Its key tasks include services to support the National Research Council, in particular the commissioning and evaluation of expert opinions from national and international experts on research applications.
The Humanities and Social Sciences Division’s funding activities incorporate the following subject areas and disciplines:
- Philosophy, Religious Studies, Pedagogy, Psychology
- Social and Economic Sciences, Jurisprudence
- Historical Studies
- Archaeology, Ethnology, Art History and Urban Studies
- Linguistics and Literary Studies
It primarily funds projects within the field of investigator-driven research. With the "DORE" programme it not only supports projects at technical colleges but also scientific conferences as well as the publication of academic literature. The Division also supports the ESF research programmes (e.g. EUROCORES), therefore facilitating the participation of Swiss researchers in internationally coordinated research projects.