Intermediate Staff Association

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Newsletter May 2023

Newsletter February 2023

Newsletter November 2022

About us

Starterkits

The MVUB Starterkits contain useful information for your start as a member of the intermediate staff at the University of Bern: University: Starterkits - University of Bern (unibe.ch)

Latest News

MVUB Events

These are our upcoming MVUB lunchtalks:

  • "Vereinbarkeit", Tuesday, 22.11.22 from 12:15 - 14:00 o’clock, UniS Room S10 (German), sign up
  • "Tenure track und andere Irrwege", Tuesday, 06.12.22 from 12:15 - 14:00 o‘clock, UniS Raum S101 (German), sign up
  • "Mental Health", Tuesday, 20.12.22 from 12:15-13.30, online event (English), sign up

Other events

Call for tenders

UniBE Venture Fellowship: Call for Proposals, deadline 14 December 2022
The UniBE Venture Fellowship program supports researchers from all disciplines at the University of Bern to translate their scientific results into innovative products or services, and take their first steps on their entrepreneurial journey.
University: Innovation Office - University of Bern (unibe.ch)

Newsflash

Decision of the university management regarding the implementation of the SUB motion on the digital provision of teaching content (in particular podcasts) dated 06.09.2022 (cf. https://www.unibe.ch/universitaet/organisation/leitung_und_zentralbereich/vizerektorat_lehre/startseite_vizerektorat_lehre/index_ger.html):
The University Executive Committee decides on a recommendation to all faculty:

  • a. For all courses at the University of Bern, it is recommended that teaching content be made available digitally in a form that is suitable for individual follow-up.
  • b. For non-interactive courses, typically lectures, teaching content should be made available digitally in one of the following forms:
  • i. Podcasts
  • ii. Zoom-recording
  • iii. Formulated speech script
  • iv. Textbook on which the lecture is based. In exceptional cases, a textbook may only be available in analog form.

The MVUB points out that this is a recommendation and the implementation is thus up to the lecturers.

Representation - Networking - Support

Representation

Do you want to represent the concerns of the intermediate staff directly in university commissions? On our website you can find the currently vacant commission seats. If you are interested, please contact Sandra Zumbrunn.

Networking

The MVUB regularly organizes welcome events for doctoral and postdoctoral students for networking purposes. For the first time this fall semester an Apéro is held for the francophone intermediate staff. Lunchtalks will also provide opportunities to talk with other intermediate staff members after the presentations. You can find our upcoming events here: University: Events - University of Bern (unibe.ch)

Legal Consultation

The MVUB legal counseling is available for our members free of charge. The initial consultation on employment issues related to the University of Bern is free of charge. All inquiries are treated confidentially. Contact: sandra.zumbrunn@unibe.ch

Handbook

Publications

Further Education/ training

Newsletter August 2022

About us

LinkedIn

Visit our new LinkedIn profile! You can follow us, network with other intermediate staff members, and read information about upcoming events, opportunities to get involved, or points of contact if you need advice.

Starterkits

Starterkits make your start into your new work environment and tasks at the University of Bern easier. We collected the most important links and information that you as an intermediate staff member should know about. You’re welcome to forward the link to your colleagues too!

Latest News

Commission Delegates: Save the Date

We are excited to invite all commission and committee delegates for a thank-you apero for your important honorary work on Tuesday, October 25th 2022 between 16:00 and 18:00 o’clock. We look forward to talking and exchanging ideas with you in an informal setting. The event takes place in the Bistro at UniS (Schanzeneckstrasse 1, 3012 Bern). A personal invitation will be sent closer to the date.

Survey about the postdoc-agreement at the University of Bern 2022

Reminder: The Vice-Rectorate development sent out a survey in July about the postdoc-agreement at the University of Bern. We kindly ask all postdocs to respond to the survey. It takes approximately 10 minutes. Ask our MVUB office to send you the link: info.mvub@unibe.ch

Events

  • Nucleate is a student-run biotech activator program aiming to empower graduate students and post docs to translate their research into start-ups. Founded in the U.S., Nucleate is now expanding globally, including Switzerland. The Swiss activator program will begin 2023 with applications opening in Fall 2022. Already backed by Swiss Biotech leaders across academia and industry from Biotechnopark Schlieren, Swiss Biotech Association, Innosuisse, university innovation offices and more.
    Upcoming event: 25.08.2022 – 6pm – Nucleate Swiss Launch, Zurich @ETH Main Campus, room HG D 1.1
    RSVP for the event and get in touch by filling out the typeform linked in the QR code of the linked flyer and we hope to see you soon!
  • Science Café Bern: Circular economy – a way out of the growth spiral? Transa Bern, 05.09.2022. The science cafés in Bern are organised by the Foundation Science et Cité in partnership with the Berne University of Applied Sciences, the Berne Pedagogical University and the University of Berne. Science Café Berne - Science et Cité (science-et-cite.ch)
    The Science Café discussions take place in German
  • DENKSTE! 75th anniversary of SAGW in Bern: 17.09.2022
    Come visit the Thought Market on the Bahnhofplatz (in front of the train station) or enjoy dance, music and theater at the House of Generations. Denkste! Jubiläumsfest 75 Jahre SAGW
  • MVUB Postdoc Meeting: 19.09.2022
    The meeting will give you an opportunity to learn about specific opportunities for postdocs at the University of Bern in an informal setting and to meet other postdocs from all faculties. Whether you are new to the University of Bern or would simply like to have a chat with other PhD students, you will be most welcome. The MVUB will offer an aperitif afterwards. Please register until 13.09.2022. University: MVUB Postdoc-Meeting HS 2022 (unibe.ch)
  • MVUB Doc-Meeting: 20.09.2022
    The meeting will give you an opportunity to learn about specific opportunities for PhD students at the University of Bern in an informal setting and to meet other PhD students from all faculties. Whether you are new to the University of Bern or would simply like to have a chat with other PhD students, you will be most welcome. The MVUB will offer an aperitif afterwards. Please register until 12.09.2022. University: MVUB Doc-Meeting HS 2022 (unibe.ch)
  • Collegium Generale: Lecture series – what is consciousness?
    There is no need to register to visit the lectures. More information on the website: University: Lecture series - University of Bern (unibe.ch)
    The first English lecture takes place on September 28th 2022.
  • Autour d'un verre - se rencontrer, échanger, réseauter: 11.10.2022
    Tu fais partie du corps intermédiaire de l’Université de Berne et tu es francophone ? Tu aimerais faire la connaissance d’autres chercheuses et chercheurs qui parlent français ? Tu aimerais en savoir plus sur ce que notre association du corps intermédiaire peut t’apporter ? Alors retrouve-nous autour d’un verre ! 
    Inscriptions jusqu’au 04.10.2022
    University: Autour d’un verre – se rencontrer, échanger, réseauter (unibe.ch) 
  • Science Europe Conference on Open Science, Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 October 2022
    Participation to the conference is free and open to everyone. Science Europe aims to be globally inclusive by making participation in the sessions available online. More information is available on the Science Europe website.
    Registrations are open at scieur.org/2022-os-register.

Vice-Rectorate Teaching: Course “Tips and Tools for Good Teaching” (October 21, 2022)
At the event “Tips and Tools for Good Teaching” (held in English) you will learn how to design your courses in versatile and innovative ways with the help of various teaching strategies, teaching methods and e-tools. Course language: English. Register by October 7, 2022. More information: Good Teaching

Call for tenders

  • University of Bern: 8th Call UniBE ID Grants
    In order to promote interdisciplinary research the Executive Board of the University announces the eighth call for Interdisciplinary grants at the University of Bern ("UniBE ID Grants").Funding amount:CHF 75'000.- to 150'000.- per project. Deadline: 28 August 2022 More information 
  • UniBe Doc.Mobility
    With this funding scheme, the University of Bern supports research stays of doctoral students at research institutions abroad. There are two application deadlines per year, March 1 and September 1. Research: UniBE Doc.Mobility - University of Bern
  • Promotion fund, Autumn 2022 application round: In cooperation with the Vice-Rectorate Research, the MVUB conducts two rounds of applications each year for the promotion fund. The Fund for the Promotion of Young Researchers supports networking activities of young researchers starting on the doctoral level with up to 5'000.- CHF. 
    Application deadline: October 2022
  • The 120%-Care Grant makes it possible for postdocs with care responsibilities, to reduce their level of employment for up to 12 months to at least 60% and to employ a support person, whose hours overlap with those of the postdoctoral researcher (as a rule, a total level of employment of 120% applies). The Care Grant is advertised four times a year by the Vice-Rectorate Research. The next application deadline is Thursday, September 1, 2022. Research: 120%-Care-Grant - University of Bern (unibe.ch)
  • University of Bern: 1st Call "UniBE Short Travel Grants for (Post)Docs"
    The University of Bern, by way of its „UniBE Short Travel Grants for (Post)Docs» funding program, supports short research stays of doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers abroad that enable early career researchers to further advance their own research projects. The length of a short research stay is at least two weeks and no more than eight weeks. Calls for „UniBE Short Travel Grants for (Post)Docs» funding requests will be made twice yearly. Maximum Funding amount: CHF 8'000.- per application. The submission deadlines are March 1st and September 1st. Studies: Funding Program «UniBE Short Travel Grants for (Post)Docs» - University of Bern
  • Nationalfonds – Fonds nationale suisse - Swiss National Science Foundation: all open calls: english version

Representation - Networking - Support

Vacant commission seats

As an MVUB member you can actively shape the higher education policies at the university by using your right of co-determination as an intermediate staff representative in one of the university wide commissions or committees. On our website you can find a list of all seats and vacancies. We are currently looking for a representative for the social fund of the SUB in particular. If you are interested, please get in touch with Sandra Zumbrunn.

Did you know: PhD students who are members of the MVUB are eligible for funding from the social fund of the SUB, which helps students in financial emergencies.

Networking with the BKD

MVUB promotes the interests of intermediate staff at various levels. We therefore keep in close touch with various stakeholders within and outside of the university, for example with the Education and Culture directorate of the Canton of Bern (BKD). The next meeting with BKD takes place on August 30th 2022. Topics discussed include the precarious working conditions of intermediate staff as well as the leadership responsibilities of professors.

Legal Consultation

We accept advisory inquiries and help you directly or help you find the right point of contact. The MVUB legal advice is open to all MVUB individual members for a free initial legal consultation for questions related to your employment at the University of Bern. Get in touch: Sandra.zumbrunn@unibe.ch

Martin Widmer, MLaw lawyer, is available for short consultations via telephone on the following dates: August 25th, September 29th, October 27th, November 24th 2022. Call the following number between 16:00-17:00 o’clock: 031 684 88 98

Handbook

Newsflash

  • New procedures for sexual harassment reports: Concerned - what to do?: Procedure for a report - Sexual harassment (unibe.ch)
  • The new Digitalisation strategy of the University of Bern has been put into action: https://www.digitalisierung.unibe.ch/
  • Risk Management Office: The Risk Management Office advise and support the Executive Board of the University of Bern, faculties, institutes and administrative departments in questions of occupational safety, health, and others. University: Risk Management Office - University of Bern (unibe.ch)
  • Better Science Initiative Uni Bern, Implementing Better Science: Where to start? Good practices for a better academic culture: Better Science | implement now
  • News for researchers from 3 August 2022 (Uni internal link)
    News from Horizon Europe, Swiss National Science Foundation, SNF, and calls for tenders (English and German notices mixed)
    Dienstleistungen: Aktuelle Mitteilungen - Uni Intern (unibe.ch)
  • The Postulate “for equal chances and the support of early career researchers” has been approved (09.06.2022). The federal council now reviews the situation of intermediate staff at swiss institutions.
  • Swiss National Science Foundation: Support measures for scientists from Ukraine: The SNSF is making available 1 million francs to host researchers from Ukraine at universities in Switzerland through Scholars at Risk and supporting them with a series of additional measures. Support measures for scientists from Ukraine (snf.ch) or Get Help | Scholars at Risk
  • Information on Swiss Participation in Horizon Europe: Switzerland currently has the status "Third Country" with regard to all Horizon Europe (HE) 2022 calls. This has implications for researchers who are applying to HE with a Swiss host institution. Researchers in Switzerland can still participate as "Associated Partners" in many calls for collaborative projects and receive funding directly from the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). For further information, please visit the Euresearch website and the SERI website www.horizon-europe.ch (updated 25.07.22)
    If you are planning an application, please contact the Grants Office early! The fact that Switzerland is not currently associated to Horizon Europe has NO influence on ongoing Horizon 2020 projects funded by the EU.

Further Education/ training

  • Language Center: The Language Centre of the University of Bern offers language courses in German as a Foreign Language (DaF) and Academic English (AE). University: Language Center - University of Bern (unibe.ch)
  • Creating a non-judgmental team spirit: 02.09.2022 and 09.09.2022 (course in German).
    Learn to recognize stereotypes, assumptions, discrimination and inequaity within a team and do something against it. The course is open to all uni members. Universität: Vorurteilsbewusste Teamkultur gestalten (unibe.ch)
  • Bystander training: 03.09.2020 (course in German)
    We develop strategies for a solidary and responsible reaction as a bystander in discriminating situations. The course is tailored to students and PhD students. Universität: Anmeldung - Universität Bern (unibe.ch)
  • Better Science: How to improve research culture: 11. November (course in English,  Online)
    What is excellency? Academic work should be characterized by sustainability, diversity, and equal opportunities. A good research culture allows researchers to pursue qualitative work and excellent research. This workshop serves to engage participants with the issue of research culture and the notion of academic excellence. The course is open to all uni members. University: Better Science: How to Improve Research Culture (unibe.ch)
  • Better Science Initiative Uni Bern, Workshop package: Planning to discuss Better Science? A culture shift toward a diverse and sustainable culture offering equal opportunities at higher education institutions can be supported by all members of the academic community. Changing the culture in a team or an organisation can be a challenging and long process. The Better Science Initiative offers a workshop package to make out opportunities for members of all career levels in order to start working towards an ideal culture, starting tomorrow. Contact: info@betterscience.ch
  • Transferable Skills Course Programm : Transferable skills are competencies acquired in one context that can be applied to other contexts, jobs, positions, functions or fields of work. 
    The first courses start on 21.09.2022. Research: Transferable Skills Program for (Post)Docs - University of Bern (unibe.ch)

Newsletter June 2022

About us

Growing Membership Numbers

We are delighted that our decision at the last general assembly to lower the membership fees of 2022 to 0.- CHF has led to a significant increase in our membership numbers. We are quickly approaching the 500s mark! To represent the intermediate staff as well as possible, you are invited to share your concerns, requests and wishes with us at leitung.mvub@unibe.ch or you can ask for a face-to-face meeting.

Spread the word about our free membership to your colleagues! Registrations are always open on our website.

Latest News

National Council in favor of more unlimited contracts for intermediate staff

On June 9th 2022, the National Council voted with a clear majority in favor of the postulate for more unlimited work contracts for intermediate staff. Read about it on the parliaments website.

Healthy University in Bern

Ivana Igic presented the project “Healthy University in Bern” at the MVUB board meeting in May. The University of Bern staff survey results indicated a generally high satisfaction with the work environment. Room for improvements still exists in the areas of psychological health, well-being, and stress management. The survey showed that employees with a fixed-term work contract had significantly lower satisfaction levels.

In a next step, fields of action will be defined and an action plan will be devised.

StrukturElle

StrukturElle asks for additions in the accreditation of higher education institutions in Switzerland regarding gender equality. 500 Women Scientists supports this initiative. The MVUB has also signed it. If you want to support this initiative please sign the form too: Declaration of support

Future development of the cantonal Matura

The Federal Council has opened the consultation process for the total revision of the matura recognition ordinance (MAV) and the administrative agreement between the Confederation and the cantons on the recognition of matura certificates. The revision is intended to adapt the cantonal matura to current requirements and to ensure exam-free access to universities in the long term. Federal Council opens consultation on the further development of the gymnasiale Maturität (admin.ch) (avaliable in German, Frend and Italian)

Representation – Networking – Support

Commission work

Almost all commission vacancies have been filled with new representatives!
If you are interested to represent the intermediate staff in one of the universities standing commissions, you can find a list of the commissions with a brief description and a list of vacancies on our website.  

Free legal consultation

Our initial legal consultation is free for MVUB members for all questions related to your employment at the University of Bern. Please contact the office manager sandra.zumbrunn@unibe.ch to confidentially handle your questions. Non-members pay 100.- for the same service.

Martin Widmer, MLaw and lawyer, offers short consultations via telephone on the following dates: June 30th, August 25th, September 29th, October 27th and November 24th, 2022. Call the number +41 31 684 88 98 between 16.00 – 17.00 o’clock.

Handbook

Call for tenders

With the new funding program «UniBE Short Travel Grants for (Post)Docs», the University of Bern supports doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers in attending short research stays abroad, to advance their own research projects, to gain more international experience, and to thus improve their academic profile by way of a stay abroad. Check if you’re eligible for up to 8’000 CHF on the website.
Application deadline: 01. September 2022

Some of the calls the MVUB mentioned in the last newsletter are still open – don’t forget to apply!

Events

  • PharmaCamp 2022: Personalised Medicine - The Future of Pharma
    15-16th September 2022, University of Bern. Apply now! PharmaCamp 2022

Our latest events can be found on the MVUB website. Other interesting events for intermediate staff members can be found at the bottom of our page in the “focus” section.

Further Education/ Training

Centre for university level further education (ZUW):

Newsflash

  • University of Bern, annual report 2021: research under constant pressure. Important topics are the in-person lecture mode, the pandemic, and the failed ‘framework agreement’ between Switzerland and the EU.  
    Read the full Annual Report 2021 (unibe.ch)
  • Swiss Science Council SSC: Annual report 2021 (available in German and French)
    Jahresbericht 2021 | Schweizerischer Wissenschaftsrat SWR
  • Netzwerk Future, young academics: the National Council commission for science, education and culture (WBK) has submitted various items that concern the working conditions of (young) intermediate staff in Switzerland. Important topics are work-life-balance between research and family needs, fixed-term work contracts, and equal career chances.
    Media Statement WBK-N (avaliable in German, French, and Italian)
  • Netzwerk Future, partnership with the UK: Switzerland and the United Kingdom signed a joint declaration on the further development of their bilateral partnership and agreed to deepen cooperation in the field of science. They confirmed the launch of exploratory talks to modernise the existing trade agreement.
    Switzerland and the UK deepen partnership (admin.ch)
  • Netzwerk Future: New research collaboration with Japan. A cooperation agreement on joint research projects was signed and a groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new Swissnex location.
    President Cassis at Kyoto University (admin.ch)
  • Federal Council adopts measures on Horizon Europe: Switzerland is currently considered a non-associated third country in Horizon Europe, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. On 4 May 2022, the Federal Council adopted extensive measures to bridge the gap arising from this situation.
    Federal Council Measures on Horizon Europe (admin.ch)
  • VPOD: the European professional association for education demands i.a. “permanent work contracts for permanent work” at higher education institutions, and in the short run extensions on existing work contracts.
    Media Statement "for a better future" (vpod/ssp)
  • The Guild endorses the Action Plan for Diamond Open Access
  • Swissnex is the global network connecting Switzerland and the world in education, research and innovation. Its mission is to support the outreach and active engagement of its partners in the international exchange of knowledge, ideas and talent.
    Read the annual report 2021
    Best-of media statement (admin.ch)

Newsletter May 2022

About us

New in 2022: Membership fee is free!

The general assembly decided to lower the membership fee for the year 2022 to 0.- CHF, thus lowering the threshold for potential members to join. We hope to gain many new members through this change. Voluntary contributions and donations are of course still much appreciated. They will be used in full for the MVUB emergency fund (see MVUB – related information – financial support). Upon request we are happy to send you a letter of confirmation for your donation. Request your letter by sending an email to info.mvub@unibe.ch.

Latest News

Higher Education Politics

The MVUB supports the interpellation “the academic intermediate staff – Putting an end to the precarity in the sciences and humanities!”. It was submitted by Vinz Binggeli. The MVUB informed the executive board of the university as well as the BKD (directorate for education and culture canton of Bern).

MVUB statement concerning the digitalization strategy
The MVUB has submitted a second statement concerning the digitalization strategy at the University of Bern. In this digitalization strategy, improvement suggestions have already been included. E.g., considerations about staff’s co-determination, renunciation of business terminology, as well as strengthening the focus of in-person education. The MVUB equally pointed out that the need for in-person lectures and interaction should be mentioned more prominently. The MVUB requests that the university considers that working hours are needed for further training to acquire the needed digital skills – this must not be done at the expense of the staff’s private time and financial means.

MVUB statement concerning the work travel policy
The University of Bern will set up a central service point for business travel. The MVUB submitted a statement to the university executive board concerning the new climate neutral travel policy. In principle the MVUB supports the idea of climate neutral travels. However, in practice there are still a lot of unanswered questions which we pointed out in our statement. E.g., how far in advance travels must be planed, or how to account for external funding.

The new university strategy 2030
The new university strategy 2030 basically stands for a continuation of the strategy in use. The University of Bern builds on five focus areas that have proven important in the past: sustainability, health and medicine, matter and the universe, intercultural knowledge, politics and public administration. Additionally, the focus areas digitalization and infrastructure have been included. University: Strategy 2030 - University of Bern (unibe.ch)

Events

MVUB and Innovation Office at the University of Bern: TRANSLATING RESEARCH INTO A STARTUP
Meet other scientists in the middle of their careers and discuss your own idea of going entrepreneurial.
Mittwoch, 25.05.2022, 17:00 Uhr
How do you translate your research and a great idea into a business? Besides your passion and expertise, what else is needed to succeed? And how do you get started and where do you find the necessary resources? Find inspiration in the shared experiences by researchers who went entrepreneurial. Discuss your questions and ideas with the panellists. Meet other scientists in the middle of their careers and discuss your business ideas whether connected to your research or not. Come and find the critical inspiration, connect to other like-minded people and maybe you take home the idea for your successful start-up. For this event, the number of participants will be limited to 35. The principle of "first comes first served" applies. More information and registration: Meet other scientists and discuss going entrepreneurial - (unibe.ch)

Science et Cité foundation: ScienceComm’22 – save the date
The 11th ScienceComm follows different thematic strands: the tension between science and democracy, health and data visualization. Through cooperation with the Swiss National Science Foundation's Agora funding programme, ScienceComm'22 will also promote exchange between researchers and professional communicators. Once again, the Optimus Agora prize will be awarded during the congress. Further information and registration: Programme - ScienceComm

Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT): Panel discussion politics – sciences, and how to find common ground
The event takes place on May 25th, 2022, at 15.00 – 17.00 o’clock, at the Restaurant Zum äusseren Stand (Zeughausgasse 17, 3011 Bern). Registration and further information: Politik ⇄ Wissenschaft: gemeinsam Lösungen erarbeiten (scnat.ch)

Science Europe Open Science Conference – save the date
Science Europe is organising its first conference on Open Science at an important time on October 18th and 19th: the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the value of open and collaborative research, and the November 2021 UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science has invited world regions to discuss shared values, principles, and standards. Further information: Science Europe Open Science Conference 2022 - Science Europe

Representation - Networking - Support

Support

The MVUB is a point of contact for diverse problems. We are happy to handle your inquiries and help you directly or by forwarding your questions to the right place. For confidential matters, please contact sandra.zumbrunn@unibe.ch.

Free legal consultation
Our initial legal consultation is free for MVUB members for all questions about your employment at the University of Bern. Please contact sandra.zumbrunn@unibe.ch to confidentially handle your questions.
Martin Widmer, MLaw and lawyer, offers short consultations via telephone on the following dates: May 19th, June 30th, August 25th, September 29th, October 27th and November 24th, 2022. Call the number +41 31 684 88 98 between 16.00 – 17.00 o’clock.

Handbook

Call for tenders

  • UniBern research foundation: Deadline 02.05.2022
    The foundation mainly supports acquisition of hardware and software, travel costs for conference visits, financial support for research stays abroad, as well as printing cost subsidy. In selected areas of the social sciences, staff can be financed using this grant. Forschungsstiftung – UniBern
  • Swiss academies of arts and sciences Prix Média and Prix Média Newcomer: Deadline 16.05.2022
    The Prix Média is endowed with CHF 10,000 and stands for excellence in science journalism. It recognizes the important role of journalists at the interface between science and society.
    The Prix Média Newcomer awards three projects in science journalism with 3,000 CHF and a winning prize of 4,000 CHF. We are looking for media professionals or students under 31 years of age who wish to implement projects in the field of science journalism.https://prixmedia.ch/en 
  • MCID: Deadline 20.05.2022
    The MCID welcomes applications from all academic disciplines represented at the University. The deadline for the submission of project proposals is Friday 20th May 2022, with projects to start in early 2023. https://www.mcid.unibe.ch/call_for_projects/index_eng.html
  • Prix Lux 2022: Deadline 15.06.2022
    In 2022, the University of Bern will award the Prix Lux equal opportunities prize for the sixth time. The competition is looking for university units or groups of people that are committed to equal opportunities at the University of Bern. The Gender Equality Office will accept proposals with a brief explanation of the nomination (description of the measure, specification of objectives and target groups, impact of the measure) by 15 June 2022. Further information: Equal Opportunities Prize of the University of Bern - University of Bern (unibe.ch)
  • Vice-rectorate research: Deadline 30.06.2022
    The fund supports investments in expensive devices that are mainly used for research, at all facilities/ centers with a performance mandate from the University of Bern. Dienstleistungen: Aktuelle Mitteilungen - Uni Intern (unibe.ch)
  • Grants office: diverse open calls for research related to COVID-19
    Find a list of all open funds and opportunities to apply for funding here: Dienstleistungen: Open COVID-19 Calls - Uni Intern (unibe.ch)
  • Swiss national science foundation: diverse open calls
    Find a list of all open funds here: Open calls (snf.ch)

Information on Swiss Participation in Horizon Europe
Switzerland currently has the status "Third Country" with regard to all Horizon Europe (HE) 2022 calls. This has implications for researchers who are applying to HE with a Swiss host institution. Researchers in Switzerland can still participate as "Associated Partners" in many calls for collaborative projects and receive funding directly from the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). For further information, please visit the Euresearch website and the SERI website www.horizon-europe.ch (updated 4 March 2022).
If you are planning an application, please contact the Grants Office early! The fact that Switzerland is not currently associated to Horizon Europe has NO influence on ongoing Horizon 2020 projects funded by the EU.

Further Education/ Training

iLUB training for ICT-supported research and teaching: two week training
Two weeks focused on the “digital turn” in higher education teaching – they can be booked as single weeks or both weeks together.

  • Summer academy for “evidence based teaching in digital times”
    What can be taught on-line and what must be taught off-line (on-campus)? How can lessons be enhanced using digital technology efficiently and effectively? 08.08.2022 – 12.08.2022
    Further information and registration: Sommerakademie «Evidenzbasierte Lehre in digitalen Zeiten» - Universität Bern (zuw.me)
  • iLUB support for interactive teaching: submit your idea for a flashMOOC
    Would you like to give access to your research to a broad public audience? Maybe a flashMOOC is the way to go for you. Using high quality movie clips and animations, a team at the University of Bern produces an interactive video for your students and the world. Our productions reach a broad audience and have already been awarded in international competitions.
    More information about flashMOOCs: flashMOOCs – Interactive Educational Videos (unibe.ch)
    Submit your idea (deadline: 08.06.2022): Submit an idea  - flashMOOCs (unibe.ch)

Swiss Maker Week “Videos in higher education teaching”
Learn how to make professional videos for your teaching in higher education during this week of intensive training: 15.08.2022 – 19.08.2022
Kurse und Tagungen: Maker Bewegung an der Universität Bern - Hochschuldidaktik & Lehrentwicklung (unibe.ch)

Newsflash