Coronavirus: SNSF update
The Covid-19 pandemic made research more difficult. The SNSF is continuing to support researchers with special measures in all areas. On this page, you will find all the key information on this subject.
Despite the difficult conditions created by the coronavirus pandemic, the researchers continued their work regardless. We thank all researchers for their flexibility.
Right from the start of the pandemic, the SNSF supported affected researchers with a range of measures. We adjusted conditions and deadlines and advised researchers on specific issues. As a temporary emergency measure, more than 600 projects nearing completion received a total of 13 million francs in additional funding in 2020, enabling them to achieve their goals despite the pandemic.
Funding of research on Covid-19
In March 2020, the SNSF launched the Special call on coronaviruses and, in April 2020, the Federal National Research Programme "Covid-19" (NRP 78). The NRP has since primarily investigated biomedical and clinical issues. 36 projects from the special call started already in June 2020, and 28 NRP projects were added in August. Thanks to a donation, the SNSF was able to approve nine additional projects. Both programmes have now been concluded. On 14 November 2023, those responsible for NRP 78 informed the public about the results of this Covid-19 research programme at a press conference. To view the press conference, click on the link below.
In April 2021, the Federal Council mandated the SNSF to implement the new National Research Programme "Covid-19 in Society" (NRP 80). The programme aims to explore the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy, politics and society. Further Covid-19 research projects are being funded under the "Project funding" scheme.
Updates for researchers
21.12.2022
SNSF Corona Research Conference, 21–23 March 2023, Thun
The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) will hold the SNSF Corona Research Conference in Thun from 21 to 23 March 2023, bringing together all the SNSF-funded Corona research teams and other researchers working in the field.
29.04.2021
New NRP launched: COVID-19 in Society
The Federal Council has mandated the SNSF to implement the new National Research Programme "COVID-19 in Society" (NRP 80). The programme aims to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, politics and society.
04.11.2020
Election of Steering Committee of NRP 78 "Covid-19"
The SNSF Research Council has elected the Steering Committee of the National Research Programme "Covid-19" (NRP 78).
04.08.2020
NRP "COVID-19": 28 new projects funded
New research has been launched to better control COVID-19. 18.6 million francs have been invested in projects that will investigate innovative solutions and develop public health recommendations.
30.06.2020
Ready to meet the challenges
Many scientists are currently undertaking work on the Sars-CoV-2 virus. But hundreds of projects supported by the SNSF are already contributing to finding answers to the current health crisis.
Meeting challenges through basic research
10.06.2020
New research ideas in NRP "Covid-19"
Researchers have submitted 190 applications to NRP "Covid-19": 155 in biomedicine, 19 in the STEM disciplines and 16 in the humanities and social sciences.
18.05.2020
Snapshot of Swiss research on Covid-19
A new SNSF database lists Swiss research projects that are investigating solutions to the Covid-19 pandemic.
18.05.2020
SNSF funds 36 coronavirus projects
Under the special call on coronaviruses, the societal and biomedical aspects of epidemics will be investigated with a total budget of 10 million francs. The projects will start as of 1 June 2020.
08.05.2020
Coronavirus calls in Europe
Various partner organisations of the SNSF have also launched Covid-19 calls, some of which are open to researchers from Switzerland.
30.04.2020
Call for proposals: NRP 78 "Covid-19"
Mandated by the Federal Council, the SNSF is launching a call for the National Research Programme "Covid-19" (NRP 78). The aim is to provide health care recommendations and innovative solutions to fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
News: NRP 78 “Covid-19”
29.04.2020
Open science – not only in a crisis
For years, the SNSF and other organisations have been demanding open science as the new normal. The corona crisis drastically confirms the validity of this demand.
22.04.2020
Career funding: no interviews for the time being
The evaluation processes of career funding schemes normally include an interview with candidates. Because of Covid-19, the SNSF has suspended these interviews. The evaluation bodies will adapt the processes to ensure that they can make a fair selection of the best candidates without conducting interviews.
16.04.2020
Launch of National Research Programme "Covid-19"
The fight against the Covid-19 pandemic continues at pace. To channel existing research competencies, the SNSF is launching on behalf of the Federal Council a special National Research Programme (NRP) "Covid-19". This special programme will aim to generate recommendations for overcoming the corona crisis in Switzerland, thereby complementing the special call for coronavirus research already launched by the SNSF. Detailed information on submitting projects for the new NRP "Covid-19" is currently in preparation. The call will be open between 30 April and 25 May 2020.
31.03.2020
Scientists to advise the government
The Swiss government has appointed a scientific advisory body to assist the authorities in overcoming the coronavirus crisis. The "Swiss National Covid-19 Task Force" is headed by Matthias Egger, president of the National Research Council of the SNSF and epidemiologist at the University of Bern. The members of the body are all experts in relevant fields. They will advise the federal government and the cantons based on the latest scientific knowledge. In addition, they are expected to define research topics and special measures. The task force combines initiatives and competencies of the SNSF, the ETH Domain, the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences and swissuniversities.
30.03.2020
Extending projects
We have defined the deadlines and conditions for the extension of projects. Please read the FAQs, which are regularly updated.
Researchers whose project ends before 31 December 2020 will get a cost-neutral extension of a maximum of six months. If there isn’t enough money left for the extension period, you may apply for an extension grant - provided the project cannot be completed in the context of another SNSF project. For the time being, extension grants will last for up to two months.
For projects that end after 31 December 2020, please submit an application for a cost-neutral extension two to four months before the end of your project.
You can extend the deadline for scientific and financial projects for a maximum of two months.
Will there be a gap in your funding if you wait until 1 October 2020 to submit the application for continuation of your research? The SNSF can give you a grant to bridge the gap between 1 October 2020 and 31 March 2021.
30.03.2020
We are here to help
In spite of the pandemic, the SNSF’s services for researchers are continuing as usual. Thanks to teleworking and video conferences, we are able to conduct the evaluation process in the different funding schemes as planned. We are moving dates where this is necessary. We would like to thank our staff, the members of evaluation bodies and the reviewers for their flexibility and commitment in the current situation. Researchers can find the latest information about special measures in response to the Covid-19 crisis and current calls on our website. If you have any further questions, please get in touch with the relevant division.
Calls for proposals
26.03.2020
A host of ideas for coronavirus research
Within 20 days, researchers have submitted 284 applications for the special call. The majority are biomedical, but there are also 80 projects from the humanities and social sciences.
24.03.2020
"Remove paywalls on scientific publications!"
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, swissuniversities, the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Consortium of Swiss Academic Libraries appeal to all publishing houses to make their publications freely accessible.
23.03.2020
Requests will be dealt with at pace
Is the coronavirus crisis affecting your research? Do you need to extend the duration of your project or do you require additional funding? Please read the news we published on 19 March 2020. If you have any further questions, please contact the responsible division of the SNSF. We will deal with requests quickly and unbureaucratically.
23.03.2020
Extension of mobility fellowships
Around 400 researchers will conclude their mobility fellowship between 30 April and 31 December 2020 (Doc.Mobility, Early Postdoc.Mobility, Postdoc.Mobility and Advanced Postdoc.Mobility). As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, many researchers cannot do their work or are limited in what they can achieve. The SNSF is therefore introducing a special measure that will allow affected researchers to extend their fellowship by two months. To cover the costs, it will make available 4 million francs. Researchers can apply for this extension on mySNF as a supplementary grant with the reference "Covid-19". (The mySNF platform will be upgraded in the next few days.)
Fellowship holders affected by the Covid-19 pandemic can also request an extension if their fellowship does not end by 31 December 2020 or if they need more than a two-month extension. Such applications need to be submitted two to four months before the end of the fellowship.
19.03.2020
Pandemic: the SNSF provides flexible solutions for researchers
The Covid-19 pandemic has created problems for researchers. The SNSF is therefore offering whatever support it can. For example, it has moved the submission deadline for project funding proposals to 8 April 2020.
27.02.2020
Special call for research on coronaviruses
The SNSF has launched a special emergency call for coronavirus research. The aim is to gain a better understanding of the virus and improve the clinical and public health response.
News