ARAMIS: Federal Policy Research database

The Administration Research Actions Management Information System (ARAMIS) database contains information regarding research projects and evaluations that are run or funded by the Confederation itself. ARAMIS serves as a tool to coordinate scientific content while providing transparency. It also helps to avoid duplication of efforts.

ARAMIS objectives

The objectives pursued by the Confederation with regard to ARAMIS are as follows:

• Creating transparency: publication of the research activities, evaluations and external studies carried out by the Federal Administration.
• Avoiding duplication of efforts: ensuring that similar projects are not already being carried out within the federal administration.
• Efficiently managing research projects: providing federal agencies with a simple tool they can use to manage their research projects in systematic fashion.

Database structure and content

The ARAMIS database consists of a public section and an internal section for administrative use. The public area contains general information on projects, evaluations and studies carried out by the Federal Administration. The data records include project titles, duration, objectives and costs. The internal area contains additional project management data and contract details.

The Federal Statistical Office (FSO) and SERI are able to use ARAMIS data for their own evaluations and statistics.

Background and legal basis

ARAMIS has been operational since 1997 and has greatly contributed to the quality of federal policy research since 2004. Federal policy research is scientific research initiated or commissioned by the Federal Administration to generate knowledge that is needed for its work. Since 2005, ARAMIS has kept track of effectiveness reviews and evaluations across the entire Federal Administration, and since 2019 this has also included external studies.

SERI’s Databases and Analysis Group bears overall responsibility for ARAMIS. The legal basis is provided in the ARAMIS Ordinance of 29 November 2013.