SNSF Ambizione 2026: Call now open
Event details
| Date | 03.08.2026 › 03.11.2026 |
| Category | Call for proposal |
- The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) awards Ambizione grants to outstanding postdoctoral researchers who intend to pursue a scientific or an academic career at a Swiss research institution. The purpose of the Ambizione grant is to help researchers build their scientific profile and become scientifically self-reliant at an early stage with an independent research project. Ambizione grants are open to researchers from all disciplines.
- Eligibility: 1-4 years after doctoral exam + min. 1 year of postdoctoral research; Professors in permanent or temporary employment, with or without tenure track, are not eligible.
> Candidates must have a link with Switzerland: they must be of Swiss nationality, OR hold a degree from a Swiss higher education institution (master's degree, doctorate, medical diploma, FMH specialist title or equivalent), OR have carried out research or clinical work in a Swiss research institution for at least 12 months between the completion of their doctorate or medical diploma and the submission deadline.
> Each contact person (e.g. a professor at the selected research institution) can only support one applicant.
- Funding: max. CHF 250K for max. 4 years (PhD or Postdoc salaries are not eligible costs) + applicant's salary.
Two upcoming infosessions:
- SNSF infosession: 13 August 2026, 10:00-11:30am, register here.
- EPFL applicant Workshop: 15 September 2026, 11-12am, register here.
How to get EPFL support?
The SNSF requires two separate letters from the research institution: a detailed confirmation letter and a general confirmation letter. These are obtained through an EPFL pre-application process:
- Identify a host professor who is ready to support and host you for the entire duration of the project;
- Read the EPFL toolkit: (with particular attention for the SNSF Call document and the document "EPFL instructions")
- Contact your host institute and school to inquire about their internal deadlines and requirements if no information is available in "EPFL instructions";
- Submit a pre-application to the EPFL Research Office (Note that internal deadlines are School/ Institute specific. The link to the EPFL pre-application platform is provided in the toolkit's document "EPFL instructions").
- 1. Create an account now on mySNF and prepare your SNSF-format CV
- 2. Obtain both signed support letters through the EPFL pre-application step
- 3. Submit your SNSF application on mySNF, including both support letters.
- Launch: 3 August 2026
- Deadline: 3 November 2026 at 17:00 C.E.T.
- Earliest start: 1 September 2027
- Latest start: 1 September 2028
ReO Services
- EPFL Toolkit
- EPFL applicant workshop (registration link higher up on this page)
- Grant Writing services offered on a first-come-first-served basis.
- Mock interviews
Practical information
- General public
- Free