SNSF Ambizione

CV

Please visit the SNSF Science CV website for detailed information on the five elements that must be included in the Science CV:
1. Education and training
2. Previous and current employment
3. Major achievements with selected works
4. Net academic age
5. ORCID iD number

The Science CV is generated online in the SNSF Portal.

Net academic age

The applicant's previous scientific achievements are assessed in relation to their net academic age. The net academic age is defined as number of years and months the applicant has conducted research in academia after their PhD or equivalent resp. after the state examination for applicants with a medical licence. While your net academic age will be included in the CV, the type and duration of deductions will not be part of the evaluation. This information will be visible for the SNSF Administrative Offices only in view of a plausibility check of your net academic age.
The gross academic age is the timespan between the PhD defence or equivalent qualification and the submission deadline of the relevant call.
To calculate the net academic age, applicants can deduct the time during which they were not able to pursue research activities (for example career breaks, part-time research work, continuing education, non-academic employment, etc.) from the gross academic age.
Explanatory notes and examples on the net academic age are provided here.

Statement of mobility

Mobility is recognized as a necessary factor for a successful scientific or academic career. In order to assess the applicant’s past and planned mobility concept, a statement of mobility is required. The academic mobility is defined in five dimensions including physical mobility but also more qualitative aspects of academic mobility such as collaborations or interdisciplinarity. You may enter your past mobility as well as the planned mobility during the funding period in the mobility form that the SNSF provides in mySNF once you have created your Ambizione application.

Proposals are submitted online on mySNF, the web platform of the SNSF. If you do not already have a mySNF user account, then you will need to open an account. You should aim to do this no later than one month before the deadline.

The budget information here is for the Ambizione Grant (WITH applicant salary).

Salary of applicant

Ambizione applicants must use the University of Bern salary rates for a Senior Research Assistant:
Y1     CHF 121'378
Y2     CHF 124'739
Y3     CHF 126'099
Y4     CHF 126'099

Note: This is an annual gross salary excluding social security contributions (see below).

If you plan to work part-time due to family care duties, there is the possibility of submitting the application with full-time employment and then extending the duration of the project. Please contact the Grants Office for advice.

Applicants who are planning clinical work in addition to the Ambizione project can only budget the salary share dedicated to the research project in mySNF.

Salaries of team members

Student assistants

The yearly annual gross salary (excluding social contributions, see below) for a student assistant with a bachelor’s degree is CHF 31'453 (GK12/GS0, 50% employment) and without a bachelor’s degree is CHF 26'791(GK7/GS0, 50% employment).

Social contributions

The employer’s social security contributions for the University of Bern are 15%. This comes on top of the above-listed salary (mySNF will automatically calculate the amounts for you).

Other social security contributions: There are two kinds of further allowances in the Canton of Bern:

1. “Betreuungszulage / Care allowance” – You need to budget this care allowance under “further social security contributions”. The TOTAL allowance is CHF 265/month for one child (CHF 3'180/year), CHF 190/month for two (CHF 2'280/year), CHF 120/month for three (CHF 1'440/year) and CHF 45/month for four (CHF 540/year) children. Make sure that you explain your request under “general remarks” (e.g. care allowance for one child).
2. “Kinderzulage / Child allowance” – This allowance will be paid by the “Ausgleichskasse” and therefore you do not need to request this money from the SNSF.
    

UniBE Core Facilities

If you are budgeting the services of UniBE Core Facilities, please contact the facility before submission for their upcoming rates. These may be different from the current rates publicized on their website.

The budget information here refers to the Ambizione Project Grant (WITHOUT applicant salary).

Salary of applicant

The salary for the applicant is not covered by the SNSF.

Salaries of team members

Student assistants

The yearly annual gross salary (excluding social contributions, see below) for a student assistant with a bachelor’s degree is CHF 31'453 (GK12/GS0, 50% employment) and without a bachelor’s degree is CHF 26'791 (GK7/GS0, 50% employment).

Social contributions

The employer’s social security contributions for the University of Bern are 15%. This comes on top of the above-listed salary (mySNF will automatically calculate the amounts for you).

Other social security contributions: There are two kinds of further allowances in the Canton of Bern:

1. “Betreuungszulage / Care allowance” – You need to budget this care allowance under “further social security contributions”. The TOTAL allowance is CHF 265/month for one child (CHF 3'180/year), CHF 190/month for two (CHF 2'280/year), CHF 120/month for three (CHF 1'440/year) and CHF 45/month for four (CHF 540/year) children. Make sure that you explain your request under “general remarks” (e.g. care allowance for one child).
2. “Kinderzulage / Child allowance” – This allowance will be paid by the “Ausgleichskasse” and therefore you do not need to request this money from the SNSF.
    

UniBE Core Facilities

If you are budgeting the services of UniBE Core Facilities, please contact the facility before submission for their upcoming rates. These may be different from the current rates publicized on their website.

HOST LETTER TEMPLATE WILL BE UPDATED AS SOON AS THE 2026 CALL OPENS

If you have questions, please consult the SNSF's frequently asked questions (see "FAQ" tab) or contact the Grants Office.

The following documents contain insights, suggestions, and guidances for Ambizione applications and interviews. We highly recommend using them when writing the proposal (first stage) and – for those applicants who are invited to the interview at the SNSF – when preparing and practicing for the interview (second stage).

Application

Tips and tricks that established researchers at the University of Bern consider key to a successful Ambizione application.

Grants Office review of recent Ambizione evaluation reports including comments from evaluators.

Interview

Tips and tricks that established researchers at the University of Bern consider key to a successful Ambizione interview.

Grants Office summary of dos and don’ts for a successful Ambizione interview.