SNSF Spark
The aim of Spark is to fund the rapid testing or development of novel and unconventional scientific approaches, methods, theories, standards and ideas, etc. It is designed for projects that show unconventional thinking and introduce a unique approach. The focus is on promising ideas of high originality for which preliminary data are not necessarily available (high-risk research).
SNSF Spark is aimed at researchers in all disciplines who have a doctorate or an equivalent qualification. It is open to researchers from all career stages.
Please consult the external page Spark website of the SNSF for details regarding eligibility.
In the following cases, applicants need to submit an employment confirmation together with their application:
– If the applicant is currently not employed at the host institution.
– If the employment of the applicant at the host institution does not cover the whole project duration.
– If the applicant requests (part of) his/her own salary to be covered by the Spark grant
If the applicant is already employed by the host institution for the whole project duration and does not request (part of) their own salary to be covered by the SNSF Spark grant, no confirmation is necessary.
For the external page commitment letter, the SNSF template has to be used.
Please contact the head of your institute or department to sign this commitment letter. The Grants Office does not issue these letters for Spark.
- Duration: six months to one year.
- Maximum grant amount: CHF 100,000
- The Spark grant may cover the applicant’s salary
Please consult the external page Spark website of the SNSF for details regarding funding.
The next submission deadline to submit the complete application via external page mySNF is on 4 March 2025.
Applications have to be submitted via external page mySNF. Please refer to the external page Spark website of the SNSF for details.
Questions and contact
ETH Zurich
Grants Office
Rämistrasse 101
8092
Zürich
