Dear researchers,
We would like to make you aware of the following points (please scroll down). Please take a look at the updated information and pass it on – thank you very much.

Kind regards,
Bruno Z'Graggen, Research Promotion Unit Director

Next FoKo submission deadline: 11 May 2020

The second FoKo submission deadline 2020 will be held although Covid-19. The University of Lucerne research committee (FoKo) will evaluate the applications via Zoom.

• 2nd submission deadline 2020: 11 May 2020
• FoKo meeting: 4 June 2020

Submission deadlines 2020, form, FoKo-Regulations and FoKo-Guideline sheet

Covid-19: Extension of SNSF-Projects ending before 31 December 2020

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.

More information

Covid-19: Information and flexible solutions for researchers by the SNSF

The Covid-19 pandemic causes comprises and questions in research supported by the SNSF. The SNSF does inform constantly and decides measures to support the researchers as well as possible. Pls. do follow the communications by the SNSF by newsletter and in the news room where you find answers responding the FAQs.

More information and FAQs by the SNSF in times of Covid-19

SPIRIT – Programme for International Research by Scientific Investigation Teams - low number of submissions

The SNSF launched 1st February 2019 a new programme named SPIRIT. Against all expectations, the number of submissions is low. Please have another look on the options of the programme. Above all, it supports research projects and collaborations within the context of the global South and the next generation of scientists.

• Goals: Support of international research projects within the context of the global South and the next generation of scientists
• Number of partners: 2-4 partners
• Eligibility: Postdocs (equal to SNSF projects) and professorships with connection to Swiss universities
• Disciplins: all
• Project duration: 2-4 years
• Sum: CHF 50'000 up to CHF 500'000
• Number of supported project and year: 12 projects
• No submission deadline: all over the year possible
• Evaluation: within two steps (pre-proposal, full proposal)

More information

Career Funding Schemes: Submission Deadlines 2020

1. Postdoc

• Postdoc.Mobility: 1 February und 1 August
• Early Postdoc.Mobility: 1 March und 1 September
• Ambizione: 1 November
• PRIMA: 1 November (support of excellent women researchers)
• SNSF Eccellenza Professorial Fellowships: 1 February

2. Candoc

• Doc.CH: 10 März und 10 September
• Doc.Mobility: 1 März und 1 September

Attention: The mobility grants Doc.Mobility and Early Postdoc.Mobility are running out in 2020.
Last submission deadline: 1 September 2020
The Graduate Academy of the University of Lucerne will finance at least four mobility grants for Candocs from 2021 on. The call is going public on autumn 2020. The FoKo of the University of Lucerne will evaluate the applications.
More information on the end of the mobility fellowships and Doc.CH
Innovations in SNSF career funding schemes

SNSF multi-year programme 2021-2024: new priorities and opportunities

The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) has published its multi-year programme for 2021-2024. In this, the SNSF is seeking to promote four priorities:

• Greater diversity in terms of excellence and promoting equal opportunities for women
• Interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle research topics from multiple angles on a more regular basis
• High-quality data infrastructures and services for use by researchers
• Closer networking between science, business and society

More information

Seven misconceptions about SNSF research funding - and the reality behind them

In spite of detailed information and advice: some misconceptions about SNSF research funding continue to do the rounds. We’ll tell you what’s true.

More information incl. the reality

Internal assistance ref. SNSF Data Management Plan and Open Access

The Zentral- und Hochschulbibliothek Luzern (ZHB) offers in cooperation with the University of Lucerne internal assistance ref. SNSF Data Management Plan (DMP) and publications in Open Access:

• Checklist ref. DMP for SNSF
• Assistance ref. DMP: Dr. Nadja Meyenhofer
• Open Access at the ZHB, overview
• Assistance ref. Open Access: Dr. Simone Rosenkranz

Upcoming Zoom courses:

• Ref. Open Access: Wednesday, 6 May 2020, 12.15 - 13h; more information
• Ref. DMP: Wednesday, 27 May 2020, 10.15 - 11h; more information

Overview of all upcoming SNSF calls for proposals

Would you like a brief overview of the upcoming SNSF deadlines for all funding schemes to make sure that you do not miss anything?
See: Upcoming SNSF deadlines for all funding schemes

Germaine de Staël - Contributions: Promotion of bilateral research cooperation between Switzerland and France

The "Germaine de Staël" programme promotes collaboration between French and Swiss researchers and research teams by providing funding towards travel and accommodation expenses incurred by their team members as part of attending meetings or conferences.

• Target group: Researchers in Switzerland and France
• Disciplines: all
• Support of each project and year: CHF 4'500 (expenses for travels, stays and congresses)
• Dealine: 3 June 2020

More information

SWISSUbase: Information

Many institutions in Switzerland are confronted with the challenges of managing research data and ensuring long-term preservation and accessibility, but do not have the tools nor the knowledge to fulfill these requirements. It therefore makes sense to work on a national data infrastructure solution. SWISSUbase will offer such a solution by the beginning of 2021.

More information

EU Horizon 2020: Call MSCA Individual Fellowships

Within the programme Horizon 2020, the EU supports postdocs' mobility by individual fellowships by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA):

• Call: 8 April 2020
• Target group: Postdocs, stays abroad of max. 2 years
• Deadline: 9 September 2020

Webinars by Euresearch, Berne:

• Submission training: 23 April 2020, 10-11h; Information and registration
• Resubmission training: 14 May 2020, 10-11h; Information and registration
• Special training for resubmissions: 28 May 2020; Information and registration

More information zu MSCA

HORIZON EUROPE, the ninth framework programme for research and innovation (2021-2027)

The eighth framework programme for research and innovation HORIZON 2020 (2014-2020), will soon be coming to an end. The next programme, entitled HORIZON EUROPE (2021-2027), is in preparation. A total of EUR 100 billion will be available for this.

More Information Horizon Europe

Media training, writing coaching, and social media workshops for researchers: courses in 2020

Presenting research projects and findings to a wider audience is an important task, and media diversity and communication requirements are high in the digital era.

The SNSF provides researchers with one-day media courses and social media workshops, and two-day writing courses. The courses are held in Olten and run by media specialists from tv-medientrainer.ch. Feedback from those who have completed the courses has been very positive. They are particularly aimed at researchers who have received SNSF funding, and who will therefore be offered cheaper rates

• 2020
• Media training: 10/01, 08/02, 06/06, 13/06, 26/06, 06/11, 14/11, 20/11
• Writing coaching: 17/01, 25/01, 30/10, 31/10
• Social media workshops: 21/02, 27/11

More information and registration

Internal Information Event in Autumn for SNSF Applications: 19 November 2020

a) SNSF project submissions and SNSF reform

• Target group: Master’s students (prospective doctoral candidates), candocs, postdocs and professors from all faculties
• Date: Thursday 19 November 2020, 12:15 p.m. – 1 p.m.

b) SNSF fellowship programme and career promotion options after 2020

• Target group: Master’s students (prospective doctoral candidates), candocs and postdocs from all faculties
• Date: Thursday 19 November 2020, 1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• Location: University of Lucerne, room 4.B46

Registration recommended (can be last-minute), email: foko@unilu.ch

Support from the University Promotion Office

The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) is Switzerland’s top third-party funding provider for research. In addition to the SNSF, foundations and private third-party funding providers also play a vital role in funding research projects and careers (including fellowships). The University of Lucerne’s University Promotion Office, headed by Erich Plattner, would be happy to help you explore funding opportunities from foundations and private third-party funding providers.

More information and contact

SpeedUp 2020: sabbatical for lecturers/researchers and assistant professors (postdocs)

SpeedUp seeks to accelerate the process of obtaining a postdoctoral academic qualification at the University of Lucerne by providing the successful applicant with a sabbatical. This is awarded by the university’s research committee (FoKo).

• Sabbatical duration: max. six months
• Purpose: a period of time off to focus on your postdoctorate, with no teaching and administrative responsibilities but with ongoing payment of wages
• Target group: postdocs, senior teaching and research assistants / assistant professors without tenure track
• Number of sabbaticals per year: (generally) two
• Amount for replacement staff: CHF 20,000
• Submission deadline: there are three standard FoKo deadlines for 2020.

SpeedUp-Regulations: FoKo-Guideline sheet, 4.2 c)
FoKo-submission deadlines and forms

FoKo submission deadlines 2020

The University of Lucerne research committee (FoKo) would be delighted to support your research project in accordance with its guidelines and looks forward to receiving applications. There are three submission deadlines per year. Urgent applications up to a maximum of CHF 8,000 may be submitted outside of these deadlines. Valid reasons must be given for the urgency.

Deadlines 2020

• 24 February 2020 (meeting: 19 March 2020)
• 11 May 2020 (meeting: 04 June 2020)
• 05 October 2020 (meeting: 29 October 2020)

Submission deadlines 2020, form, FoKo-Regulations and FoKo-Guideline sheet

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about FoKo applications

Here you can find answers to some frequently asked questions about FoKo applications: research projects that are supported by the FoKo; eligibility; submission deadlines; applications outside of deadlines and retroactive applications; principles of subsidiarity; criteria and priorities for assessment; formalities; waiting time for FoKo decisions; reporting obligations for applicants.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Research Promotion Unit

Do you have questions about funding your research project, submitting applications to the FoKo or third-party funding providers, or planning your academic career? Dr. Bruno Z'Graggen, Research Promotion Unit Director, would be happy to provide you with further information and advice drawn from his broad experience in this field.

• Contact: bruno.zgraggenremove-this.@remove-this.unilu.ch

Research news

The research news section of the website provides details of current calls for proposals, funding opportunities, and other information.