Funding instruments

National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs) are a means used by the federal government to encourage world-class research of strategic importance. The aim is to establish new research areas that are internationally competitive and to strengthen existing ones. NCCRs create sustainable structures, and provide a significant track record for the universities where they are based.

Through National Research Programmes (NRPs), the Confederation supports research projects that address societal questions and challenges of national importance. The Federal Council periodically decides on the topics and budget allocation of NRPs. Since 1974, 84 NRPs have been launched covering a wide range of topics.

A ‘National Support Initiative’ is an instrument enabling the federal government to coordinate national research and innovation projects. In terms of organisation and funding, these initiatives are large-scale and go beyond the regular remit of research funding institutions (i.e. Swiss National Science Foundation, Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences and Innosuisse). Examples include the Swiss Quantum Initiative (SQI, since 2022) and the Swiss Personalised Health Network (SPHN, 2017–2024). These two initiatives are being implemented by the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences on behalf of the federal government.