Funding

Agency:

Swiss National Science Foundation

Category: Project Funding

Focus: Supports independent research projects in Switzerland, offering substantial funding for one to four years. It enables researchers to explore both disciplinary and interdisciplinary topics, whether individually or through collaborative efforts.

Amount: Up to CHF 250,000 per year per applicant. Maximum CHF 1 million annually for the entire project.

Eligibility: Researchers (4 years after PhD) working at Swiss universities or other eligible institutions.

Deadline: 01.04.2026

Agency:

Dementia Research Switzerland – Synapsis Foundation

Category: Fellowship

Focus: Supports independent principal investigators at Swiss institutions. Funded projects span basic, translational or clinical research, addressing neurodegenerative diseases, including disease mechanisms, early diagnosis, therapies or prevention. Interdisciplinary and collaborative projects are encouraged.

Amount: 300'000 CHF up to 3 years

Eligibility: Principal investigators working at Swiss universities or non-commercial research institutions, who have not received funding from the Synapsis Foundation for at least one year at the time of submission

Deadline: Letter of intent: 08.04.2026

More information

Agency:

Dementia Research Switzerland – Synapsis Foundation

Category: Fellowship

Focus: Supports postdoctoral researchers in dementia research, helping them transition to independent faculty roles in Switzerland or EMBO member countries. Funded projects span basic, translational or clinical research, addressing neurodegenerative diseases, including disease mechanisms, early diagnosis, therapies or prevention. The award comprises two phases: a postdoctoral fellowship (Phase 1) and faculty position support (Phase 2). Top applicants may be selected for the Race Against Dementia Fellowship, which includes additional training.

Amount:

• Phase 1: 100'000 CHF per year for up to 3 years
• Phase 2: 100'000 CHF per year up to 2 years

Eligibility: Advanced postdoctoral scientists (3–5 years of experience) at Swiss institutions.

Deadline: Letter of intent: 08.04.2026

More information

Agency:

Dementia Research Switzerland – Synapsis Foundation

Category: Project Funding

Focus: Supports projects that develop and validate digital and non-pharmacological innovations aimed at preventing dementia, improving its early detection and enhancing treatment and care for people living with the condition.

Amount:

• Pilot Grants: max. 100’000 CHF for one year
• Consolidator Grants: max. 250’000 CHF for up to three years

Eligibility: Researchers working at Swiss universities or non-commercial research institutions, who have not received funding from the Synapsis Foundation for at least one year at the time of submission.

Deadline: Letter of intent: 08.04.2026

More information

Agency:

Swiss National Science Foundation Innosuisse

Category: Project Funding

Focus: Supports experienced researchers in Switzerland who aim to transform their research findings into innovative solutions with significant societal or economic impact.

Amount: Max. 850'000 CHF for four years.

Eligibility: Researchers affiliated with Swiss research institutions, capable of independently leading a project and employed with at least a 50% workload can apply individually or in small consortia.

Deadline: 28.04.2026

Agency:

Swiss National Science Foundation

Category: Fellowship

Focus: The SNSF Starting Grants provide researchers with the opportunity to lead and manage their own projects and research teams in Switzerland. This funding is open to researchers across all disciplines and topics.

Amount: Up to CHF 1 million up to 5 years

Eligibility: Researchers with 2 to 8 years of post-PhD experience or 5 to 12 years after medical degree, who have not yet led independent research in Switzerland

Deadline: 05.05.2026

Agency:

Swiss Academy of Medical Science

Category: Fellowship

Focus: The National MD-PhD Grants Program, coordinated by the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences (SAMS) with support from private foundations, aims to equip medical doctors interested in research with the skills necessary for a career as clinician-scientists. The program offers grants to particularly talented young physicians to complete doctoral research training in natural sciences, public health sciences, clinical research, or biomedical ethics at a Swiss university associated with the national MD-PhD program.

Amount: 2-3 years of funding, based on SNSF salary scales for PhD candidates

Eligibility: Physicians (with a MD) in Switzerland pursuing a MD-PhD at a Swiss university associated with the national program.

Deadline: 15.05.2026

Agency:

Age-Stiftung

Category: Project Funding (German speaking part of Switzerland)

Focus: Supports diverse project initiatives that benefit older people and enable the implementation of sustainable solutions, with particular emphasis on approaches that address people in vulnerable life situations or fragile phases.

Amount: Varies

Eligibility: Applied research, institutions, communities, projects

Deadline: 21.07.2026

Agency:

Swiss National Science Foundation

Category: Mobility grant

Focus: The Postdoc.Mobility program is designed to support researchers who have completed their doctoral studies and are looking to advance their careers by pursuing research abroad.

Amount: The amount of the fellowship depends on the cost of living in the country of residence.

Eligibility: Early career researchers (before 3 years after PhD)

Deadline: 04.08.2026

Agency:

Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation

Category: Project funding

Focus: Supports non-clinical studies and early-phase clinical trials that test promising pharmacological interventions and devices for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. 

Amount: Up to 5'000'000$

Eligibility: Universities, start ups, companies, nonprofit organisation

Deadline: 14.09.2026

Agency:

Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation

Category: Project funding

Focus: Support for advancing and validating established biomarkers to address clear clinical needs in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

Amount: Up to 600'000$

Eligibility: Universities, start ups, companies, nonprofit organisation

Deadline: 14.09.2026

Agency:

Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation

Category: Project funding

Focus: Supports studies on cognitive symptoms linked to health conditions, comparative effectiveness research, and epidemiological investigations examining how drug use or choice influences the risk of dementia or cognitive decline.

Amount: Up to 5'000'000$

Eligibility: Universities, start ups, companies, nonprofit organisation

Deadline: 14.09.2026

Age Stiftung supports projects focused on practical solutions for improving housing, care and quality of life for elderly.

Dementia Research Switzerland - Synapsis Foundation supports research on neurodegenerative diseases and related fields, including basic, translational and clinical research.

Innosuisse supports the development and commercialization of innovative ideas by providing funding, coaching and networking opportunities.

Smarter medicine supports research that identifies and reduces the overuse of medical interventions in Switzerland.

Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences supports various research initiatives in the medical field.

Vontobel Stiftung supports researchers by funding social, scientific and dialogue-enhancing projects that focus on social welfare, nature and science, medical research and cultural initiatives. The foundation aims to support early-career researchers working at established research institutions. Funding covers salaries for PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers, as well as justified material and laboratory costs. Projects initiated by other foundations are not supported.

Alzheimer Association supports research worldwide on Alzheimer's disease and other dementia.

Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation supports global research on novel drugs for Alzheimer's prevention, treatment and cure.

Chan Zuckerberger Initiative funds projects focused on neurodegeneration mechanisms, cellular neuroscience, sleep biology and circuit mechanisms underlying learning, memory and cognition.

Cure Alzheimer's Fund support research with the potential to accelerate a cure or disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

European Research Council funds researchers to run projects based across Europe.

Federation of European Neuroscience Societies offers grants and stipends in a wide range of activities: to attend scientific meetings, for higher education or for outreach activities.

Michael J. Fox Foundation funds promising research with a goal to significantly improve the lives of people with Parkinson's.

National Institute on Aging supports basic, clinical, social and behavioral research on aging and the special problems and needs of older adults.