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Editorial Jusqu’ici tout va bien ! We have good reason to be proud of research “made in Switzerland”. Almost no other country in the world has won such a plethora Martin Vetterli of awards. Be it the President of the National number of innovaResearch Council tions, publications or of the SNSF patents, Switzerland is always at the cutting edge – and the SNSF has undoubtedly contributed to its success. That said, new challenges are likely to emerge in the next few years. For instance, the needs of established researchers have changed considerably in recent years – and those of young researchers as well. At the same time, research funding has become a lot more international. We will hence have a lot of work to do in the coming years and, for me as the new President, it is a great honour to be able to lend a hand. After my PhD years (incidentally also funded by the SNSF) and many years as a professor abroad and in Switzerland, I will from now on put my experience to work for the success of Swiss research funding. At the same time, I will always try to look ahead and remain alert to the changing needs of researchers. But for the moment we can say “so far, so good”...
N° 18 > April 2013
I n f o r m a t i o n f o r r e s e a r c h e r s f r o m t h e S w i s s N a t i o n a l S c i e n c e Fo u n d a t i o n
Funding measures defined until 2016 In its Action Plan, the SNSF presents specific funding measures for 2013-2016. The measures are focused on three main areas: the promotion of a sufficient number of young researchers, flexible support for those striving for excellence and valorisation of research and its results. Daniel Höchli, Director of the Administrative Offices
Switzerland is a highly successful and attractive research location. That said, its higher education institutions and funding organisations need to create the right conditions so that we can continue to attract innovative researchers, encourage more talented young people in Switzerland to pursue an academic career and maintain Switzerland's leading position as a research location in the long term.
Funding policy: three main areas Against this backdrop and based on a comprehensive assessment of the situation, the SNSF is focusing its funding activities for 2013-2016 on three main areas: • Ensure enough young scientists by offering funding schemes that are career-friendly • Flexibly support researchers striving for excellence • Valorise research and research results through intensified knowledge and technology transfer as well as dialogue with politicians and the public In its Action Plan 2013-2016, the SNSF describes the measures with which these goals are to be achieved. The Action Plan is based on the Multi-Year Programme, in which the SNSF presented its strategy and the corresponding need for funds to the Federal Authorities in 2010. The MultiYear Programme was elaborated in consultation with the partner organisations (particularly CRUS, KFH, Academies, CTI).
A priority of the SNSF: offering career-friendly funding schemes to make the prospect of an academic career more appealing to young scientists.
Parliament finally allocated CHF 3.7 billion to the SNSF for 2013-2016, approximately CHF 900 million less than requested in the Multi-Year Programme. While maintaining the overall goals mentioned above, the SNSF was forced to set priorities with regard to the funding measures to be implemented between 2013 and 2016. These measures are set out in a service level agreement with the Federal Government. The Action Plan summarises the relevant measures, points out those that cannot be implemented due to financial constraints and takes an initial look at what the future might bring beyond 2016. www.snsf.ch > About us > Funding policy > Multi-Year Programme
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