The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the UK Nat
ional Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) are looking to fund investigator-led randomised controlled clinical trials in areas of unmet clinical need.
This opportunity will be opening in April 2025. In recognition that effective cross country research collaboration and the development of competitive clinical trial proposals takes time, we are announcing this future funding opportunity in advance of its official opening. This means that researchers can start building multidisciplinary research teams and prepare their proposals now.
SNSF and NIHR have jointly committed in the region of 8.8 million CHF/£8 million GBP to this funding
opportunity. We anticipate funding 2-3 awards for collaborative Swiss-UK clinical studies.
International collaboration supports the advancement of clinical studies aiming to prevent, detect, or treat disease. Clinical trials often require recruitment of patients beyond national borders, and additional expertise and equipment from abroad can boost the scope and effectiveness of a study.
Key dates
- 9 December 2024 – Joint Swiss-UK funding opportunity preannouncement: SNSF Scientific Exchanges scheme – rolling opportunity and available NIHR support
- 9 January 2025 – Pre-launch webinar to support applicants in preparing for the 2025 funding opportunity
- 2 April 2025 – 2025 Swiss-UK Clinical Trials funding opportunity opens
- May 2025 – Webinar to support 2025 Swiss-UK Clinical Trials applicants
- 9 September 2025 – Deadline for applications
Webinar
We will be holding a joint pre-launch webinar with SNSF to support interested applicants. This will provide details of the scope of the future funding opportunity and outline the Scientific Exchanges funding available from SNSF to help develop Swiss-UK collaborations in relevant areas, as well as the range of NIHR support for applicants in preparing and delivering research proposals.
The webinar will be held on 9 January 2025 14:00 UK / 15:00 Switzerland. Please use this link to sign up.
There will be a second webinar in May 2025 to provide further details and guidance after the launch of the Swiss-UK Clinical Trials funding opportunity – date TBC.
Studies within a trial or review
This funding opportunity is eligible for a SWAT/SWAR (study within a trial or study within a review), which can help significantly improve methodology of future research as well as the host study. Find out about the benefits of SWATs/SWARs and how to include one in your application.
Visit funding web page
(https://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/swiss-uk-investigator-led-randomised-controlled-clinical-trials-areas-unmet-clinical-need/2025200)
