Support for national research activities in the space sector
Encouraging participation in space projects and programmes helps Swiss-based institutions connected to the ESA.
General information
SERI pursues three main objectives in supporting national space activities:
- Strengthening the position of researchers at Swiss universities and non-profit research institutes outside the higher education sector
- Advancing the implementation of Swiss space policy
- Preparing Swiss stakeholders to participate successfully in the ESA and other international programmes.
Promoting participation in space programmes and projects enables Switzerland to:
- support Swiss institutions involved with the European Space Agency (ESA).
- create a solid foundation for the Swiss space ecosystem with a view to future calls for proposals.
- contribute to the use of Swiss scientific instruments in space missions when this is not already funded by the ESA.
Research cannot be supported through this funding instrument. Other funding opportunities are available in Switzerland for this purpose (SNSF and Innosuisse).
National research activities in the space sector are governed by two legal frameworks: the Federal Act of 14 December 2012 on the Promotion of Research and Innovation (RIPA, SR 420.1) and the Ordinance of 17 December 2012 on the Promotion of National Activities in the Space Sector (NASO, SR 420.125).
MARVIS
Multidisciplinary Applied Research Ventures in Space (MARVIS) is a Federal Council funding programme dedicated to space research. It is governed by the NASO.
Further information about MARVIS and project eligibility criteria can be found on the website of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF): MARVIS – Space research with the SNSF
Applicable requirements for activities and applications
The following requirements apply for activities and applications:
- The Confederation supports projects that fall into one of the categories outlined below:
- Participation in international space programmes and projects, including preparatory work
- Implementation of space projects and programmes
- Follow-up activities related to participation in space programmes and projects
- Information, consultancy and networking activities for institutions and organisations active in the space sector.
- Project funding is granted for a maximum duration of five years. This period may be extended upon request to SERI. The procedure for obtaining an extension follows the same application procedure outlined below.
- Funding is granted if the project is of national interest and if Swiss participation is not feasible without federal support.
- Applicants must demonstrate that they are able to make an appropriate contribution to the project in question.
Assessment criteria
SERI will assess applications based on several criteria, which are divided into the following three areas:
- Relevance to Switzerland’s research and innovation policy and Swiss space policy: the extent to which the planned project contributes to the preparation, implementation or follow-up on participation of international space programmes and projects, as well as towards excellence and increasing competitiveness in research.
- General criteria for federal funding (subsidies): efficient, cost-effective and appropriate use of federal funds; a sufficient financial commitment from the applicant; national relevance of the project; and confirmation that the project cannot be adequately funded through other means and that Swiss participation would not be possible without federal funding.
- Technical and substantive criteria: the importance of the project for the space sector in general and for Switzerland in particular, as well as criteria applicable to ESA’s PRODEX development programme.
Application process
The budget for supporting national activities in the space sector has reached its limit. The possibility to submit applications is now closed and will reopen on January 15, 2026.
Applicants can contact SERI’s Space Office for advice and information on activities supported under the NASO and on preparing and submitting applications:
SERI, Nathan Roulet
T +41 58 485 08 92
Applications may be submitted at any time. Depending on the scope and complexity of the application, the review process – including evaluation, decision-making, and, where applicable, the conclusion of a performance agreement (see below) – may take between two and nine months from the date of submission. The project starts once the decision has been signed.
Applications may be submitted in French, German, Italian or English, in electronic format only, to: space@sbfi.admin.ch
SERI will review the form and content of applications based on the assessment criteria described above. Once the review is complete and depending on the amount requested, SERI or the EAER will decide whether to approve the funding request in accordance with Article 49 RIPO.
Applicants are informed of the response in the form of a decision. For large-scale projects, SERI may conclude a performance agreement with applicants. This agreement sets out the details of implementation, reporting requirements and the terms of payment of the federal subsidy. For smaller projects, these details are specified directly in the decision.
The federal government is under no obligation to award subsidies.
Documente
Federal Act on the Promotion of Research and Innovation (RIPA, SR 420.1)
Ordinance on the Promotion of National Activities in the Space Sector (NASO, SR 420.125)