National Centres of Competence in Research

National Centres of Competence in Research are a means used by the federal government to promotes high-level research of strategic importance. They are long-term projects that focus on research topics relevant to science, society and the economy.

Interdisciplinary cutting-edge research

National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs) pursue cutting-edge research in Switzerland. With this instrument, the federal government promotes long-term research projects of national importance, such as antibiotic resistance, language development and quantum computing. The research projects are of high quality and take an interdisciplinary and innovative approach. In addition, NCCRs are tasked with promoting young researchers, promoting gender equality and facilitating knowledge transfer.

Network with home institutions

NCCRs are housed at one or more recognised Swiss universities (known as the home institution). They are interdisciplinary and cross-university networks with a focus on fundamental research. An important aspect is cooperation with research partners from the higher education sector as well as from the private and public sectors. NCCRs coordinate national research in various fields and help to better structure the Swiss research landscape and position the country for international cooperation.

Funding and duration

NCCRs run for a maximum term of 12 years and receive up to CHF 5 million in funding annually from the federal government. This is supplemented by contributions from participating higher education institutions, third-party funding from research groups and contributions from the private sector.

Launching a new series of NCCRs

The process of launching a new series of NCCRs begins with an open call for proposals by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). All researchers in Switzerland can submit proposals. These are scientifically evaluated in a two-stage process and then reviewed by SERI in relation to research and higher education policy. The decision to launch the programme is made by the head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER).

Facts and figures

NCCRs series

  • Year introduced: 2001
  • No of NCCRs series launched: 5
  • No of NCCRs launched (Series 1–5): 42
  • No of ongoing NCCRs (from 2020): 14

Funding

Output

The following total output was generated in the NCCRs from series 1–3 (figures including the 4th series will be available after completion of the NCCRs at the end of 2026).

  • Number of scientific publications: 37,331
  • Newly created or re-oriented academic chairs: 373
  • Number of doctorates obtained: 2,634
  • Number of start-ups: 125
  • Number of patents: 440

Newly planned NCCRs

At the end of November 2023, the SNSF published the call for proposals for NCCR Series 6 on behalf of the federal government. The decisions should be available by the end of 2026.

NCCRs series at a glance

State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI

National Research
Nicole Schaad