With the Sustainability Research Initiative, SCNAT, together with its sister institutions, promotes research on sustainable development and 2030 Agenda. It focuses on the joint handling of social issues of higher priority in overarching consortia.more

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Funding opportunities

By developing knowledge and supporting decision-making, the research community in Switzerland can directly influence our path to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. But where can Swiss researchers potentially find funding for sustainability research? The following list aims to provide an overview of funding programmes that support research, innovation and academic training on sustainability-related themes:


International cooperation
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Other websites offering overviews of funding programmes:

KFPE - the Commission for Research Partnerships with Developing Countries provides a list of funding opportunities related to international cooperation.

td-net - the Network for Transdisciplinary Research publishes news, calls and scholarships.

The Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) has summarised funding programmes related to environmental research and innovation.

The Swiss Federal Office of Energy provides an overview of organsiations offering financial support and advice for innovative energy research and development projects.


Schweiz – Europa

Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe is the European Union’s 9th Framework Programme. It is the largest and most ambitious research programme worldwide, with 95 billion euros available from 2021-2027. Switzerland is currently treated as a non-associated third party state, though this status may change anytime. The participation of Swiss researchers in Horizon Europe proposals is possible, but has limitations. Further information on Swiss participation can be found on the website of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI.

In addition to investing in cutting-edge research and highly qualified workers, Horizon Europe will help in achieving the EU’s strategic priorities, such as implementing the Paris Climate Agreement and addressing other global challenges. The Horizon Europe programme is also guided by the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

For any information and advice concerning Horizon Europe, Swiss researchers can access the platform Euresearch.

As soon as specific calls for funding are published that are related to sustainability science, we will post them here.