The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) supports two types of programmes et a national level. While the National Research Programmes (NRP) are designed to contribute to the scientific solution of current problems of nationwide significance, the National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCR) are intended to reinforce Switzerland’s position in strategically important areas and improve the research infrastructure. The areas of concentration for the various NRPs are defined by the Federal Council. In the case of the NCCRs, the research topics are generated by the research community.
NRP: The study of effects draws a positive picture
The National Research Programmes (NRP) generates a great amount of implications as much within the scientific world as in the social world. The Centre for Science & Technology Studies (CEST) made a study of effectiveness of the National Research Programmes witch point out these implications. The study draws a very favourable picture of the NRP. These are characterized by “being wide-ranging and powerful.” (p. 5). The repercussions of the NRP are spread out on a very broad spectrum. The study is written in German. A summary in French and English figures at the beginning of the text.
Concrete results of NRPs: finding ways to solve practical problems
The targeted research conducted under NRPs is generally connected to a particular time and place. The researchers address a specific target group, respond to their needs and work with them to find a solution. Such "transdisciplinary" research has generated a host of very useful approaches to nationwide problems, as shown by the following selection of press releases from last year:
65 billion per year to build Switzerland (01.02.2011), in German or in French
From quadrilingual to plurilingual Switzerland (25.11.2010)
Simple prevention of hip fracture complications (10.05.2010),in German or in French
Wide-ranging impacts of the National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCR)
The NCCRs initiated by the SNSF in 2001 have underpinned cutting-edge research in Switzerland by prompting universities to prioritise certain areas of research. This has in turn strengthened structures in research fields that are of particular importance to Switzerland, leading to the creation of, for instance, the Centre for Democracy in Aarau or the Oeschger Centre for Climate Research at the University of Berne. Furthermore, the NCCRs have proven to be highly successful in knowledge and technology transfer. Since 2001, they have entered into 661 cooperations with companies and set up or supported 56 start-ups. The NCCRs also systematically promote junior researchers and help them accelerate their academic careers or establish themselves in business and administration.
The brochure "National Centres of Competence in Research – Cutting-edge Research made in Switzerland" provides an overview of ongoing NCCRs and highlights the wide range of benefits they have generated.
Valuable impulses to the economy
Basic research can transmit a wide range of impulses to the economy. This is shown by the interim evaluation of 28 technology transfer projects from the National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCR).
The key to the 27 NCCRs: the "Guide" brochure
Over 3,500 people work for the 27 ongoing NCCRs. The "Guide" publication, which is updated annually, provides information on finances, personnel and output of the National Centres of Competence in Research. Each NCCR is described in brief in the publication, which also contains all the important contact details.