Switzerland

 

The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
Role of organisation
The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) was established in 1952 as a private foundation for the promotion of basic scientific research. The SNSF supports research through grants to established or promising young researchers. It does not maintain its own research institutes. The main objective of the SNSF is to support basic research in all branches of science. The support of young researchers and scientist is a high priority. The SNSF is also responsible for the National Research Programs (NRP), the National Centers of Competence in Research (NCCR), and for a portion of the federal's governement's Swiss Priority Programmes (SPP). Most of these programmes are interdisciplinary and combine theoretical research with practical application. 

Research Programmes:
The National Research Programs (NRP) and Priority Programs (SPP) are elements for the promotion of oriented research. Each NRP must make a significant contribution towards the solution of relevant current problems; their topics are approved by the the Swiss government. Several NRP treat environmental issues. The SPPs are another instrument for the promotion of oriented research. The SNSF is currently in charge of the last SPP: "Switzerland towards the future".

National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCR) promote long term research projects in areas of vital strategic importance for the evolution of science in Switzerland, for the country’s economy, and for Swiss society. Each Centre of Competence is based in and managed from a university or other renowned research institution. A network links the research groups from this home institution with other teams throughout Switzerland. It must conduct research of outstanding, internationally recognised quality, and actively foster knowledge and technology transfer, training, and the promotion of women researchers. A further aim of NCCR is to globally restructure and improve the organisation of Swiss research. Federal funding for NCCR is voted by Parliament, and completed by funding from the institutions themselves, and from third parties. In 2001 the SNSF launched the first 14 NCCR.

International Relationship:
To provide international scientific co-operation, the SNSF offers various instruments such as exchange programmes for scientists around the globe and the support of international scientific seminars and research projects. The  SNSF is also committed to many multilateral research programmes and to various international organisations, e.g. the European Science Foundation. It also runs an office in Brussels, SwissCore - Swiss Contact Office for Research and Higher Education, in order to enhance the European integration of Swiss science. SNSF is also the national coordinator for six specific programmes of the 4th RTD.

Information office
Head and spokesman: Philippe Trinchan or send an e-mail
Main responsibilities of information office
To provide information about projects of interest and to establish confidence between the media, the science community and the SNSF. Regular publications include the SNSF annual report, Horizonte (the SNSF's quarterly magazine) and SNFinfo (Newsletter for researchers).
Address
Press and Information Service,Wildhainweg 20, Postfach, 3001 Berne, Switzerland
Telephone
+41 31 308 22 22
Facsimile
+41 31 308 22 65

Internet

 SNSF is at: http://www.snf.ch