NRPs are distinguished by the following characteristics:
- they are solution-oriented and close to the practical realm;
- they are interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary;
- the research projects of an NRP jointly pursue an overall goal;
- knowledge transfer and the communication of results are valued highly.
List of all NRPs
NRPs help to deliver scientifically proven solutions to Switzerland's most pressing problems. Selected by the Federal Council.
The requirements and procedures for participating in an NRP are set out in the relevant call for proposals. In principle, the provisions of the SNSF Funding Regulations apply.
Submission of NRP topics and projects
Within the context of National Research Programmes, a distinction is made between NRP topics and NRP projects.
NRP topics
Periodically (approximately every 2 to 3 years), interested parties can submit topics for research programmes to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). The SERI drafts programme proposals on the basis of these submissions and then commissions the SNSF to conduct feasibility studies. At the given time, the SERI website will provide details of when and how NRP topics can be submitted. In a second phase, the SNSF will prepare calls for proposals for the suggested programmes that received a positive assessment in the feasibility study. At the request of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), the Federal Council judges the merits of these calls for proposals, defines the budgets and commissions the SNSF to implement the NRPs.
NRP projects
After the SNSF has been commissioned to implement an NRP, it will publish a call for proposals for the NRP. Submissions for NRP projects can only be made in response to a public call for proposals. This will be announced in the SNSF Newsletter to coincide with the going live of a dedicated NRP website.
The submission process for NRP projects comprises two stages: first the project outlines, then the research applications. Information on the submission of proposals for NRP projects is based on the NRP-specific call documents. These will include deadlines and evaluation criteria. Submissions for NRP projects may not be made outside of the call for proposals process.
Call for proposals