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We strive to support our Early Career Researchers in their educational journey by combining high quality interdisciplinary training, dedicated career development, and access to funding and collaboration opportunities. Through workshops, summer and wintert schools, mentoring formats such as career conversations, and internal grant schemes, ECRs are empowered to develop independent research profiles while benefiting from a strong national and international network.
For more information or support, please contact the education office at: education@evolvinglanguage.ch
Upcoming Events
NCCR joint Colloquium Fall 2026
The NCCR co-hosts a series of talks between the Universities of Geneva (Neuro-Connect Seminars), Zurich (ISLE Colloquium) and Neuchâtel (“CogSci”). These talks take place during the Fall and Spring semesters, once per semester in every institution .
NCCR x ISLE Colloquium
Prof. Simon Fisher, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen
Tue, November 10, 2026 16:15-18:00
UZH Oerlikon – room AFL-F-121
NCCR x NEURO-Connect Series
Jun.-Prof. Benjamin Gagl, University of Cologne
Tue, December 1, 2026, 12:15-13:15
UNIGE Campus Biotech – room H8-01-D
Zoom link
NCCR x Cognitive Science Seminars
Prof. Katie Slocombe, University of York
Thu, December 10, 2026, 16:00-18:00
UNINE – room R113
Career Conversations: Beyond the Straight Path
The Career Conversations are a series of talks featuring a diverse set of researchers who discuss their career trajectories in research and beyond. The sessions focus on the decisions, challenges, and turning points that have shaped their professional paths, while also offering mentoring insights, for researchers at different career stages, notably ECRs. We hope that the stories and experiences will support you in navigating your own career paths!
- Career Conversations Fall 2025: Valentina Borghesani, Paola Cerrito, John Mansfield & Zegni Triki
- Career Conversations Spring 2026: Klaus Zuberbühler, Balthasar Bickel, Nina Kazanina
- Conversations Fall 2026: This semester we invited NCCR-alumni to share their path before, during and after the NCCR.
- Alessandra Rampinini: October 15, 16:30-18:00, Geneva
- Emilie Genty: October 29, 16:30-18:00, Zurich
- Arrate Isasi-Isasmendi: November 11, 16:30-18:00, Zurich
- Vanessa Wilson: November 26, 16:30-18:00, Neuchâtel
NCCR Grants
NCCR Travel Grant
Travel Grants are a funding instrument of the NCCR Evolving Language and are intended to financially support NCCR researchers to attend a scientific event. NCCR researchers can apply for grants of CHF 500 (travel within Europe) or grants of CHF 1’000 (travel outside Europe) once per calendar year.
NCCR Master Student Support Grant
The NCCR Evolving Language supports master students to facilitate master thesis projects (both in our own and worldwide partner institutions) with a typical contribution of CHF 3’000 (max. CHF 5’000, amounts between CHF 3’000 – CHF 5’000 will need to be justified more forcefully). That contributes concrete research to a specific WP, off-setting, for example, fieldwork or experimental costs.
NCCR Writing Initiative Grants
The Writing Initiatives Grant is a funding instrument of the NCCR Evolving Language and is intended to financially support writing focused initiatives proposed and organised by Early Career Researchers (ECRs). These initiatives should aim to foster sustained academic writing, peer exchange and shared research practices within the NCCR community.
A total budget of for the whole NCCR up to CHF 5,000 for Phase 2 is available. Funding may be awarded to one initiative or split across multiple proposals, depending on the scope and quality of the submissions.
Other Funding Opportunities
Grants List
We created a list of grants available for researchers to explore when seeking funding opportunities, such as the SNSF Postdoc.Mobility Grant or the SNSF Gender equality grant.
Please note that this list is non-exhaustive – there may be other grants out there that could be relevant or beneficial. If you know of any additional grants that might be of interest to our researchers, feel free to email the NCCR Education Officer so we can keep this resource as helpful and up-to-date as possible.
SNSF Mobility Grant for NCCR Members
The NCCR Mobility Grant supports doctoral researchers employed within an NCCR who wish to undertake a research stay abroad as part of their doctorate. It funds a single stay of 6 to 12 months at a host institution that contributes to both the doctoral project and the researcher’s career development. Eligible costs include travel, accommodation, institutional fees, and participation in relevant scientific conferences, with funding of up to CHF 20,000 (or more in cases involving accompanying family members). The grant aims to promote international mobility and foster academic and professional development while researchers remain enrolled and employed within their Swiss institution.
Submission deadline: Anytime
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Educational Resources
Preparation for fieldwork
This form is designed to support safe, responsible, and well prepared fieldwork. It should be completed jointly by the fieldworker and their supervising PI before departure. The purpose of the form is to facilitate discussion about fieldwork plans, identify potential risks, review mitigation measures, and ensure that all necessary preparations, approvals, and support arrangements are in place. The form does not replace institutional requirements, travel regulations, ethics approvals, or other mandatory procedures established by your home institution.
Schools and Retreats
Every year, the NCCR Evolving Language organises a school/retreat. This week long event is an opportunity to gather all the NCCR members in one place, where new ideas and group cohesion is of utmost importance.
Join us for the NCCR International Summer School 2027
In 2027, we will host a international Summer School in Zurich from September 6-10, 2027, open to researchers both within and beyond the NCCR Evolving Language network.
The programme is currently under development. If you would like to receive updates and be notified as soon as applications open and further information becomes available, please leave your email address below.
Participation grants will be available for selected participants.
