Research and Innovation background
Research and innovation in Switzerland is governed by the Law on Research established in 1983. The current national research strategy in Switzerland is set out in the Federal Act on the Promotion of Research and Innovation (RIPA). This legislation aims to:
- Encourage science-based research
- Support the analysis and exploitation of research results
- Ensure the cooperation between research bodies
- Ensure the economic and effective use of federal funding for scientific research
Key strategies and plans related to research and innovation in Switzerland include:
- National Research Programme (NRP): Focuses on strategic research topics that are relevant to societal needs, providing funding opportunities for interdisciplinary projects.
- Digital Switzerland Strategy: Aims to enhance digital infrastructure and innovation, influencing transport technologies.
Transport-specific strategies and plans include:
- Sustainable Development Strategy: A framework for promoting sustainable practices across all sectors, including transport, aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
- Swiss Transport Policy: Sets the vision for the transport system, emphasising efficiency, sustainability, and integration of various transport modes
Institutional framework of transport research
The governance of transport research in Switzerland involves a collaborative framework between federal and cantonal authorities, with key responsibilities distributed as follows:
- Political responsibilities for research and higher education are divided between the central state (Confederation) and the regional authorities (the Cantons). The Confederation is responsible for direct funding of research and for coordinating research activities, while responsibility for higher education is shared by the Confederation and Cantons.
- Federal research policy is designed and implemented by the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) while government agency research is designed and implemented by the 'Steering Committee'.
- The Swiss National Science Foundation is the key funding institution for research and the main advisory body to the national government on education, research and innovation
Transport policy is conceived and developed by the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communication (DETEC). Various offices in the Department detail the policy including:
- Federal Office of Transport
- Federal Office for Spatial Development
- Federal Roads Authority Office
- Federal Office for Civil Aviation
Authorities and specialised agencies also contribute to developing transport policy and are important in transport research. These are:
- Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB): State authority of the Swiss Confederation with a mandate to investigate accidents and dangerous incidents involving land, water-borne and air transport.
- Rail Transport Commission RailCom
Funding Sources and Support Initiatives
Current ongoing national programmes
The two main funding agencies are the Swiss National Science Foundation, which supports fundamental research, and the Swiss Innovation Agency, which promotes innovation.
The National Science Foundation is a private foundation funded by the Confederation through the State Secretariat for Education and Research.
The Innovation Promotion Agency is under the Federal Department of Economic Affairs. Research is funded through the National Research Programmes, where topics are selected through a bottom-up process. Interested groups can submit proposals for new research projects to the State Secretariat for Education and Research, and the Federal Council decides which topics and programmes to fund.
All projects funded by the Federal Administration are part of the national ARAMIS information system. Some key funding programmes include:
- BRIDGE: A joint programme conducted by the SNSF and Innovation Agency that offers new funding opportunities for researchers who wish to develop an application or service based on their results
- National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs): NCCRs are established researchers in Switzerland who wish to pursue a long-term research project on a theme of strategic importance
- Sinergia: A programme that promotes the interdisciplinary collaboration of two to four research groups that propose breakthrough research
- Spark: The aim of Spark is to fund the rapid testing or development of new scientific approaches, methods, theories, standards, ideas for applications etc.
International research and cooperation programmes and partnerships of the European Union that are relevant to Switzerland are:
- r4d programme: A programme aimed at researchers in Switzerland and in developing and emerging countries who wish to execute a joint research project on global issues
- SPIRIT: A programme that facilitates knowledge exchange between Swiss researchers and researchers in selected countries that are receiving development assistance
- European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST): Promotes networking and collaboration among European researchers.
(Last updated: 05/11/2024)