Overview
Where SNSF stands on contributorship and open research
As a member of cOAlition S, the SNSF mandates immediate open access under Plan S for funded publications. The SNSF has been a leader in responsible research assessment, adopting evidence-based narrative CVs and signing DORA. The SNSF does not mandate CRediT by name, but its open-science and responsible-assessment framework supports transparent contributorship, and CRediT is widely used on the resulting publications.
CRediT status: Encouraged - Guidance or programme calls reference CRediT, but formal policy text is silent.
Open access
SNSF Open Access policy (Plan S aligned; cOAlition S member)
The SNSF requires that all peer-reviewed publications resulting from funded research be made open access immediately on publication, with no embargo, under an open licence. The SNSF covers open-access publication costs and supports both gold open access and repository-based green open access compliant with Plan S.
Research data management
Data sharing requirements
SNSF Data Management Plan required for all funded projects; FAIR-aligned; data must be shared in recognised repositories.
Submission and reporting
How SNSF researchers apply and report
| Primary submission system | mySNF (the SNSF online application and grant-management portal) |
| Biosketch / CV format | SNSF evidence-based academic CV (narrative; DORA-aligned) |
| Reporting cycle | Scientific and final reports via mySNF; outputs made openly available |
SNSF applicants submit through the mySNF portal. All funded projects must include a Data Management Plan and make peer-reviewed publications immediately open access with no embargo. The SNSF requires an ORCID iD for applicants and has moved to an evidence-based, narrative-style CV (the SciCV / academic CV) that emphasises the significance of contributions over publication counts, in line with DORA. The SNSF covers open-access publication costs for compliant outputs.
Contributorship guidance
How SNSF handles contributor attribution
The SNSF defers to journal practice on contributorship for publications while promoting, through its DORA commitment and narrative-CV approach, a qualitative and transparent view of research contributions. CRediT is widely used on SNSF-funded publications because most journals require it.
For authors
Publishing from SNSF funding
When publishing from SNSF funding, make the peer-reviewed article open access immediately with no embargo - either via an open-access journal or by depositing the accepted manuscript under an open licence in a recognised repository. The SNSF can cover compliant open-access publication costs. Acknowledge SNSF funding using the standard format that names the Swiss National Science Foundation and the grant number. Ensure your ORCID iD is linked in mySNF, include a CRediT statement at the publisher's request, and maintain your FAIR-aligned Data Management Plan.
For general CRediT submission guidance across publishers, see CRediT for authors.
Notable initiatives
SNSF programmes and infrastructure
- cOAlition S member
- DORA signatory
- Evidence-based narrative CV (academic CV)
- SNSF open-access monitoring
Notes
Caveats and context
The SNSF is one of the clearest examples of a funder pairing a strict no-embargo open-access mandate with responsible-assessment reform through narrative CVs and DORA.
Frequently asked
Common questions about SNSF
- Does SNSF require CRediT?
- SNSF does not require CRediT at the policy-text level, but guidance and programme materials reference it. As a member of cOAlition S, the SNSF mandates immediate open access under Plan S for funded publications. The SNSF has been a leader in responsible research assessment, adopting evidence-based narrative CVs and signing DORA. The SNSF does not mandate CRediT by name, but its open-science and responsible-assessment framework supports transparent contributorship, and CRediT is widely used on the resulting publications.
- What is SNSF's open access policy?
- SNSF Open Access policy (Plan S aligned; cOAlition S member). The SNSF requires that all peer-reviewed publications resulting from funded research be made open access immediately on publication, with no embargo, under an open licence. The SNSF covers open-access publication costs and supports both gold open access and repository-based green open access compliant with Plan S.
- How do I report contributorship to SNSF?
- The SNSF defers to journal practice on contributorship for publications while promoting, through its DORA commitment and narrative-CV approach, a qualitative and transparent view of research contributions. CRediT is widely used on SNSF-funded publications because most journals require it.
- Where do I submit a SNSF application?
- SNSF applications are submitted through mySNF (the SNSF online application and grant-management portal). SNSF applicants submit through the mySNF portal. All funded projects must include a Data Management Plan and make peer-reviewed publications immediately open access with no embargo. The SNSF requires an ORCID iD for applicants and has moved to an evidence-based, narrative-style CV (the SciCV / academic CV) that emphasises the significance of contributions over publication counts, in line with DORA. The SNSF covers open-access publication costs for compliant outputs.
- What is SNSF's data sharing requirement?
- SNSF Data Management Plan required for all funded projects; FAIR-aligned; data must be shared in recognised repositories. Researchers should follow the data-management plan submitted with the application and deposit data in a recognised repository where appropriate.
References
Sources
- SNSF Open Access policy
- SNSF Data Management Plan guidelines
- SNSF evidence-based CV and DORA commitment
