The National Centres of Competence in Research NCCRs
Overview
The National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs) are anestablished federal funding instrument for top-level research in Switzerland. NCCRs are long-term research projects on themes of strategic importance to Switzerland as a location for research and innovation. They also contribute to a better structuring of the Swiss research landscape. The Confederation currently supports 14 ongoing NCCRs (Series 4 and 5). A call for proposals for NCCR Series 6, due to start in 2026, was launched at the end of November 2023.
NCCRs are research projects of national importance based at one or more home institutions with a focus on basic research. A further important aspect is national coordination and the creation of networks of research partners from higher education institutions and the private sector. Funding is awarded to the highest quality research projects, with a focus on interdisciplinary and innovative approaches. NCCRs are also expected to promote young researchers, encourage equal opportunities and engage in knowledge transfer.
NCCRs run for a maximum of 12 years and receive between CHF 4 and 5 million in funding annually from the federal government. In addition, there are contributions from the higher education institutions involved, competitive third-party funding and contributions from the private sector.
Facts and Figures
Since their launch in 2001, the NCCRs have become an important federal government funding instrument for basic research. The federal government has launched a total of 42 NCCRs over the course of five series.
| No of NCCR series launched |
5 |
| No of NCCRs launched (Series 1-5) |
42 |
| No of ongoing NCCRs (as of 2020) |
14 |
| Federal government investment (2001–2019) |
CHF 1,223 million |
Investment by higher education institutions and research groups (2001–2019) |
CHF 1,820 million |
| External funding (2001–2019) |
CHF 273 million |
| No of scientific publications (2001–2019) |
34,000 |
| Newly created or re-oriented academic chairs (2001–2019) |
197 |
| No of doctorates obtained (2001–2019) |
1,780 |
| No of cooperation arrangements with businesses (2001–2019) |
1,134
|
| No of patents (2001–2019) |
453 |
| |
Source: SNSF |
Ongoing NCCRs
Series 5 (Commencement 2020)
- NCCR AntiResist:
New Approaches to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant bacteria
Home institution: University of Basel
Field: Medicine and Life Sciences
- NCCR Evolving Language:
The Origins and Future of Language
Home institutions: University of Zurich, University of Geneva
Field: Social Sciences and Humanities
- NCCR Microbiomes:
Microbial Communities in Health and Environment
Home institutions: University of Lausanne, ETH Zurich
Field: Medicine and Life Sciences
- NCCR SPIN:
Spin Qubits in Silicon
Home institution: University of Basel
Field: Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Engineering
- NCCR Suchcat:
Sustainable Chemical Processes Through Catalysis
Home institutions: ETH Zurich, EPF Lausanne
Field: Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Engineering
Series 4 (Commencement 2014, Completion 2026)
Series 4
- NCCR Molecular Systems Engineering
NCCR head: Prof. Wolfgang Meier, University of Basel (Dep.: Prof. Daniel Müller, ETH Zurich)
Main Leading House: University of Basel
Co-Leading House: ETH Zurich
- NCCR PlanetS
NCCR head: Prof. Willy Benz, University of Berne (Dep.: Prof. Stéphane Udry, University of Geneva)
Main Leading House: University of Berne
Co-Leading House: University of Geneva
- NCCR SwissMAP - The Mathematics of Physics
NCCR head: Prof. Stanislav Smirnov, University of Geneva (Dep.: Prof. Giovanni Felder, ETH Zurich)
Main Leading House: University of Geneva
Co-Leading House: ETH Zurich
Completed NCCRs
Series 3 (Commencement 2010, Completion 2022)
Series 3
NCCR QSIT |
Quantum Science & Technology
ETH Zurich, Klaus Ensslin; Co-Leading House: University of Basel, Richard Warburton |
NCCR Robotics |
Intelligent Robots for Improving the Quality of Life
EPFL, Dario Floreano |
NCCR TransCure |
From Transport Physiology to Identification of Therapeutic Targets
University of Berne, Matthias A. Hediger |
NCCR SYNAPSY |
Synaptic Bases of Mental Diseases
EPFL, Pierre Magistretti; Co-Leading Houses:University of Geneva, Dominique Muller, University of Lausanne |
NCCR MUST |
Molecular Ultrafast Science and Technology
ETH Zurich, Ursula Keller; Co-Leading House: University of Berne,
Thomas Feurer |
NCCR Chemical Biology |
Visualisation and Control of Biological Processes Using Chemistry
University of Geneva, Howard Riezmann; Co-Leading House: EPFL
Kai Johnsson |
NCCR LIVES |
Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives
University of Lausanne, Dario Spini; Co-Leading House: University of Geneva, Michel Oris |
NCCR Kidney.CH |
Kidney Control of Homeostasis
University of Zurich, François Verrey |
Series 2 (Commencement 2005, Completion 2017)
Series 2
NCCR Affective Sciences |
Emotions in Individual Behaviour and Social Processes
University of Geneva, Klaus Scherer |
NCCR Iconic Critism |
The Power and Importance of Images
University of Basel, Gottfried Boehm |
NCCR Democracy |
Challenges to Democracy in the 21st Century
University of Zurich, Hanspeter Kriesi |
NCCR Mediality |
Historical Perspectives
University of Zurich, Christian Kiening |
NCCR Trade Regulation |
International Trade Regulation: From Fragmentation to Coherence
University of Berne, Thomas Cottier |
Series 1 (Commencement 2001, Completion 2013)
Series 1
NCCR sesam |
Swiss etiological study of adjustment and mental health
University of Basel, Jürgen Margraf |
NCCR CO-ME |
Computer Aided and Image Guided Medical Interventions
ETH Zürich, Gàbor Székely |
NCCR FINRISK |
Financial Valuation and Risk Management
University of Zurich, Michel Habib |
NCCR Genetics |
Frontiers in Genetics - Genes, Chromosomes and Development
University of Geneva, Denis Duboule |
NCCR IM2 |
Interactive Multimodal Information Management
IDIAP Research Institute, Martigny, Hervé Bourlard |
NCCR Climate |
Climate Variability, Predictability and Climate Risks
University of Bern, Thomas Stocker |
NCCR MaNEP |
Materials with Novel Electronic Properties - Basic Science and Applications
University of Geneva, Øystein Fischer |
NCCR MICS |
Mobile Information and Communication Systems
EPFL, Karl Aberer |
NCCR Molecular Oncology |
From Basic Research to Therapeutic Approaches
EPFL, Michel Aguet |
NCCR Nanoscale Science |
Impact on Live Sciences, Sustainability, Information and Communication Technologies
University of Basel,Christian Schönenberger |
NCCR Neuro |
Neural Plasticity and Repair
University of Zurich, Martin E. Schwab |
NCCR North - South |
Research Partnerships for Mitigating Syndromes of Global Change
University of Bern, Hans Hurni, Urs Wiesmann |
NCCR Plant Survival |
Plant Survival in Natural and Agricultural Ecosystems
University of Neuchâtel, Ted Turlings |
NCCR Quantum Photonics |
Quantum Photonics
EPFL, Benoît Deveaud-Plédran |
NCCR Structural Biology |
Molecular Life Sciences: Three Dimensional Structure, Folding and Interactions
University of Zurich, Markus Gerhard Grütter |
Launch of new National Centres of Competence in Research
The process of launching a new series of NCCRs begins with a public call for proposals by the Swiss National Science Foundation SNSF. Proposals for a new NCCR can be submitted by all researchers active in Switzerland. The scientific merit of the submitted pre-proposals and subsequent full proposals is evaluated by the SNSF and an international panel of experts. The proposals recommended by the SNSF for implementation are then evaluated by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI on the basis of its current research and higher education policy priorities. The decision to launch new NCCRs is ultimately taken by the head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER.
The SNSF published the call for proposals for NCCR Series 6 on behalf of the Swiss Confederation on November 28 2023. The new call is thematically open and is aimed at all disciplines. The federal government (SERI/EAER) will make the final selection, assessing the recommended NCCR proposals based on its priorities in research and higher education policy. The EAER decision on the launch and funding of projects is expected in early 2026.
