"Collaborative and interdisciplinary research will become even more natural"

How can the long-term stability of solar hydrogen cells be increased? In a project funded by the SNSF, researchers from the fields of mechanical engineering, materials science and physical chemistry are working together to gain new insights. This is just one of an increasing number of research questions that only collaborative and interdisciplinary projects can provide answers to.

Since 2016, the SNSF has been funding collaborative and interdisciplinary projects primarily through the Sinergia programme. Sinergia has contributed significantly to the development of such research.

Integration of Sinergia – adjustments in project funding

Now the SNSF is poised to take further important steps: First, in 2023, we will integrate the Sinergia programme, along with its budget, into project funding. Collaborative and interdisciplinary research will thus be embedded in our main funding scheme. Therefore, Sinergia as a programme will not continue. We will also be making some adjustments within project funding itself. Access for joint projects involving several researchers will become easier. At the same time, the scheme's budget will be increased and the current Sinergia budget added to it. This will ensure higher funding overall.

Greater diversity expected

"These changes will enable us to provide stronger support for collaborative and interdisciplinary research, making it even more natural," says Thomas Werder Schläpfer, member of the SNSF Executive Management. "At the same time, we are expanding our open approach to project funding: researchers will have more opportunities to realise their ideas together with their colleagues. And we expect greater diversity in both projects and applicants as a result."

The SNSF will launch the first call for project funding including Sinergia in 2023, with the submission deadline being on 1 October.