Here you will find open calls for the UniBE funding schemes as well as selected external calls. The external calls were chosen by the Vice-Rectorate Research and Innovation for their broad relevance to University of Bern researchers.
Research funding databases with a comprehensive range of opportunities for different funding needs can be found here.
Horizon Europe – European Framework Programme 2020-2027
2025 Calls for Proposals
The 2025 calls for collaborative projects are open! Researchers in Switzerland can participate – with funding from the EU – and coordinate.
Career / Early-Career Researchers
Deadline: 13 January 2026
ERC Consolidator Grant 2026
Up to EUR 2 million for outstanding researchers with 7-12 years of research experience after PhD to lead an innovative project with their own team for 5 years.
Deadline: 3 February 2026
SNF Postdoc.Mobility
Flat-rate fellowships for 12-24 months for researchers with a doctorate to complete a postdoctoral research stay abroad.
Deadline: 16 February 2026
"Open Round" to Support Postdocs
CHF 5,000-20,000 for activities and measures that support postdoctoral researchers in innovative ways.
Deadline: 19 February 2026
Initiator Grant
Up to CHF 30,000 for early career researchers post PhD to prepare an application for third-party funding.
Deadline: 1 March 2026
UniBE Short Travel Grants for (Post)Docs
Up to CHF 8,000 for PhD students and Postdocs as well as Senior Research Assistants to undertake a research stay abroad of 2-8 weeks.
Deadline: 2 March 2026
UniBE Doc.Mobility
Financing for PhD students who are not funded through the SNSF to undertake a 6-12 month research stay abroad.
Deadline: 5 May 2026
SNSF Starting Grant
Up to CHF 1 million (+ salary) for researchers with 2-8 years of research experience after PhD to lead a project with their own team for 5 years.
Deadline: 8 March 2026
Leading House Asia Pacific – Future Leaders Exchange
CHF 20,000 for PhD mobility and lab exchanges of 2 weeks to 6 months between universities in Switzerland and the Asia-Pacific.
Project / Collaboration / Interdisciplinarity
Deadline: 13 January 2026
ERC Consolidator Grant 2026
Up to EUR 2 million for outstanding researchers with 7-12 years of research experience after PhD to lead an innovative project with their own team for 5 years.
Deadline: various dates
Horizon Europe
Large multinational projects with at least 3 partners from at least 3 EU Member States or Associated Countries on predefined topics that deal with global challenges.
Deadline: various dates
European Partnerships – transnational projects
Projects in the areas of biodiversity, urban transformation, clean energy, secure water supply, transforming healthcare systems, rare diseases, and One Health and antibiotic resistance.
Deadline: continuous, in advance
Seed Money
Up to CHF 10,000 to cover costs arising from the preparation of Horizon Europe collaborative project applications in which the University of Bern plays a substantial role (equivalent to coordination).
Infrastructure / Facilities
Deadline: 30 June 2025
Investment Fund for Cost-Intensive Equipment for Research
Co-financing for the acquisition of equipment worth more than CHF 500,000 that primarily serves a research purpose.
Innovation
Further funding opportunities for your innovation projects can be found on the Funding and Competitions page of the University of Bern's Innovation Guide.
Deadline: 25 February 2026
Venture Competition
CHF 10,000-100,000 and support for individuals and teams at any start-up stage.
Deadline: 8 March 2026
Leading House Asia Pacific – Innovation Partnership Grant
CHF 20,000 for academic start-ups in the Asia-Pacific region to connect with the Swiss innovation ecosystem through PhD mobility from 2 weeks to 6 months.