🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Varies by host country (typically CHF 50,000 to CHF 80,000 per year plus allowances)
⏱
Duration
Standard duration of 24 months (minimum 12 months)
🗓
Deadline
February 1st and August 1st annually
🔬
Fields
All disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Humanities, Social Sciences, Medicine)
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 400 to 500 fellowships awarded per year
🌏
Study Country
Switzerland
🏛️
Provider
Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
📊
Acceptance
Varies by year and discipline
The Postdoc.Mobility fellowship is a premier funding instrument from the Swiss National Science Foundation. It aims to support researchers who wish to conduct a postdoc stay abroad to enhance their scientific profile. It covers living costs and research expenses, while also offering a return mechanism to help reintegrate researchers into the Swiss academic landscape.
👥 Who Should Apply
Applicants must hold a PhD or be about to complete it. They must have a Swiss connection (nationality, residency, or several years of research activity in Switzerland). The fellowship is specifically for research stays at institutions outside Switzerland.
🏛️ Host University
Any recognized higher education or research institution worldwide (outside of Switzerland)
🔬 Fields of Study
All disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Humanities, Social Sciences, Medicine)
✨ Key Benefits
Comprehensive funding package designed to cover the researcher's cost of living abroad, including family support, travel expenses, and a contribution to professional research and conference costs.
🎯 Target Students
Swiss researchers or international researchers with strong Swiss institutional ties
🏷 Tags
Switzerland
Postdoc
SNSF
International Mobility
Research Grant
Full Funding
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Not applicable (Postdoctoral research focus)
Living Stipend
Yes, standard grant amount covers all living costs based on the destination country
Total Award
Varies by host country (typi
✈️ Travel: Yes, flat-rate travel allowance for the fellow and family members
🏠 Accommodation: Included in the fellowship grant amount
💊 Health Insurance: Subsidized through a contribution to social security and insurance costs
🔄 Renewable: No (Fixed term, but candidates may apply for a Return Phase grant)
💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Not applicable (Postdoctoral research focus)
🏠 Living Stipend
Yes, standard grant amount covers all living costs based on the destination country
🏡 Accommodation
Included in the fellowship grant amount
✈️ Travel Allowance
Yes, flat-rate travel allowance for the fellow and family members
💊 Health Insurance
Subsidized through a contribution to social security and insurance costs
🎁 Other Benefits
Child allowance, mobility allowance, research funds, and potential return grant for a phase in Switzerland
🔄 Renewable
No (Fixed term, but candidates may apply for a Return Phase grant)
📋 Renewal Conditions
Not applicable; however, a return phase of 3 to 12 months in Switzerland is possible upon separate application
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
PhD (MD-PhD) or equivalent obtained or submitted; max 3 years since PhD completion; Swiss nationality or relevant link to Switzerland
🎓 Academic Level
Postdoctoral
📊 Minimum GPA
Varies (Primary focus is on research output and publication record)
🗣️ English Requirement
Varies by host institution; SNSF does not set a specific score requirement
🎂 Age Limit
None (Eligibility is based on time elapsed since PhD completion)
💼 Work Experience
Must have completed a PhD and demonstrated high potential for a scientific career
🏆 Leadership
Not explicitly required, but independence and academic leadership potential are assessed
💰 Financial Need
Not a selection criterion
🎯 Target Students
Swiss researchers or international researchers with strong Swiss institutional ties
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Comprehensive research plan and career motivation statement)
Rec Letters
Yes (Two letters of recommendation and a letter from the host institution)
Interview
No (Selection is usually based on the written dossier)
Documents Required
- Academic Transcripts
- Passport / National ID
- Yes (Two letters of recommendation and a letter from the host institution) Recommendation Letters
- CV / Resume
- Personal Statement / Essays
- Varies by host institution; SNSF does not set a specific score requirement
- Interview: No (Selection is usually based on the written dossier)
- Min GPA: Varies (Primary focus is on research output and publication record)
📋 Application Process
Clearly articulate why the host institution is the best environment for your research project and your career development. Ensure your research plan is feasible and scientifically rigorous.
💡 Insider Tip: Collaborate closely with your host supervisor to secure a strong support letter that specifies the resources and mentoring you will receive.