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.
Highlight – Deadline: 18 September 2026
UniBE Digitalization Commission (DigiK) – Network Projects
CHF 2-3 million for network projects that are aligned with the university’s strategic focus and long-term positioning in the field of digital transformation.
Career / Early-Career Researchers
Deadline: 5 May 2026
SNSF Starting Grant
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: 3 August 2026
Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program
$12,000-51,000 for a research stay in the USA of 3-10 months to conduct postdoctoral research, teach, or pursue a combination of teaching and research.
Deadline: 1 September 2026
UniBE Doc.Mobility
Financing for PhD students who are not funded through the SNSF to undertake a 6-12 month research stay abroad.
Project / Collaboration / Interdisciplinarity
Deadline: 18 May 2026
Solution-oriented Research for Development (SOR4D)
CHF 750,000 - 1 million for transdisciplinary projects with solution-oriented approaches that contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and reducing poverty.
Deadline: 18 September 2026
UniBE Digitalization Commission (DigiK) – Network Projects
CHF 2-3 million for network projects that are aligned with the university’s strategic focus and long-term positioning in the field of digital transformation.
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
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: 12 May 2026
EIC Pathfinder Open
EUR 1-4 million for projects at Technology Readiness Level 1-4 to develop breakthrough technologies with the potential to realize disruptive innovations.
Deadline: 30 June 2026
South Korea–Switzerland Call for Joint Innovation Projects
Up to 70% of the costs of Swiss partners for 18-36 months, to develop innovative applications and products with high market potential in Switzerland and South Korea.
