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).

Equal opportunity means that everyone has the chance to fulfil their potential without disadvantage. Article 2 paragraph 3 of the Federal Constitution states that Switzerland must ensure the greatest possible equality of opportunity among its citizens. The principles of non-discrimination (Art. 8 para. 2), gender equality (Art. 8 para. 3) and the elimination of discrimination against persons with disabilities (Art. 8 para. 4) are of particular significance in this regard. The Federal Constitution also contains provisions relating to formal equal opportunities in the education system (Art. 61a).

In education, research and innovation (ERI) the Federal Council will continue its efforts to reduce disadvantage and inequality in the coming years. Key areas of action in the ERI sector are equal opportunities between the sexes, diversity, inclusion and integration, as well as systemic equal access to education.

The principal measures in the ERI sector that are supported by the federal government and implemented primarily by ERI players include:

• Measures to promote equality between men and women, also with the aim of making better use of potential in the domestic labour force.
• The promotion of young talent and careers for women in research, science and innovation via specific career, project or programme funding instruments (e.g. SNSF Professorial Fellowship, Academies, swissuniversities' coordination programmes, ETH Zurich, Innosuisse).
• Research and monitoring on equity and gender (e.g. Swiss Education Report, SNSF Equality, swissuniversities Gender Monitoring, ETH Zurich Equality Monitoring, EPFL Gender Monitoring).
• The promotion of STEM skills (science, technology, engineering and mathematics): Here the focus is on girls and women as well as children and young people from educationally or socially disadvantaged backgrounds (STEM promotion by the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences and Gender Equality Strategy 2030 – Increasing the proportion of women in tertiary education in the STEM sector).
• Measures for the actual equality of people with disabilities, for example as part of the Vocational Training 2030 initiative or at higher education institutions via their internal offices on studying and disability.
• A stronger focus on diversity, inclusion and integration in the ERI sector (e.g. Diversity mainstreaming checklist by swissuniversities or in the space sector: Eight steps to advance ESA diversity).
• Campaigns to raise awareness of and prevent bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment at institutions in the ERI sector.
• Promotion of entry, transfer and re-entry throughout the education system.
• Working with the cantons to promote basic skills programmes for adults.

Documents

• Overview of measures and activities focusing on equal opportunities (in german)

  PDF372.30 kB29 September 2025

Statutory basis

Gender Equality

• Federal Constitution (Art. 8 paras 2 and 3)
• HEdA, VPETA, RIPA, CETA
• Gender Equality Act GEA
• UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (in force since 1997)
• UNESCO Agenda 2030 and SDGs: Goals 5 and 10

Integration of people with disabilities

• Federal Constitution (Art. 8 paras 2 and 3)
• HEdA, VPETA, RIPA, CETA
• Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
• UN-UNESCO: Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (of 13.12 2006, in force for CH since 2014)
• UNESCO Agenda 2030 and SDGs: Goal 10

Social and regional equality of opportunity (socio-economic background, migration, age, religion, language...)

• UN Convention on the Rights of the Child CRC (in force since 1997)
• UNESCO Agenda 2030 and SDGs: Goals 4 and 10