USI launches new measures to promote research excellence, support researchers at all career stages, foster Open Science, and boost competitiveness for national and international funding through renewed FIR calls, new incentives, and the strengthening of the grant writing service.

USI relaunches its Institutional Fund for Research (FIR) as a strategic framework bringing together funding schemes that support research excellence, career development, international mobility, and Open Science practices.

Supports USI doctoral candidates undertaking research stays abroad (6–12 months) to encourage international collaboration, research training and academic career development. Funding: up to CHF 20,000. The call is launched twice per year.

Supports USI postdoctoral researchers in developing independent research, boosting their academic profile, and preparing competitive applications for major external funding schemes. Duration: 24 months. Funding: up to CHF 120,000.

Provides dedicated support to USI researchers preparing ERC proposals, helping them refine high-risk/high-gain research ideas and strengthen proposal competitiveness. Duration: 6–12 months. Funding: up to CHF 100,000.

Supports USI projects advancing Open Science and Open Research Data practices across teaching and research activities through targeted one-off initiatives. Duration: 3–18 months. Funding: CHF 10,000–50,000.

USI introduces a new set of pre-award, post-award, and teaching buyout incentives to encourage the acquisition and management of highly competitive third-party research funding. Read the directive on the management of funded R&D projects.

From Autumn 2026, USI will strengthen its grant writing support service by offering proposal feedback and training, with priority given to ERC, SNSF Starting Grants, and USI coordinated EU projects.