SPIRIT facilitates knowledge exchange between Swiss researchers and researchers in selected partner countries of low and middle income. Funding is awarded to research projects with clearly defined goals that are submitted by excellent research consortia from 2 to 4 countries. Researchers from all disciplines can apply for a SPIRIT grant; the topics are chosen by the researchers themselves.

The COST programme (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) aims at facilitating breakthrough scientific developments leading to new concepts and products. COST brings together European researchers, enabling them to jointly develop their own ideas and new initiatives across all science and technology fields through trans-European cooperation. The COST Actions can be joined by researchers and experts linked to institutions in Switzerland, project applications can be submitted to the SNSF:

Ambizione grants are aimed at young researchers from Switzerland and abroad who wish to conduct, manage and lead an independent project at a Swiss higher education institution. Scientists holding non-professorial academic positions at higher education institutions are also eligible to submit an application. An Ambizione grant covers the grantee's salary and the funds needed to carry out the project. The grants are awarded for a maximum of four years.

PRIMA grants are aimed at excellent women researchers who show a high potential for obtaining a professorship. PRIMA grantees conduct an independent research project at the level of a group leader with their own team at a Swiss research institution. PRIMA grants cover the grantee's salary and project costs for a five-year period. With this competitive grant, PRIMA grantees can carve out a name for themselves and take the next step up the academic career ladder: a professorship.