Scholarship or External Funding Application
When do private foundations come into question? What does a scholarship or external funding application entail?
Only apply for grants from private foundations if you are sure that you meet the declared criteria of the foundation based on the published purpose. Certain foundations have their own application forms.
The prerequisite for any application is the clear, concise presentation of one’s dissertation or research project:
- topic, state of research, question, hypothesis, objective, methods, research relevance
- time frame and plan of action
- research institution to be involved (laboratory, archive, etc.)
- planned collaborations or stays abroad
- budget: explicit cost breakdown for research, living costs and travel
Always discuss your project with the mentoring professor.
The following materials are usually required for applications:
- Cover letter explaining why you are contacting this foundation
- CV
- Documentation of degree (copies of diplomas from the Swiss Matura level)
- Documentation of research achievements (publications)
- Two written letters of recommendation from the academic advisor
- Project description, including max. one-page abstract
- Any invitation from the host institute
- Budget, including other requested or awarded grants
