Swiss National Science Foundation

The SNF is a private organisation, largely funded by the government, which promotes basic research in Switzerland. It supports research in all disciplines, from philosophy and biology to the nanosciences and medicine. The main task of the SNF is to evaluate the quality of research proposals submitted by scientists and to provide funding on the basis of priorities and available financial resources. It funds more than 7,000 researchers every year, of which 5000 or more are 35 or younger.