Institutions that promote research and innovation
Switzerland has an effective funding system with three complementary funding institutions that promotes research and innovation on behalf of the federal government: the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), Innosuisse and the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences. Federal contributions to these institutions are requested in the Dispatch on the Promotion of Education, Research and Innovation (ERI Dispatch). Priorities for funding activities are set out in service level agreements and strategic objectives based on the institutions' respective multi-year plans.
The Swiss National Science Foundation
The Swiss National Science Foundation has a federal mandate to promote research and young scientists in Switzerland. It also runs National Research Programmes and National Centres of Competence in Research.
Innosuisse: The Swiss Innovation Agency
Innosuisse is the federal government's innovation agency. It supports the development of new products, procedures, processes and services that benefit the economy and society by funding research and facilitating the commercialisation of its results. The Federal Council provides strategic guidance to Innosuisse through clearly defined goals.
Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences
The Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences have a federal mandate to encourage collaboration within and between all scientific disciplines and foster the integration of science within society. They also oversee the running of the Data Coordination Center for clinical research and the implementation of the Swiss Quantum Initiative.