Exploring Funding Opportunities from the Swiss Federal Offices

These funding streams are designed to support applied, interdisciplinary research that addresses pressing societal challenges and contributes to both national and global goals of Switzerland.

Many federal offices provide funding to address the challenges they face. Indeed, the Swiss federal government offers a diverse range of opportunities across several policy areas, from health and social security to energy, agriculture, and climate adaptation. This is more or less regular or structured, depending on the specific office. Some offices have regular calls, others look for specific experts on an ad hoc basis, following a new question they need to answer.  

Why should you look for federal government projects? They offer applied projects with an immediate impact on society. They are usually shorter projects, with little administration and a lot of freedom.

Keep in mind that if you see a call for proposals or a question that interests you, it is always best to contact the person in charge at the federal office first in order to get feedback on your project idea.

You can find some the open calls here or directly on each federal office website and we offer below a non-exhaustive list of Federal Offices which offer research funding.

Please contact the Grants Office if you are interested in a specific topic!

The “Ressortforschung” is organized into several policy areas, each led by a federal office. Below are some of the most active fields (some websites only in DE/FR):

Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH)

They are interested in health policies only (health / healthcare is for the cantons). Their research is linked to specific tasks, where each division sees for itself where their focus should be within the official research priorities.

Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)

There are almost no calls, as projects are given on a mandate basis. The project officer will look for the expertise they need in order to find an answer to a specific problem. Other possibilities to find funding in similar topics are Repic (Renewable Energy, Energy and Resource Efficiency Promotion in Developing and Transition Countries), Technology funds (loan guarantees for companies) and Climate and Innovation Act (Innovative technologies and processes).

Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG)

This office mostly finances research at Agroscope and Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL). However, there is some extra funding for applied projects (bottom-up, up to 75% costs covered). It also participates in some (but not all) Horizon Europe co-fund calls such as part of Agroecology, FutureFoodS, or Agriculture of data.

Federal Office of Energy (SFOE)

It will finance research that fits its mandate: guaranteeing the energy supply in Switzerland and accelerating the energy transition. There are several programs, that can cover between 10-100% of the project costs. Sweet(er) projects are large transdisciplinary consortia. Research programs can have various shape and sizes. Energy-Economy-Society (EES) projects look into the economic, social, psychological and political issues throughout the energy sector supply chain.

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)

The SDC supports research projects aimed at achieving the goals set out in the International Cooperation Strategy 2025–2028.

Cyber-Defence Campus (CYD campus)

They have their own research groups and offer several grants (Master, PhD, Posdoc, Proof of concept). There is also a Cyber startup challenge for companies.

Federal Office for Defence Procurement (armasuisse)

There are different programs ongoing in different area. You can contact directly the program managers to pitch your idea: Research Management (admin.ch).

Federal Office of Sport (BASPO)

The research work carried out by the BASPO makes a significant contribution to illustrating the social importance of sport. The results of this work are incorporated into the implementation and further development of political measures to promote sport and physical activity.

Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA)

The FOCA has a pluri-annual research program. They are interested in projects on measures to protect the climate (environment), to promote safety culture and human skills (security) or flight simulators and new training equipment (safety) have been defined as priorities. It can cover up to 80% of the costs of a project.

Swiss Data Science Center (SDSC) 

The call for projects can be found under SDSC National Calls. These calls are usually run in collaboration with other Federal Offices.

Federal Office of Transport (FOT)

The research projects aim to improve safety, energy efficiency and environmental compatibility.