Cross-cutting themes in the education, research and innovation sector
In line with its legal responsibilities, the federal government provides funding for measures in the areas of general education, vocational and professional education and training, higher education, continuing education and training, and research and innovation. Certain topics have significance for the ERI sector as a whole across all funding areas, and are therefore given special consideration.
For the 2025–2028 ERI funding period, the Federal Council has defined four cross-cutting themes that will receive special attention across all funding areas:
These themes encompass long-term tasks to be pursued beyond the four-year time horizon. They are addressed as far as possible within the framework of existing structures and funding instruments, in accordance with the principles of ERI funding policy. The federal government and ERI stakeholders use strategic objectives and service level agreements to define objectives and performance indicators relating to the four cross-cutting themes.
Sustainable development in the ERI sector
Switzerland attaches great importance to promoting sustainable development. As set out in the Federal Council's 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy, education, research and innovation (ERI) play a crucial role in a sustainable society and economy. This is why sustainable development features prominently in the 2025–2028 ERI Dispatch (in german).
Digitalisation in the ERI sector
The Federal Council aims to ensure that Switzerland exploits the opportunities of digitalisation to the full. The Digital Switzerland Strategy sets out guidelines for government action to shape the necessary transformation processes for the benefit of society. The education, research and innovation (ERI) sector has a major role to play in this and digitalisation thus features prominently in the 2025–2028 ERI Dispatch (in german).
Equal opportunities in the ERI sector
Access to and participation in education, research and innovation (ERI) in Switzerland should be available to all people equally and according to their individual talents. This is why equal opportunities feature prominently in the 2025–2028 ERI Dispatch. (in german).
National and international cooperation in the ERI sector
A smart balance between cooperation and competition ensures the performance and innovative capacity of the Swiss ERI system. Switzerland utilises the synergies of cooperation between national players and a variety of complementary instruments of international cooperation. National and international cooperation is therefore a key feature of the 2025–2028 ERI Dispatch (in german).