Advanced Physician Scientists Grants

Physician scientists play an essential role in identifying unmet medical needs, advancing the understanding of disease mechanisms and translating new knowledge into better patient care. Thanks to private foundations and institutional partners, the SAMS encourages junior physicians to acquire the skills for a career as clinician-scientist through programs targeting the first career stages.

However, once they have acquired a strong foundation in research, often extended by a research stay abroad, senior residents and attending physicians are confronted with the scarce funding options and lack of positions in Swiss hospitals that allow to pursue competitive research, while taking on increasing clinical responsibilities.

By funding the protected research time needed to develop scientific independence at the mid-career stage, the «Advanced Physician Scientists Grants» program aims to increase the number of physician scientists trained in Switzerland who remain competitive for professorships and clinical leadership positions in Swiss hospitals.

The supported research can be fundamental or clinical.

Advanced Physician Scientists Grants are awarded for 2 years.

Grantees must devote 50% of their working time to their research project, in parallel to a clinical position as senior resident or attending physician.

Both the research and clinical activity must take place in Switzerland.

• The grant provides a fixed amount of CHF 70’000 per year to cover 50% of the grantee’s salary as protected research time. Any difference between this amount and the effective salary corresponding to the position must be covered by the host institution.
• In addition, up to CHF 50’000 per year can be requested to support early-career researchers (e.g. MD students) working under the supervision of the grantee.

Applicants must:

• hold a state examination in medicine, generally obtained in Switzerland, and a doctorate (MD or MD-PhD);
• have completed their clinical training and obtained a specialist title;
• be employed or formally affiliated with a Swiss university hospital, university or research institution and have a position as senior resident or attending physician at a Swiss university hospital or cantonal hospital;
• be generally under 45 years old;
• have the equivalent of at least 1 year of full-time research experience in Switzerland and have generally spent 1 year at a university hospital or research institution abroad. As an alternative to the year abroad, the equivalent of an additional year of full-time research experience in Switzerland is possible;
• have a strong scientific track record relative to their career stage;
• have the support of their host institution during and after the grant.
• Applicants who have obtained their medical degree abroad must additionally have been employed for at least 2 years at a Swiss university hospital or cantonal hospital by the submission deadline.

Detailed participation requirements and evaluation criteria are described in the program regulations.

The evaluation of applications for an Advanced Physician Scientists Grant takes place in two stages. Applications are first reviewed by the Evaluation Committee. Preselected applicants are then invited to an interview with the Committee, which makes a funding recommendation to the Bangerter Foundation.

Applications must be written in English and registered online. Details about the application format and submission procedure are available on the registration page.

Submission deadline: 30 November 2026
Interviews in Bern: February 2027 (upon invitation)
Earliest start of the grant: 1 April 2027
Latest start of the grant: 1 April 2028

Gottfried and Julia Bangerter-Rhyner Foundation

Regulations Advanced Physician Scientists Grants

Online registration page

Evaluation Committee (will be published at the end of 2026)