Federal education, research and innovation policy 2025–2028
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, taking into account effectiveness reviews and evaluations, 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.
The long-term and integral promotion of education, research and innovation (ERI) is one of the factors that makes Switzerland successful. The high quality of the ERI system is essential in enabling individuals in Switzerland to pursue personal development, integrate into society and find employment.
The education system caters to individual needs, offering lifelong learning opportunities in both vocational and academic fields. This ensures that economic and research stakeholders are able to recruit skilled workers and managers who possess a range of different qualifications. This broad mix of skills is one of Switzerland's strengths. Together with the country's achievements in research and innovation, the Swiss education system gives Switzerland a competitive edge over other countries as a location for research and business activities.
Support policy principles
This is the backdrop against which the Federal Council has formulated its policy for the promotion of education, research and innovation in 2025–2028. The Federal Council Dispatch upholds the core principles of subsidiarity, autonomy and partnership-based cooperation and gives importance to a bottom-up focus with selective prioritisation as well as to competition and excellence.
The ERI Dispatch for 2025–2028 is also geared heavily towards overarching themes: digitalisation, sustainable development, equal opportunities as well as national and international cooperation. These overarching themes permeate all areas of ERI policy.
ERI sector funding
Within its areas of responsibility, the federal government funds measures relating to general education, vocational education and training, professional education, higher education, continuing education as well as research and innovation. This includes funding for federal institutions (ETH Domain, Innosuisse, Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training). The federal government is also the largest public purveyor of funding for research and innovation. It provides subsidiary funding for the Swiss VPET system, for cantonal universities and for universities of applied sciences.
Federal funding covers around one-fifth of total public ERI expenditure. The Cantons and communes fund the remainder. However, the Confederation's role goes beyond its financial commitments. By providing the best possible policy framework, it encourages independent ERI stakeholders to actively shape the education and research landscape.
Swiss Parliament decisions
The Swiss Parliament has approved a total of around CHF 29.2 billion in guarantee credits and payment frameworks for the ERI Dispatch 2025–2028. These amounts are maximum thresholds. The detailed funding allocations still need to be decided by Parliament as part of the annual budgeting process. Once the definitive parliamentary decisions have been reached, the Confederation will then work with the relevant stakeholders to implement the planned ERI support measures during the 2025–2028 funding period.
Explanatory Videos on Swiss ERI Policy 2025–2028Explanatory Videos on Swiss ERI Policy
Find out more about the Confederation’s education, research and innovation policy in four short videos explaining the essentials of the 2025–2028 ERI Dispatch.
Challenges and objectives for the ERI sector 2025–2028
Switzerland is in an internationally competitive position in the ERI sector. One of the objectives formulated by the Federal Council in its 2023–2027 legislative plan is for Switzerland to remain a leader in education, research and innovation.
Budget decisions in the ERI Dispatch 2025–2028
Federal decree on the funding of vocational and professional education and training in the years 2025–2028 (in german)
Changes to legislation adopted in the 2025–2028 ERI Dispatch
Legal decisions adopted with the ERI Dispatch 2025–2028: principles and regulations for education, research and innovation in Switzerland.
ERI system in Switzerland: Responsibilities and funding
The Confederation and the cantons regulate and fund the ERI sector in accordance with the responsibilities set out in the Federal Constitution. They work together closely at the systemic interfaces.
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.