Foreseen Restrictions to SNSF Project Funding
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The SNSF is considering new restrictions to its Project Funding scheme in response to growing demand. The aim is to safeguard evaluation quality and stabilise success rates. Project funding is the SNSF’s largest funding scheme and supports outstanding basic research by experienced researchers at eligible Swiss institutions.
Federal funding has increased only slightly in recent years and may decrease in the future, while the number of applications and funding requests has risen sharply. As a result, the SNSF must reject many high-quality projects, and the evaluation process is under growing strain. It is also becoming harder to find enough panel members and international reviewers.
As of 2026, researchers would be limited to two concurrent SNSF project grants, one application per year, and eligibility abroad only for Lead Agency/Weave/ICIS projects. The SNSF is also considering lower maximum project budgets.
NEXT STEPS: The Research Council will decide on new Project funding measures in January 2026. The SNSF will communicate the changes online, in the updated regulations, and via a webinar.
The April 1, 2026 call opens in early February, and preliminary information is being shared in advance to prepare researchers.
SNSF: Project funding: Ensuring evaluation quality and the diversity of funded research
SNSF: Federal budget cuts: SNSF to adapt its research funding from 2026
EPFL Research Office: SNSF to Adapt Research Funding from 2026