Information for Researchers
Research promotion by Synapsis Foundation – more than just research funding
- More than 140 Research Projects
- More than CHF 35 Mio.
- 10 Scientific Events
FUNDING POSSIBILITIES
Dementia Research Switzerland - Synapsis Foundation is actively shaping the future of dementia research in Switzerland and beyond by sponsoring innovative projects and empowering the next generation of researchers.
The foundation brings together private donors and institutional partners to accelerate progress in neurodegeneration research, advancing discovery across multiple levels:
Synapsis Foundation is launching a new call for proposals entitled “Digital and Non-Pharmacological Approaches for Dementia Prevention, Diagnosis and Care in Real-World Settings.”
This call supports projects that develop and validate digital and non-pharmacological innovations aimed at preventing dementia, improving its early detection and enhancing treatment and care for people living with the condition.
Its objective is to generate robust scientific evidence on the impact, feasibility, and user acceptance of these approaches in routine clinical and care settings, thereby facilitating their sustainable integration into everyday practice.
Grants:
- Pilot Grants: Supporting the exploration of new research directions and the generation of preliminary data to lay the foundation for future projects
- Consolidator Grants: Enabling cutting-edge research with lasting impact
Funded topics include:
- Prevention strategies to reduce dementia risk, delay onset, or slow progression
- Innovative digital tools to improve timely and accurate diagnosis
- Non-pharmacological approaches to enhance treatment, support and quality of care
Synapsis Foundation is committed to fostering talent and innovation at every career stage, from early-career researchers to established leaders. To this end, the foundation offers the following grants:
- Principal Investigator Grants: Fueling innovative projects led by established research teams
- Career Development Awards: Empowering advanced postdoctoral researchers at Swiss universities and research institutions to establish themselves as independent investigators in neurodegenerative disease research
To accelerate discoveries in neurodegeneration research, the Synapsis Foundation supports research projects in the following areas:
- Genetics, molecular, and cell biology research – unlocking new insights into disease mechanisms
- Innovative translational and clinical approaches – advancing early diagnosis (including biomarkers), novel therapies and preventive strategies
The Synapsis Foundation Booster Fund provides targeted financial support to bold, innovative projects that drive progress in neurodegenerative research. It is designed to empower promising ideas that fall outside the scope of the Foundation’s other funding instruments, ensuring that groundbreaking approaches have the opportunity to move forward.
For Booster Fonds application please contact hess_at_demenz-forschung.ch.
- Applications can only be submitted by scientists working at a university or other research institution located in Switzerland. In the case of Career Development Awards, funding in an EMBO Member Country is possible, but only in a second phase (following the first phase at a Swiss institution).
- Researchers can only submit one project at a time as main applicant.
- Only one project per main applicant is funded at a time.
- Researchers can only apply if they did not receive any funds from Synapsis Foundation for at least one year at the time of application.
- For more information on eligibility and funding please read the FAQ's.
Evaluation Criteria:
The Scientific Advisory Board evaluates the submitted research proposals, supported by external experts, according to the following criteria:
- Originality and innovation
- Scientific quality
- Feasibility
- Experience and past performance
- Compliance with application requirements
Evaluation Process
- Evaluation and pre-selection of letters of intent by the Scientific Advisory Board
- Evaluation of full proposals by the Scientific Advisory Board supported by reviews and recommendations of renowned external experts
- Selection of projects to be funded by the Scientific Advisory Board
- Decision on funding of selected projects by the Board of Trustees
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Dementia Research Switzerland – Synapsis Foundation is launching the 2026 Call for Proposals. This year, Synapsis Foundation is inviting innovative research project from different research areas:
- Principal Investigator-initiated projects and Career Development Grants in the field of basic, translational and clinical research
- Grants in the field of health services research developing and/or validating digital and non-pharmacological approaches for dementia prevention, diagnosis and care in real-world settings
Information on Grants
Explore below the call for proposals and application forms for Synapsis Foundation’s 2026 research project competitions. We encourage you to review each call carefully and choose the application form that best fits your preferred funding opportunity. A thorough reading of the requirements will help ensure your proposal aligns closely with the programme’s goals and maximizes its impact.
The application process takes place in two stages: first, the submission of a letter of intent, followed by the pre-selection of project ideas that best fit the call. Selected applicants are then invited to submit a full proposal in the second stage.
How to submit your project outline:
- Read the call documents carefully.
- Choose the funding mechanism that fits your project.
- Download the letter of intent template corresponding to your selected funding mechanism.
- Consult our FAQ’s for guidance.
- Compile all required documents listed in the template into a single PDF file, using the specified nomenclature.
- Submit your letter of intent via the online submission tool.
Important: Applications will only be considered if they use the official template, adhere to all guidelines stipulated in the call papers and FAQs and are submitted in PDF format through the submission tool.
Submission deadline for the letter of intent: 8 April 2026.
- 28 February 2026: Publication of Call for Proposals 2026
- 8 April 2026: Submission deadline for letter of intent
- 12 May 2026: Invitation to submit a full proposal for the best-rated project outlines
- 18 May 2026: Rejection letters sent to unsuccessful applicants
- 5 July 2026: Submission deadline for full proposal
- 30 November 2026: Funding recommendation by the Scientific Advisory Board
- 10 December 2026: Funding decision by the Board of Trustees
- Mid December 2026: Communication to applicants regarding funding/rejection
- January to March 2027: preparation and signing of the grant agreements
FAQ Online Session
If you have any questions regarding your application, join our FAQ Online Session on 12 March 2026 at 13:00.
To register to the FAQ Online Session please write an e-mail to hess_at_demenz-forschung.ch with “FAQ Session” in the subject line.
Do you have questions about our funding instruments or eligibility criteria?
Please check our FAQs or write an e-mail to hess_at_demenz-forschung.ch.
SCIENTIFIC EVENTS
In order to improve networking and the exchange of knowledge between scientists from different disciplines and institutions, Synapsis Foundation organizes events for researchers. The intention is to support the establishment of new research collaborations and to make optimal use of synergies.
- 1 - 5 March 2026: European Research Academy on Alzheimer’s Disease (Bertinoro, Italy)
- 30 November - 1 December 2026: Synapsis Forum
CONTACT
Heide Marie Hess
Liaison Officer Research
Phone number: +41 44 271 35 11
Email address: hess_at_demenz-forschung.ch
Swiss Network for Dementia Research
Founded by Dementia Research Switzerland – Synapsis Foundation, the Swiss Network for Dementia Research aims to advance networking and collaboration across different disciplines and institutions in dementia research. With a diverse range of networking events, interdisciplinary educational programs, and an online community platform providing access to information on services, infrastructure, and research tools, it builds bridges across the field.
Building a dynamic dementia community:
- Promoting knowledge exchange and fostering new collaborations to drive new impulses in dementia research.
- Accelerating the translation of research findings into clinical practice.
- Supporting early-career scientists.
- Strengthening the research field and increasing the visibility of Swiss dementia studies.
Shaping the future of dementia research with us.