The following funding instruments are explicitly aimed at early-career researchers.
The Talent4Bern funding program supports researchers in applying for Starting Grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), Ambizione Grants from the SNSF, and Starting Grants from the European Research Council (ERC). Depending on the funding instrument, applicants receive guidance on drafting their grant proposals and preparing for interviews with the reviewers (see fact sheet below). Successful applicants also benefit from additional financial support from the Faculty throughout the duration of their project.
This call for proposals is intended exclusively for applicants for the 2027 SNSF Starting Grant. The call is open from September 1 to November 1, 2026. Further information can be found in the call document below.
Information about support available through the Talent4Bern program for applicants for an SNSF Ambizione or an ERC Starting Grant can be found in the fact sheet.
With the announcement of grants for Protected Research Time, the Faculty of Medicine supports the possibility of creating clinical research time for young academics in the medical service sector.
The Dean's Office of the Faculty of Medicine and the Directorate of Teaching and Research of the Insel Gruppe jointly offer Young Investigator Grants. These are aimed at young assistant and senior physicians who pursue ambitions in research in addition to their clinical activities, as well as PhD students of the Graduate School for Health Science (GHS) in the Clinical Sciences Program. Protected Research Time provides the possibility of creating clinical research time for junior academic staff in the medical service sector.
The two grants have a different focus. The Dean's Office call is for individuals with translational research projects. The call from the Directorate of Teaching and Research is for Insel Gruppe physicians with a patient-oriented research project.
There is currently no open call for proposals. The first 2026 call closed in June. The second 2026 call is expected to open in November.
Link to the call for proposals (only accessible from the Inselspital intranet) Your contact person: Andrea Hipp (andrea.hipp@insel.ch)
Specific internal funding instruments are designed to facilitate research at the University of Bern. In particular, they support early-career researchers, collaborative and interdisciplinary projects, innovation and entrepreneurship, and access to state-of-the-art infrastructure are supported.
You will find an overview here.
You will find a list of the most relevant national and international public funding agencies and funding programs for researchers at the Faculty of Medicine and Inselspital here.
The Prof. Dr. Max Cloëtta Foundation awards scholarships at renowned institutions to junior medical professionals during or immediately after completing their specialist training. The scholarship intended to finance a training stay at a first-class, primarily foreign host institution and in innovative fields or clinical ancillary sciences. The amount awarded for the “Clinical Medicine Plus” scholarship is determined by the Prof. Dr. Max Cloëtta Foundation. It is a contribution to travel expenses and cost of living during the stay at the host institution (3 to max. 12 months).
Candidates must be nominated and supported by a mentor from their institution in Switzerland. The mentor guarantees the appropriateness of the training and the quality of the host institution, and oversees the stay as an external tutor.
More information
The following University of Bern prizes are aimed at early-career researchers:
