SNSF Starting Grants

The SNSF Starting Grants 2022 target researchers who wanted to apply for a 2022 ERC Starting Grant or for an SNSF Eccellenza Professorial Fellowship, in replacement of these funding schemes (see SNSF announcement).

Institute of Physics

This document describes the process for getting support from the Institute of Physics (IPHYS) to apply as a non-professor. EPFL professors can refer to the Research Office funding page for their own application process.

Generalities

Upon successful application, SNSF Starting Grant awardees will receive the title of Assistant Professor (non tenure-track). They head their own research group and supervise the PhD students involved in their project. SNSF Starting Grant awardees receive 100 kCHF of start-up funds.

SNSF Starting Grant applicants who would like to work at IPHYS must first be approved by the hosting institute

Description of the selection process

For the purpose of the internal selection process, a supporting professor needs to endorse the application. This supporting professor must be ready to take over the supervision of the involved PhD students should the grant holder leave EPFL. Moreover, the supporting professor needs to state in an endorsement letter (using the template provided below) either that they commit to provide the necessary space and infrastructure for the success of the proposed project, or they need to provide a list of required lab (with specifications) and office space, and infrastructure. The IPHYS selection takes into account the ability of IPHYS to satisfy the needs of the candidate’s project.

The procedure is expected to proceed as follows:

  • Candidates need to fill out the EPFL online pre-application form for SNSF Starting Grants, and upload a CV with publication list, pdf generated from their mySNF draft application (including project summary and requested funding), motivation letter (maximum 1 page) giving the rationale behind the proposed project and the choice of IPHYS as host institution, endorsement letter from the supporting professor (using the template provided below). IPHYS deadline: 08/12/2021
  • The Research Office, Human Resources, and (if applicable) the Equipment & Centers Management Office conduct an administrative and eligibility check.
  • The Director of the institute discusses the case internally with the Executive Committee, and proposes a list of candidates to be supported in their Eccellenza application to the Dean, who takes the final decision on FSB candidates.
  • Supported candidates will then be asked to provide a draft Detailed confirmation letter (Word format, not signed, using the IPHYS template provided below) in order to have it signed by the Director of the institute.
  • The FSB sends the list of supported candidates to the Research Office, who provides the supported candidates with the General confirmation letter.

The application toolkit, that will be made available after the opening of the call by the SNSF on December 1st, will contain all details. Please read all the documents carefully, follow the instructions and make sure that your application file fulfils all the requirements. Incomplete files will not be considered. If you have questions regarding the IPHYS procedure, please contact Blandine Jérôme ([email protected], +41 21 69 33376). If you have questions regarding the application toolkit, please contact the Research Office ([email protected]).

Timeline & deadlines

IPHYS deadlines are at midnight on the indicated date.  Files received after the deadline will not be considered.

IPHYS pre-application deadline: December 8th, 2021

IPHYS selection process: December 16th, 2021

SNSF application deadline: February 1st, 2022 (17h)

Links

IPHYS template for endorsement by supporting professor

IPHYS template for detailed confirmation letter

EPFL toolkit for SNSF Starting Grants

 EPFL online pre-application form

SNSF Starting Grants