Research in Migration and Health

Growing human mobility and international migration pose significant challenges for health systems, e.g., ensuring access to care, allocating resources effectively, and delivering high-quality care. In Switzerland, there is no national research network specifically dedicated to advancing knowledge in migration and health, despite a growing research activity still largely dispersed across disciplines and institutions. In addition, important research gaps persist: There is a need to assess and improve migrants’ access to health services, to expand the inclusion of migrants in research processes, and to better understand how to promote health resources and health literacy.

The funding program «Research in migration and health» aims to contribute to filling these gaps, to encourage collaboration among research groups in Switzerland, and to promote early-career researchers. In the long term, the output of the supported projects should enhance the ability of the Swiss healthcare system to meet the needs of migrant populations. This goal is in line with the conclusions of the FOPH National Programme on Migration and Health and with the WHO Global research agenda on health, migration and displacement. 

The funding program supports projects which explore innovative ways to deliver high-quality healthcare to migrants and migrant communities in Switzerland, particularly to those currently underserved or with vulnerabilities.

Two research areas are given priority: 

• Evaluation and testing of programs and interventions to support migrant health;
• Documentation of migrant health and associated medical needs and resources. 

Possible research topics include disease prevention; promotion of health; determinants of migrants’ health; health of children and elderly migrants; migration and mental health; barriers in access to healthcare; training of healthcare professionals; integration of migrants into the primary healthcare system; and climate change, migration, and health. 

• For a collaborative project involving at least 2 groups from distinct Swiss research institutions, in general between CHF 200’000 and 300’000 per year, for a maximal duration of 3 years;
• For a smaller project, in general max. CHF 65’000 per year, for a maximal duration of 3 years. 

The collaboration of at least 2 groups from distinct Swiss research institutions is strongly encouraged and is an important evaluation criterion.

Both collaborative projects and smaller projects must include experts from several disciplines as well as early-career researchers. Members of migrant communities and, if applicable, patients who stand to benefit from the proposed research must be included in the design and implementation of the project. 

The inclusion of a partner group based outside of Switzerland is possible if its expertise is necessary for realizing the project. 

Projects must be in the planning stage. Ongoing projects cannot be supported. 

The detailed participation requirements and evaluation criteria are described in the program regulations and in the FAQ.

Applicants must be experienced researchers working at a research institution in Switzerland, with a proven track record in migration and health. All applicants must meet the personal requirements described above and have the necessary scientific qualifications to make a substantial contribution to the project.

A single applicant must be designated as corresponding applicant to represent the collaborating research groups towards the SAMS. 

The grant can support project-related salaries of scientific and technical staff, including doctoral students and postdocs, provided that these are not among the applicants. It can also cover research costs necessary to the realization of the project, including costs for scientific collaboration. 

The costs of short research stays abroad for early-career researchers contributing to the project can be requested in the grant budget if they bring added-value to the project. These costs can comprise an allowance for travel, accommodation and subsistence on top of the project-related salary. 

The salaries of applicants cannot be covered.

The evaluation of applications takes place in one stage, solely on the basis of the submitted proposal. Applications are reviewed by the program Evaluation Committee, which recommends the proposals best fitting the aims of the program for funding to the Johnson Foundation.

Applications must be written in English and registered online. Details about the application format and submission procedure are available on the registration page. We kindly ask you to read the FAQ carefully before preparing your application.

Submission deadline: 1 June 2026

Earliest start of the grant: 1 December 2026

Latest start of the grant: 1 December 2027

Decisions will be communicated by mid-November 2026. 

Regulations of the funding program «Research in Migration and Health»

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Online registration page

Evaluation Committee (will be published early 2026)