The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Research Cooperation. Through a "Lead Agency Opportunity", NSF and SNSF will allow proposers from both countries to submit a collaborative proposal that will undergo a single review process at the Lead Agency. The Lead Agency will alternate between NSF and SNSF on an annual basis, and the review process will follow the usual evaluation process for the Lead Agency.
Regardless of Lead Agency, U.S. proposers must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) following the instructions. The first EOI deadline will be 17 February 2023; all subsequent EOI deadlines will be at least 60 calendar days in advance of the submission of the full proposal to the Lead Agency (e.g., 3 August 2023, for the October 2023 SNSF full proposal deadline). EOIs will be used to determine eligibility for the Lead Agency Opportunity.
SNSF is expected to serve as the Lead Agency:
- From April 1st, 2023, through March 31st, 2024
- From April 1st, 2025, through March 31st, 2026
NSF is expected to serve as the Lead Agency:
- From April 1st, 2024, through March 31st, 2025
- From April 1st, 2026, through March 31st, 2027,
SNSF will be the Lead Agency in the first year and will accept proposals on their deadlines of 3 April and 2 October 2023.
