What brought you here, Luc? I am a sociologist of science by training. After completing my PhD in Canada, I came to Switzerland to do a postdoc at CERN. I studied the amazing research being done in particle physics from a sociological point of view. And I met my wife during that time. In short, research brought me to Switzerland and love has kept me here.
What is your work as a Grants Manager like? Researchers come to me for advice on a really broad range of funding instruments. I pride myself on having a thorough overview of all the major funding instruments – Horizon Europe (HE) as well as other Swiss and European funding instruments. When deeper knowledge is needed on a specific HE programme, I can always reach out to the Euresearch network for insight. The moderate volume of proposals passing through our Grants Office allows me to devote a good amount of time and attention to each. I get to know our researchers well and can immerse myself deeper into their proposal-writing process. It’s so nice to work with researchers at a more personal level.
What inspires you the most? Music and literature! My home is where my books and records are. To say I’m enthusiastic about music would be an understatement; I probably listen to music at least 6-8 hours a day. Classical music works best when I’m reading a proposal. When I’m writing a report, I’ll often go for jazz. I’m not a musician myself, so I channel my creativity into supporting our researchers.
Facts & Figures:In 2020, the Grants Office at the University of Neuchâtel reviewed 46 EU Horizon 2020 proposals, 87 SNSF proposals, and 25 proposals for other funding instruments. The office also saw 3 patents granted and organised 4 information events during the year.
Leonie Troxler & Hanna Estadieu, InterviewAlexandra Rosakis, Illustration
The EIT, Europe's largest innovation network of business, research and education institutions, has launched its Strategic Innovation Agenda 2021-2027. With a budget of almost €3 billion under Horizon Europe, the EIT will help power Europe’s recovery, and the green and digital transition.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has huge potential to shape our future. The Expert Group will support the preparation of ethical guidelines and help raise awareness among European citizens and educators on the ethical challenges around the use of AI and data in education.
If you are involved in a Horizon Europe proposal and uncertain about what to do in the current situation, have a look at SERI's Frequently Asked Questions, which were updated last week. If you can't find an answer to your question, don't hesitate to contact the Euresearch advisors near you.
This call is an opportunity for European experts to request direct funding for their engagement in international ICT standardisation organisations, working groups or technical committees. Up to €10 000 can be requested for a maximum project duration of 6 months. The call is being run by the StandICT.eu 2023 initiative.Deadline: 15.09.2021
SERI will mandate the SNSF to implement a national transition scheme, since PIs in Switzerland are no longer eligible for the ERC Advanced Grant 2021 call. Deadlines and details will be shared as soon as possible but it is understood that the national transition scheme will resemble the ERC grant conditions and funding insofar as possible (see question 27 in the FAQs).
The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) has confirmed that they intend to fund applicants in Switzerland whose 2021 EIC Accelerator proposals were positively evaluated in the first two stages. If this applies to you, please send your Evaluation Summary Report (ESR) as soon as possible to .
There are many funding programmes for innovation that are still open to Swiss companies. Do not hesitate to check the list we have prepared, to be found on our EIC Accelerator page (please click "more" and go to "Documents"), and to contact the Euresearch Company Advisor in your region to learn more.
This event, on the participation of Swiss institutions in MSCA Doctoral Networks, will look at the legal and financial aspects and discuss what it means to participate as an Associated Partner. A researcher who successfully participated in the 2014 call, when project partners from Switzerland were also receiving national funding, will give a testimonial.Date: 18.08.2021, online
ERC Synergy Grants fund research projects so ambitious that they need 2-4 PIs working closely together. Since one of the PIs may be from a country not associated to Horizon Europe, researchers in Switzerland can be part of a team for the current call. In this online event, you will learn more about this exciting scheme and what it takes to prepare a competitive proposal.Date: 06.09.2021, online
The SESAR JU, in collaboration with DG MOVE, is organising an online information session aimed at providing all interested parties an opportunity to learn about the state of preparations for the future Digital European Sky programme and the SESAR 3 JU, which is expected to be launched at the end of this year.Date: 08.09.2021, online
Experts from Euresearch, Innosuisse and ETH Industry Relations will present national and European funding opportunities for Swiss companies. Examples of projects, presented by companies and researchers who have received funding, will illustrate the key aspects of successful applications. The ETH Industry Day will take place after the event. Please register separately if you plan to attend.Date: 08.09.2021, Zurich
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