Federal education, research, and innovation policy

Every four years, the Federal Council formulates its policy on the promotion of education, research and innovation (ERI) to submit to Parliament. In the 2025–2028 ERI Dispatch, it takes stock of the previous funding period and presents the planned objectives, measures and expenditures for the next funding period. The Swiss Parliament adopted the corresponding budgetary framework in the autumn session of 2024.

Long-term sustained promotion of education, research and innovation (ERI) is one of the pillars of Switzerland's success. A high-quality education system encourages personal development and integration into the labour market and enables lifelong learning. Education and research are the basis for creativity, inventiveness and entrepreneurship and are thus essential prerequisites for the innovative capacity of companies and the competitiveness of our country. In accordance with Switzerland's federal policy system, responsibilities for the various funding tasks in the ERI sector are divided between the Confederation and the cantons.

The ERI financial report provides a consolidated overview of federal and cantonal funding for education, research, and innovation (ERI). In addition to a general analysis of ERI funding in Switzerland, it focuses on the areas of higher education and vocational education and training, which are jointly funded by the federal government and the cantons. The ERI financial report has been published annually since 2024.