A new model of the brain's thought processes explains the apparently chaotic activity patterns of individual neurons. They do not correspond to a simple stimulus/response linkage, but arise from the networking of different neural circuits. Scientists funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) propose that the field of brain research should expand its focus.
In 2012, a team of US researchers took a close look at the quality and transparency of the evaluation procedure of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). The SNSF has now issued a statement on the evaluation report published at the beginning of the year in which it sets out its response to the proposed optimisations of the evaluation procedure.
The major national research funding and performing organisations in Europe, members of the European umbrella organisation Science Europe, have agreed on a common set of principles that should guide the transition to Open Access to research publications.
The funding scheme Agora of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) aims to intensify the dialogue between science and society by enabling researchers to communicate with the public and pass on their knowledge. Under Agora, researchers from all disciplines can submit applications for public science communication projects.
The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) has decided to have its funding scheme Ambizione evaluated and has launched a corresponding call. Persons or institutions interested in conducting this evaluation study may submit a study outline by no later than 17 June 2013.
In its Action Plan 2013-2016, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) places an emphasis on ensuring that a sufficient number of young scientists come to the fore in Switzerland. One corresponding measure is the new "120% support grant", which enables postdocs to stay on track with their academic career despite family commitments.