Kurt Seelmann is head of the Research Institute of Applied Ethics at the University of Basel. If required, the commission can solicit the help of external experts. Only the Presiding Board of the National Research Council can impose sanctions. By creating the new commission, the SNSF hopes to improve coordination during investigations, to standardise the sanctioning practice and to better protect the privacy rights of those concerned.
The SNSF has adapted its Regulations on the treatment of scientific misconduct by applicants and grantees accordingly.