Changes at the ETH Grants Office

At ETH Zurich, researchers have so far been advised and supported by the Grants Office on internal and national funding opportunities. Support for researchers participating in international research programmes was provided by the EU GrantsAccess unit, which was operated jointly with the University of Zurich (UZH). At the end of June, EU GrantsAccess was dissolved as a joint unit and the employees were integrated into the Division of Research Development at UZH and the Grants Office at ETH Zurich. The aim of this reorganisation is to increase efficiency and make optimum use of synergies.

What is changing?

The Grants Office is now the central point of contact that can provide comprehensive support to ETH researchers with regard to the acquisition and administration of national and international funding. The Grants Office is now divided into three sections: "Research Promotion" for the internal promotion of research and young scientists, "Research Consulting" for support with national and international funding opportunities, and "Resources" for information services for researchers and departmental evaluations.

What remains?

The existing range of services will be continued and includes

• Information on current funding opportunities,
• Advice on applications to public funding organisations in Switzerland and abroad, such as the Swiss National Science Foundation SNSF, Horizon Europe or the U.S. National Institute of Health,
• Support in the management of such new and ongoing third-party funded projects,
• ETH internal funding for research project and fellowships, such as ETH Grants, ETH Fellows or the Branco Weiss Fellowships - Society in Science.

For the management of ETH Zurich's internal research funding programmes, the Grants Office works in close cooperation with the ETH Zurich Research Commission and operates its office as well as that of the ETH Zurich Prize Commission for the awarding of internal research prizes. The Grants Office also contributes to the quality assurance of research at ETH Zurich by organising and supporting the evaluation of ETH Zurich's departments and other units.

Euresearch Regional Office

From 1 July 2024, the Grants Office will also function as the Euresearch Regional Office ETH and will promote the participation of researchers from the ETH Domain (in addition to ETH, also from PSI, WSL, Empa, Eawag) in European projects and programmes in the field of research and innovation. The new Euresearch Regional Office UZH will be responsible for researchers at the University of Zurich. Both regional offices will continue to support companies, spin-offs and other organisations in the Zurich area.

Working together for research

With these measures, the new Grants Office aims to continue to promote excellent research at ETH Zurich by creating framework conditions through funding programmes, events and advice under which research projects and young researchers can flourish.