Press releases
The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI regularly publishes media information about its activities, projects, and programs.
Switzerland attends informal Meeting of EU Education Ministers in Cyprus
On 29 and 30 January 2026, Rémy Hübschi, Deputy Director of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), attended an informal Meeting of EU Education Ministers in Cyprus. The event in Lefkosia (Cyprus) focussed on reinforcing the teaching profession.
Six new National Centres of Competence in Research strengthen Swiss cutting-edge research in strategically important areas
President Guy Parmelin, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), has decided to launch six new National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs). The federal government thus seeks to reinforce Swiss research and innovation activities in strategically important areas such as medicine, quantum technology and climate. During the initial operating phase from 2026 to 2029, the federal government will provide CHF 98.7 million in seed funding for these extensive research undertakings. Participating higher education institutions and research institutes will contribute additional funding at least equal to the amount provided by the federal government.
Place of residence influences access to apprenticeships
Access to apprenticeship places in Switzerland differs significantly depending on where young people live. This is shown by a new study conducted by the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training SFUVET. It sheds light on the still little-known structure of regional apprenticeship markets. Around 95 per cent of young people have access to more than 100 of the roughly 250 apprenticeship pathways in Switzerland when searching for a training place.
Federal Council confirms Tanja Zimmermann as director of Empa
On 28 January, the Federal Council appointed Professor Tanja Zimmermann to a further four-year term as director of the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa). This term will run from 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2030.
Nomination procedure launched for Marcel Benoist Swiss Science Prize
This year, the Marcel Benoist Swiss Science Prize, endowed with CHF 250,000, will be awarded in the field of life sciences (biology and medicine). Nominations can be submitted up to 23 February 2026. The prize has been awarded every year since 1920.
State Secretary Martina Hirayama on science mission to U.S.
From 1 to 5 December, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation Martina Hirayama will undertake a science mission to San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and Boston. The purpose of the visit is to strengthen the excellent relations between Switzerland and the United States in education, research and innovation and to explore opportunities for future cooperation. The trip will also provide a platform for exchanging views on cooperation on vocational education and training and apprenticeships.
ESA Council Meeting at Ministerial Level 2025: Laying the foundations for a resilient and competitive European space sector
The Council Meeting at Ministerial Level of the European Space Agency (ESA) held in Bremen on 26-27 November focused on the strategic orientation and financing of key space programmes for the coming years, totalling EUR 22.1 billion. Switzerland, represented by State Secretary Martina Hirayama, will contribute EUR 771 million to strengthen and advance the space sector in Europe together with its European partners.
Over 40% of graduates of professional education courses occupy a managerial position
The likelihood of a managerial position in the workplace increases following graduation and remains stable at 40% four years after graduation. These are the results of the first Survey on Professional Education by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Switzerland and the United Kingdom discuss science and innovation
The third meeting of the Swiss-British Joint Committee for Science and Innovation was held in London on 21 November 2025. The meeting was chaired by State Secretary Martina Hirayama and the British Director of International Research and Innovation, Adam Jackson, and served to assess and improve bilateral co-operation in research and innovation.
In 2024, fewer students had experienced international mobility
In 2024, 19% of students in higher education in Switzerland had undertaken a temporary study period, work placement or other mobility experience in another country since starting their studies, seven percentage points lower than in 2020 (26%). When surveyed for the first time about their experiences of discrimination, 25% of students said they felt discriminated against in their studies on various grounds such as gender, nationality or language. Many more findings are presented in the main report of the 2024 Survey on the Social and Economic Situation of Students, conducted by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Federal Council increases contributions for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships without impacting costs
On 19 November, the Federal Council amended the Ordinance on Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, thereby increasing monthly scholarship contributions to CHF 2,450 starting from 1 January 2026 . This ensures that this funding instrument remains attractive for promising foreign students and researchers and continues to strengthen international exchange at Swiss universities. To implement this change without impacting costs, the number of scholarships available will be reduced. In addition, postdoctoral scholarships will no longer be awarded from the 2027/28 academic year.
Switzerland and EU sign agreement on Swiss participation in EU programmes
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and EU Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva signed the Switzerland-EU programmes agreement in Bern on 10 November 2025. This part of the Switzerland-EU package can be provisionally applied with retroactive effect from the beginning of 2025. Switzerland is thus associated to Horizon Europe, the Euratom programme and the Digital Europe programme. The agreement also paves the way for association to ITER, Erasmus+ and EU4Health.
State visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa: Switzerland and South Africa strengthen relations
The state visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa is serving as an opportunity for Switzerland and South Africa to strengthen relations. On Wednesday, 29 October, five documents on future cooperation were signed. Prior to that, the South African president was received by the full Federal Council. Official talks focused on bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries at international level.
844 000 adults in Switzerland struggle with reading, maths and problem solving
In Switzerland, 15% of people aged 16–65 have poor literacy, numeracy and adaptive problem-solving skills. This equates to around 844 000 individuals. Compared with the overall population, they are less likely to be employed and tend to earn less. They also report lower levels of well-being and social participation than people with higher skill levels. These are the findings of a new report by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) based on data from the OECD's Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC).
Nearly a quarter of Swiss university graduates did an internship after their studies
In the five years following their graduation, 23% of people who graduated from a Swiss higher education institution in 2016 or 2018 did at least one internship. The proportion of those who did an internship varied greatly depending on their field of study. With hindsight, almost 90% of the graduates would still do an internship even though their employment situation five years after graduation was less favourable overall than that of those who did not do an internship. These are the main findings of a new publication by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Switzerland and Japan sign Memorandum of Cooperation in the quantum field
From 29 September to 5 October, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation Martina Hirayama led a scientific mission to Japan aimed at strengthening bilateral collaboration between the two nations.
EAER to fund two new multidisciplinary research and innovation projects in the space sector
The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) has decided to support two new research and innovation projects in the space sector. The projects focus on robotics and optics, respectively, and aim to deliver scientific excellence and pioneering cutting-edge technologies. With a total of just over CHF 6 million allocated to these two projects, the federal government is seeking to strengthen the international standing of Swiss universities and industry players in space research.
State Secretary Martina Hirayama on scientific mission to Japan
From 29 September to 5 October, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation Martina Hirayama will lead a scientific mission to Japan aimed at strengthening collaboration between the two nations. Her programme includes high-level meetings, visits to leading institutions and discussions with start-ups and cutting-edge companies.
Switzerland participates in G20 discussions on research and innovation
On 23 September, Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, attended the G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Meeting in South Africa.
State Secretary Martina Hirayama on a science mission to South Africa
Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, will be in Pretoria and Cape Town on a science mission from 25 to 26 September. The aim of the trip is to strengthen long-term cooperation between Switzerland and South Africa in the fields of education, research and innovation. The science mission follows a G20 meeting on science and innovation, which State Secretary Hirayama will attend.
Subscribe to Federal Administration news
You can subscribe to all press releases, specialised information and newsletters from the Federal Administration on the News Service Bund portal. Log in and compile your personalised subscription.