call, the AEI is the lead agency.
Submission Deadline: 24 November 2026 ERC Consolidator Grant 2027 – Swiss National Information Event
Euresearch will host an online webinar to provide information about the 2027 ERC Consolidator Grant. Representatives from the ERC Executive Agency, an ERC panel member, and a successful ERC grantee will offer insights into the call for proposals, the application process, and the peer review. The event is aimed at researchers who wish to apply for an ERC Consolidator Grant 2027 in January with a Swiss host institution, as well as research administrators at Swiss universities and research institutions.
9 November 2026, from 12:00 – 14:00 European Prize for Women Innovators
The European Prize for Women Innovators is awarded jointly by the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). Depending on the category, the prize is worth € 50,000, €70,000, or €100,000 and honors women who, through innovative ideas, businesses, or organizations, make a special contribution to the economy, society, or the environment.
Submission Deadline: 1 December 2026 17:00 CET Innowwide Through Innowwide, Swiss startups and SMEs have the opportunity to test innovative business or research projects in international markets. Funding is available for six-month projects of up to € 60,000, carried out in collaboration with a partner in the target country. The call for proposals is aimed at companies seeking to enter new markets in Africa, the Americas, Asia, or Oceania.
Submission Deadline: 1 December 2026 14:00 CET Eureka Investment Readiness Online-Sessions
The Eureka Investment Readiness online sessions are aimed at innovative startups and SMEs looking to connect with international investors and business partners. The sessions offer the opportunity to present your innovation, explore partnerships, and prepare for international financing.
The next session will take place online on 22 October 2026 with Eksim Ventures 4. Other funding opportunitiesEarly Career Award 2027
The Early Career Award from the Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences (SAGW) honors three outstanding scholarly articles each year by researchers in the early stages of their careers. Eligible applicants are researchers with a Ph.D. from all disciplines in the humanities and social sciences whose articles were published no more than six years after they received their doctorate. For the 2027 edition, articles must have been published between 1 October 2025, and 31 October 2026. The total amount awarded is CHF 18,’000.
Submission Deadline: 22 November 2026 SNIS International Geneva Award 2026
The Swiss Network for International Studies (SNIS) invites postdoctoral researchers and professors affiliated with Swiss higher education institutions to submit recently published academic articles relevant to International Organisations. Eligible articles must have been published after 1 September 2025 and address topics such as governance, health, climate change, migration, human rights, or sustainability. Three winning papers will each receive CHF 5,000.
Submission Deadline: 21 October 2026
Swiss Citizen Science Award
In the fall of 2027, “Schweiz forscht” will present Switzerland’s first Citizen Science Award. The award will recognize the project that best brings together citizens and full-time researchers to gain knowledge collaboratively and thus build a bridge between science and society. The award specifically honors the commitment of numerous volunteers.
Spring 2027: Publication of the call for entries Spring/Summer 2027: Review by the jury November 2027: Award ceremony and public celebration The Runway Startup Postdoc Program
The program is based at the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute and brings together a business school, research, and a startup incubator. Recent Ph.D. graduates in the field of digital technologies are guided through a paradigm shift from an academic to an entrepreneurial mindset.
The program lasts between 12 and 24 months and includes both academic and entrepreneurial mentoring.
Projects receive $175,000 in funding in the first year and $150,000 in the second year.
Call opens 15 October 2026
Key Focus Areas
To implement the “Strategic Plan 2030,” the university administration has defined three key focus areas that will shape the university’s profile: - Leadership and competitiveness in a geopolitically fragmented world
- Value creation in a complex regulatory environment
- Responsible growth through entrepreneurship, innovation, and digital technology
To establish these themes, the university provides one-time funding in the form of teaching relief and/or financial support ranging from CHF 20,000 to 100,000 per project.
Submission Deadline: 31 December 2026 |
