The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) sees scientific integrity as the commitment of each scientist to sound scientific practices, a view shared by the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences. For the SNSF, sound scientific practices serve as an important guideline for all persons involved in its activities, be it as members of the National Research Council, as applicants (and/or project staff) or as reviewers. Confidence in the fact that research work is carried out conscientiously is a sine qua non for research funding. The SNSF therefore urges all parties with whom it works together to maintain a self-critical attitude where adherence to sound scientific practices is concerned.
Regulations of the National Research Council concerning the handling of scientific malpractice on the part of applicants and grantees (February 2009; in German)
Based on its mandate pursuant to the Research Act, the Research Council of the SNSF has defined acts of scientific malpractice in a regulatory document, referring in this context to a publication of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences which is of prime importance for Swiss research ("Integrity in scientific research: principles and procedures", 2008; see link under "On this Subject"). These regulations specify the procedures to be applied in cases of suspected malpractice along with possible penalties (e.g. letter of warning or exclusion from the application process for a limited period) and the procedural rights of the parties concerned.
New tool against plagiarism
Plagiarism constitutes a breach of scientific integrity. After discovering plagiarism in several recently submitted proposals, the SNSF has acquired a plagiarism detection software.
Interview with Prof. Astrid Epiney: Dealing with scientific misconduct - Consistent sanctions send clear signals (annual report 2009 of the SNSF, pages 22/23)
Astrid Epiney is Vice Chancellor and teaches European Law, International Law
and Swiss Public Law at the University of Fribourg. A lawyer, she is Director of
the Institute for European Law and Vice President of Division IV of the National
Research Council of SNSF. From 2005 to 2008, she presided over the working
group on scientific misconduct set up by the National Research Council.