How to apply at USI for SNSF Ambizione, PRIMA and Eccellenza fellowships

Ambizione grants are aimed at young researchers who wish to conduct, manage and lead an independent project at a Swiss higher education institution. It awards four-years grants to researchers who fulfil following criteria:

• They match the SNSF requirements for Ambizione concerning mobility and academic age:
  - At least 12 months of postdoctoral research activity at a different institution from that of the doctoral thesis;
  - Maximum 4 years from the doctorate.
• They have an excellent academic track record, especially in terms of publications, and firm ambitions to pursue an academic career.
• They demonstrate interest in scientific domains represented at USI.

Potential candidates fulfilling these requirements should send the following documents to the Research Service (dafne.pedrazzoli@usi.ch) by the 1st of September:

• A complete CV including publication list;
• A statement of their interest for USI, indicating their specific research interests, how they fit into USI scientific profile, and identify the host institute in which they expect to be integrated.

Applications will be first subject to a formal verification of the criteria, then sent for assessment to the head of the chosen host institute. Should a positive support decision be reached, the applicant will receive the two support letters needed for the SNSF application.

Application process at a glance:

Formal check > Evaluation by Head of Institute > Support decision > SNSF Application > Evaluation by the SNSF

We underline that this procedure aims at identifying good candidates, which deserve support from USI when submitting their application to the SNSF; USI has no influence on the selection process at the SNSF, which is solely based on the scientific quality of applicants and projects.

Prima grants are aimed at young female researchers who wish to conduct, manage and lead an independent project at a Swiss higher education institution. It awards five-years grants to female reseachers who fulfil following criteria:

• They match the SNSF requirements for Prima concerning academic age (mobility is not needed):
  - At least 2 years of research experience after the doctorate;
  - Maximum 10 years from the doctorate.
• They have an excellent academic track record, especially in terms of publications, and firm ambitions to pursue an academic career.
• They demonstrate interest in scientific domains represented at USI.

Potential candidates fulfilling these requirements should send the following documents to the Research Service (dafne.pedrazzoli@usi.ch) by the 1st of September:

• A complete CV including publication list;
• A statement of their interest for USI, indicating their specific research interests, how they fit into USI scientific profile, and identifiy the host institute in which they expect to be integrated.

Applications will be first subject to a formal verification of the criteria, then sent for assessment to the head of the chosen host institute. Should a positive support decision be reached, the applicant will receive the two support letters needed for the SNSF application.

Application process at a glance:

Formal check > Evaluation by Head of Institute > Support decision > SNSF Application > Evaluation by the SNSF

We underline that this procedure aims at identifying good candidates, which deserve support from USI when submitting their application to the SNSF; USI has no influence on the selection process at the SNSF, which is solely based on the scientific quality of applicants and projects.

Ecellenza fellowships are aimed at highly qualified young researchers who aspire to a permanent professorship. It supports them in achieving their goal as leaders of a generously funded research project with their own team at a Swiss higher education institution.

Five-year grants are awarded to researchers who fulfil following criteria:

• They match the SNSF requirements for Eccellenza concerning relation to Switzerland, mobility and academic age:
  - Degree from an institution of higher education in Switzerland or at least 2 years of activity at a Swiss higher education institution by the submission deadline;
  - At least 3 years of research experience after the PhD and up to 8 years from the PhD;
  - Research stay of several years at an institution different from that where the doctorate was obtained, thereof at least 1 year abroad.
• They have an excellent academic track record, especially in terms of publications, and firm ambitions to pursue an academic career.
• They demonstrate interest in scientific domains represented at USI. Please be aware that USI strongly favours candidates coming from outside.

Potential candidates fulfilling these requirements should send the following documents to the Research and Transfer Service (benedetto.lepori@usi.ch) by the 15th of October:

• A complete CV including publication list;
• A statement of their interest for USI, indicating their specific research interests, how they fit into USI scientific profile, and identifiy the host institute in which they expect to be integrated.

Applications will be first subject to a formal verification of the criteria, then evaluated by the university rectorate and later sent for assessment to the relevant faculty. Should a positive support decision be reached, the applicants will receive the two support letters needed for the SNSF application.

Application process at a glance:

Formal check > Evaluation by University Rectorate > Evaluation by Faculty > Support decision > SNSF Application > Evaluation by the SNSF

We underline that this procedure aims at identifying good candidates, which deserve support from USI when submitting their application to the SNSF; USI has no influence on the selection process at the SNSF, which is solely based on the scientific quality of applicants and projects.