In its multi-year programme 2021–2024, the SNSF sets four priorities. By pursuing them, the SNSF will be helping Swiss research to overcome challenges and maintain its leading position.
Women are still underrepresented in research. Use-inspired research at universities of applied sciences is not equally well established in all disciplines. Intense pressure to publish has an adverse effect on research culture.
We will focus even more strongly on promoting gender equality as well as research at universities of applied sciences. When selecting projects for funding, we want to attach less importance to publications and more to other research achievements. In addition, we want to reward researchers who show a readiness to collaborate across disciplines and take risks.
Research cooperation needs to be increased.
We are making it easier for researchers to generate new knowledge in collaborative projects. This strengthens their international standing. We also encourage the involvement of various social groups. For instance, patient associations could participate in discussions to determine new medical research topics.
Infrastructure requirements for open science are increasing.
Research produces, stores, administers and analyses ever-increasing amounts of data. With our funding, we aim to ensure that easily accessible, state-of-the-art infrastructures and services are available for these processes in Switzerland. This is essential for achieving results of high quality and a big step towards open science.
The potential of research findings is not being fully exploited.
Together with Innosuisse, we are expanding the BRIDGE programme. It aids the transformation of research results into innovation. In addition, we want to help researchers build networks with users, organisations and public authorities. We will also continue to fund Agora projects that foster dialogue between science and society.
Every four years, the SNSF submits a multi-year programme to the Swiss government. It serves as a basis for the research funding budget which we receive from parliament. The new measures addressing our four priority areas complement our existing portfolio. The SNSF developed the measures in consultation with the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences, the ETH Board, Innosuisse and swissuniversities, the umbrella organisation of higher education institutions.