Collaborative ETH Grants are intended to initiate interdisciplinary projects that involve Principal Investigators (PIs) from two to three ETH Zurich groups. These grants should integrate different disciplinary contributions and existing competencies into a novel, joint research approach that ventures into uncharted territory. They are meant to advance the innovation potential of ETH Zurich, with a clear scientific added value relative to the sum of the partners' contributions.
Projects that involve scientifically sound but relatively generic investigations, which would complement ongoing work in the PI's laboratory, will automatically be given low priority in both funding lines. Similarly, natural extensions of a PI’s ongoing research that would qualify for funding by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) will not be considered.
| Collaborative Grants | |
|---|---|
| max. 4 years | |
| max. CHF 1,000,000 (2-3 groups) |
The typical Single-PI Grant covers the salary and material costs for one doctoral student for up to four years, including travel for the doctoral student to a scientific congress. Post-doctoral research positions are generally not foreseen and will be funded only exceptionally, only for a maximum duration of one year and only in addition to the doctoral student.
Funding for a Collaborative Grant usually includes the salary for generally one doctoral student per PI and material costs for up to four years, and, if well justified, can include funding for a postdoctoral researcher for a maximum of two years. Proposals with, for example, only one joint doctoral student between 2 PIs are also welcome.
For doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers, please use the below standard rates (valid 2026, employment at 100%). The rates include 14.5 % and 15.0 % social security overhead for doctoral students and postdocs, respectively. For other participants, please obtain a salary estimate from Human Resources and enclose the calculation sheets in the proposal.
| Year | Doctoral student | Postdoctoral researcher |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHF 61,300 | CHF 106,400 |
| 2 | CHF 62,600 | CHF 111,800 |
| 3 | CHF 64,200 | (CHF 117,200) |
| 4 | CHF 64,200 | (CHF 117,200) |
| Total | CHF 252,300 (4 yrs) | CHF 218,200 (2 yrs) |
Successful projects will be awarded a lump sum based on salary costs valid at the time of approval. Adjustments of salary scales might be made in adherence to the general ETH Domain remuneration policy as defined by the ETH Board. Any extra costs associated with salary scale adjustments effected during the project funding period must be borne by the applicants.
Submission deadlines are 1 March and 1 September at 17:00 Swiss local time each year.
If a submission deadline falls on a weekend, it will be postponed to the following Monday, 17:00 Swiss local time.
Each application is subjected to an external peer review and is evaluated according to homogenous quality standards by the ETH Zurich Research Commission, which then issues a funding recommendation to the Vice President Research.
PIs will be notified about the funding decision within approximately four months after the application deadline.
PI's are, in general, required to have at least one active SNSF grant or to hold one other substantial, peer-reviewed, external grant, e.g., from the EU. Exceptions are possible e.g. in the case of professors who have newly arrived at ETH Zurich.
A PI must also not submit more than one application per call (including both funding lines).
Employment must be guaranteed for the intended duration of the project.
Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich
Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit
Address: Rämistrasse 101 HG E 32 / 34 8092 Zurich
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1 March and 1 September
$1,237,545
CHF 1,000,000
Affiliation: Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich
Address: Rämistrasse 101 HG E 32 / 34 8092 Zurich
Website URL: https://grantsoffice.ethz.ch/funding-opportunities/internal/eth-grants.html
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