UZH Global Strategy and Partnerships Funding Scheme

The UZH Global Strategy and Partnerships Funding Scheme supports UZH faculties, departments and professional service units in pursuing activities that strengthen the impact of the global UZH network in line with the UZH Global Strategy.

The funding scheme is open to joint collaboration initiatives with specific partner universities of the University of Zurich (see list (PDF, 80 KB)). This list has been established together with the faculties and will be adjusted every year.

Level 1: Travel Fund

• Only for individual UZH outgoing researchers and staff.
• For establishing first contacts, e.g. to explore compatibility and ideas for joint activities in the future.
• Applicants may request up to 1,200 CHF as a contribution to travel and accommodation expenses.
• Allocated on a first come, first serve basis, open all year. The application must be submitted a minimum of four weeks prior to departure from UZH.

Level 2: Seed Fund

• For exploring specific collaborative ideas in a group setting, such as a joint workshop, event or specific smaller project.
• Applicants may request up to 5,000 CHF per initiative from UZH and are invited to seek co-funding from the partner institution.
• Expected outcomes:
  • specific plan of action for further collaboration
  • identification of external funding

Level 3: Project Fund

• For deepening existing collaborations with potential of high impact/visibility for UZH.
• Examples for projects include (but are not limited to) comprehensive research activities, establishing joint formats in teaching and research (incl. financing of teaching assistants, PhD students etc.) or initiatives that support the application of large-scale external funding.
• Applicants may request up to 60,000 CHF per initiative from UZH, must submit proof of internal co-funding and are strongly encouraged to seek co-funding from the partner institution.

UZH’s partner universities have the option of matching UZH’s funding at Level 2 and Level 3 but are not obliged to. However, applications that demonstrate matched funding from partner institutions will be given priority. For Level 3, matching funds from another UZH unit are required.

Level 1 is a rolling call where funds are allocated on a first come, first serve basis. Applications must be submitted a minimum of four weeks prior to departure from UZH (see Travel Fund). Calls for proposals for Levels 2 and 3 are open twice a year. The dates for calls in 2023 are:

• First call: start in late January 2023, submission deadline 11 April 2023. The funding decision will be communicated in early June 2023. 
• Second call: start in early August 2023, submission deadline 15 October 2023. The funding decision will be communicated by mid-December 2023. 

The Travel Fund supports the establishing of first contacts to explore compatibility and ideas for joint activities in the future.

The Travel Fund is open to UZH researchers of all disciplines – senior faculty (professors) and/or junior researchers (PhD students or Post-Docs) – and UZH professional staff. Applicants must have UZH employment contracts covering the entire period of the project. The applicant may request up to 1,200 CHF as a contribution to travel and accommodation expenses. Applicants are invited to consider travelling by train wherever feasible.

Selection criteria

The application should elaborate on the importance of the contact towards potential future collaboration and how the visit might serve to launch a sustainable partnership in research/teaching or institutional connections between UZH and the partner institution. Funds are granted on a first come, first served basis.

Evaluation

The evaluation committee consists of representatives of UZH Global Affairs. Please consider this in your application and use non-expert language.

Requirements for application

Applications can be submitted throughout the year. Please submit the following documents:

• Application Form for Travel Fund (DOCX, 65 KB)
• Short CV of the UZH applicant (max. 2 pages)
• For young researchers (PhDs, Postdocs): Statement of support from your chair/institute

Please submit your application in English, via e-mail in one PDF-file to: Susie Dappen, Global Affairs, susie.dappen@uzh.ch

The funding decision will be communicated within six weeks of submission. The application must be submitted a minimum of four weeks prior to departure from UZH. In case funding is granted, the proposed activities should be conducted within one year of the grant confirmation date.

Seed Funding aims to support the exploring of specific collaborative ideas. Joint activities in research, teaching as well as across professional/academic service units are eligible for funding. Applicants may request up to CHF 5,000 through the UZH Global Strategy and Partnerships Funding Scheme. Applications that demonstrate matched funding by partner institutions will be given priority (see list (PDF, 80 KB)).

Example of joint activities

• Organization of joint events, workshops, seminars etc. or
• Small-scale collaborative projects, such as joint thesis, module etc.

Selection criteria

• Benefits of the proposed activities for establishing sustainable collaboration
• Potential for identifying external funding
• Involvement/fostering of junior researchers (PhD students, Post-Docs)

Co-Funding

• Matching funds from partner universities increase the chances of obtaining a grant.
• Matching funds can come from any source (researchers’ own budget, external funding, partner university etc.).
• Funds do not need to be matched exactly as 50:50, in-kind contributions from partner universities are accepted.

Who can apply

• Applicants must have UZH employment contracts covering the entire period of the project.
• Open to UZH researchers of all disciplines (from Post-Doc onwards)
• Open to UZH professional staff

Evaluation

The evaluation committee consists of representatives of UZH Global Affairs and the Offices of VP Research and VP Education and Student Affairs. Please consider this in your application and use non-expert language.

Requirements for application

Please submit the following documents with your application:

1. Completed application form (DOCX, 72 KB)
2. Complete CV(s) of project leader(s) and a list of all prospective recipients on both sides
3. Endorsement letter of respective Head of Department at UZH (including a statement regarding the scientific/institutional merit of the proposed activity)
4. Evidence of co-funding through partner institution (if applicable)

Application Deadline for the second call of 2023: 15 October 2023.
Please submit your application in English, via e-mail in one PDF-file to: Susie Dappen, Global Affairs, susie.dappen@uzh.ch

The funding decision will be communicated by mid-December 2023. In case funding is granted, the proposed activities should be conducted within one year from the grant confirmation date.

Projects for the Project Fund should pursue the goal of deepening existing links with  partner institution(s) and promoting UZH’s global reputation and visibility.

Joint projects in research, teaching as well as across professional/academic service units are eligible for funding. Please note that this line is highly competitive due to limited funds available. Applicants may request up to CHF 60,000 through the UZH Global Strategy and Partnerships Funding Scheme per project and must submit proof of internal co-funding. Applications that demonstrate matched funding by partner institutions will be given priority (see list of partners (PDF, 80 KB)).

Examples of project costs that can be covered through the funding

Level 3 aims at supporting comprehensive projects and formats in research, teaching and/or across professional/academic service units. Costs that can be covered through the funding include (but are not limited to):

• Travel and accommodation expenses
• Organization of workshops, symposia etc.
• Salaries of Student assistants (BA/MA) and/or PhD students

Selection criteria

• Benefits of the proposed project to further deepen the existing collaboration
• Potential of the project to promote UZH’s global reputation and visibility
• Alignment with the international agenda of the faculty or UZH's Global Strategy 2030
• Potential for acquiring external funding
• Interdisciplinary approach
• Involvement of junior researchers (PhD students, Post-Docs)
• Joint teaching components (Bachelor/Master/PhD level)
• The activity is designed in consideration of environmental sustainability (e. g. virtual meetings or train travels instead of air travel, sharing of technology, sustainable procurement, etc.)

Co-Funding

• Internal UZH in cash co-funding of at least 50% is required (through faculty, department, institute).
• Global Affairs highly recommends co-funding from a partner university and will prioritize applications that can demonstrate this, in-kind contributions are allowed.
• Example for Co-Funding:

CHF 60,000 requested
+ 50% internal Co-Funding (in cash)  CHF 30,000
+ for example CHF 30,000 Co-Funding of Partner University (could be any other amount, in cash before in-kind)
= CHF 120,000 for your project

Who can apply

• Applicants must have UZH employment contracts covering the entire period of the project.
• Open to UZH researchers of all disciplines (from Post-Doc onwards and with the position of a regular faculty member)
• Open to UZH professional staff

Evaluation

The evaluation committee consists of the President, representatives of UZH Global Affairs and the Offices of VP Research and VP Education and Student Affairs. Please consider this in your application and use non-expert language.

Requirements for application

Please submit the following documents for your application:

1. Completed application form (DOCX, 73 KB)
2. Complete CV(s) of project leader(s) and a list of all prospective recipients on both sides
3. Endorsement letter of the Dean of the respective Faculty at UZH (ideally, the project should be in line with the international agenda of the Faculty and support UZH's Global Strategy 2030)
4. Endorsement letter of the respective Head of Department at UZH (including a statement regarding the scientific/institutional merit of the proposed activity)
5. Endorsement letter of the respective Head of Department at the partner university
6. Proof of internal in cash co-funding of at least 50% of the amount applied for (through UZH faculty, department, institute etc.)
7. Evidence of co-funding through partner institution (if applicable)

Application Deadline for the third call of 2023: 15 October 2023.
Please submit your application in English, via e-mail in one PDF-file to: Susie Dappen, Global Affairs, susie.dappen@uzh.ch

The funding decision will be communicated by mid-December 2023. In case funding is granted, the proposed activities should be conducted within three years after the grant confirmation.

Level 1/Travel Fund: No co-funding is required.

Level 2/Seed Fund: Global Affairs highly recommends co-funding and will prioritize applications that can demonstrate this (via a letter of support or similar). The matching fund can be from any source (researchers’ own budget, third party funding, etc.) and not necessarily from a partner university. Funds also do not need to be matched exactly as 50:50 and in-kind contributions are allowed. However, matching funds from partner universities increase the chances to obtain a grant.

Level 3/Project Fund:
Internal UZH in cash co-funding of at least 50% is required (through UZH faculty, department, institute). Global Affairs highly recommends co-funding from a partner university and will prioritize applications that can demonstrate this (via a letter of support or similar). In-kind contributions from a partner university are allowed.

Yes, you are eligible to apply.

Funds must be spent within the projected timeline. After that, any remaining funds are to be returned to Global Affairs.

Only applications that involve a UZH partner university according to our list (PDF, 80 KB) will be considered.

• Salaries of project leaders or regular faculty members
• Conference or event registration fees unless specifically for presenting the findings of the project
• Purchase of office equipment (computers, printers) or laboratory inventory

The above list is not exhaustive. Please contact Global Affairs if you would like clarification.