Ambizione 2026, the final call
SNSF (Swiss National Science Foundation)
Who can apply: You hold a doctorate (PhD) or have completed medical studies (Staatsexamen or equivalent). Applications may be submitted no later than four years after completing the doctorate, taking the date of the examination or thesis defence as the relevant date; medical graduates with at least three years of clinical work after… What is funded: A grant of up to four years that lets an early-career researcher run and lead their own independent project at a Swiss higher education institution. An Ambizione grant covers the grantee’s own salary plus the funds needed to carry out the project; an Ambizione project grant covers project funds only. The SNSF states… Deadline: 3 November 20. Round: 2026 call, opened 3 August 2026. The SNSF states this is the final Ambizione submission deadline, with a new postdoctoral funding scheme launching in 2028.
Read the full call and apply on the official page: SNSF (Swiss National Science Foundation), official page.
Who can apply
- You hold a doctorate (PhD) or have completed medical studies (Staatsexamen or equivalent). Applications may be submitted no later than four years after completing the doctorate, taking the date of the examination or thesis defence as the relevant date; medical graduates with at least three years of clinical work after their studies may apply up to nine years after the medical exam. You need at least 12 months of research activity after the doctorate or medical licence. You must have a link with Switzerland: Swiss nationality, or a degree from a Swiss higher education institution (master's, doctorate, medical diploma, FMH specialist title or equivalent), or at least 12 months of research or clinical work at a Swiss research institution between completing your doctorate or medical diploma and the submission deadline. The SNSF notes the eligibility criteria for this remaining call are being adjusted, so read the Ambizione Regulations before applying.
Stage dates
Call opens. The SNSF opens the application website three months before the deadline, and a first-time applicant must request a mySNF user account at least five working days before the deadline or access is not guaranteed.3 August 2026
Submission deadline, 5:00:00 p.m. CET, through the mySNF online platform.3 November 2026
Phase 1 results announced at the beginning of April 2027, with the decision following by mid-May 2027.1 April 2027
Phase 2 interviews. The life-sciences panels (LS) interview on 3 and 4 June 2027; MINT on 17 and 18 June and SSH on 9 and 10 June.3 June 2027
Phase 2 results announced mid-July 2027, decision in early August 2027. The project may start between 1 September 2027 and 1 September 2028.15 July 2027
Dates come from the funder's page for this round. When a round closes, the next round's dates replace these once the funder publishes them.