Science and practice
The SNSF aims at connecting basic research and practical applications to drive positive change. Strengthening the dialogue between the research community and broader society reinforces trust in science.
For research to contribute to solving societal challenges, scientific results need to go beyond the academic world and be put into practice whenever possible. When sufficiently shared, transformed or elaborated, research can have substantial and tangible impact on society. This can take the form of new technologies, political measures, social innovations or collaborations and co-creations between researchers and practice-based partners.
The SNSF has anchored the objectives of connecting science to practice and conveying the value of research in its long-term strategy – both in its Multi-Year Programme 2025–2028 and its strategic priorities for the 2021–2032 time period.
Bringing scientific results into practice requires a combination of tools and actions. While dedicated funding schemes can contribute to this effort, a general and broader vision is needed to ensure that basic research – i.e. the majority of the SNSF-supported projects – is exploited to its full potential.
To foster constructive collaboration with practitioners, the SNSF encourages the inclusion or consultation of stakeholders outside academia in many of its programmes. The SNSF also favours dialogue with political actors in order to ensure that up-to-date information flows both ways between the scientific and political worlds. To facilitate collaboration between academia and industry, the SNSF collaborates with Innosuisse and organises relevant studies and communication measures. Finally, to inform the public and broader society about the scientific ecosystem both clearly and comprehensively, significant effort is put into science communication. The latter covers direct results from research projects, including their larger implications, as well as behind-the-scenes details from the world of research.
Science and practitioners: collaboration outside academia
The SNSF aims to bring academic and non-academic actors closer together and encourages collaboration between researchers and experts who are working outside of academia in various funding schemes and activities. The intensity and level of participation of the practice-based partners can vary, ranging from advisory roles to the joint development of research projects.
In the context of the National Research Programmes (NRPs), collaboration with non-academic partners plays a key role. Some NRPs, for example, include societal actors as co-applicants and as members of Steering Committees. Others aim to foster the creation of a community of practice linking researchers and practitioners to enable a continuous exchange.
With a more long-term focus, the National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs) aim to strengthen the Swiss research landscape in areas of strategic importance for the Swiss society and economy. Each NCCR is hosted by one or several higher education institutions, and some NCCRs collaborate with partners from diverse sectors like industry or the public sector.
Projects funded by the transdisciplinary programme SOR4D (Solution-oriented Research for Development) are each conducted by a consortium composed of researchers and practitioners. Together, they develop solutions that contribute to sustainable development – on a local and also a more global level.
Science and politics: evidence for decision-making
Results and knowledge gained from research projects can provide an important basis in decision-making processes. This is why the SNSF fosters dialogue between researchers, policymakers and public administration representatives to ensure exchange and build mutual trust. The SNSF is committed to strengthening this link since a strong connection between research and politics is beneficial for both sides.
The pairing scheme is an initiative developed within NRP 80 (Covid-19 in Society). It brings together researchers and members of the parliament and gives them a platform to discuss different scientific and political topics.
With its politics courses, the SNSF offers training to researchers on how to engage effectively in political processes. They learn how best to get in touch with politicians or public administrators and how to communicate their scientific results effectively.
The SNSF is also part of the National Science Advice Network. This network aims to provide access to independent, interdisciplinary scientific expertise to support policymakers and authorities in managing crises and preparing for potential crisis situations.
The National Research Programmes (NRPs) and the National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs) mentioned in the "Science and practitioners" section above constitute examples of how political inputs can flow directly towards the research world.
Science and industry: research as driver of innovation
Research helps lay the foundation for new technologies, products or services and therefore contributes to maintaining Switzerland’s role as a strong economic player. Here are some examples of how the SNSF supports links between research and industry:
The SNSF supports implementation-oriented research through various funding schemes. BRIDGE, for example, a joint programme that the SNSF funds together with Innosuisse, connects basic research with innovation by funding projects that have the potential to result in an innovative product or service.
A study commissioned by the SNSF to investigate the extent to which the results of SNSF-funded projects have been put into practice, found that social innovation already plays a role in SNSF-funded projects and demonstrated that social innovation is an important source of motivation for researchers.
A research analysis project is being conducted to better understand how SNSF-funded research leads to innovation and ‘real-world’-implementation. The project is focusing on patents as outputs from SNSF-funded projects and providing insights into the links between basic research and practical implementation.
By promoting basic research, the SNSF strengthens the Swiss scientific ecosystem. Many companies acknowledge how this strong research landscape plays a key role in their success. Several examples of such testimonies can be found on the page dedicated to basic research and innovation linked below.
Science and the public: communicating science to everybody
Effective science communication is an important part of enhancing the impact of research. By ensuring that research findings are disseminated broadly and are shared in an accessible way, broad audiences can more easily understand scientific contents and engage with scientific developments. The SNSF aims to strengthen the dialogue between science and society through various activities.
The Agora funding scheme supports this exchange by funding communication projects that distill complex scientific knowledge into accessible formats for the public. Agora specifically promotes meaningful and direct dialogue between researchers and their target audience.
The SNSF offers media courses for researchers where they can gain important competencies concerning science communication and knowledge transfer.
The research magazine Horizons, published by the SNSF and the Swiss Academies, reports on new scientific findings, research projects and developments in the academic system and targets a broad and diverse readership.
Other science communication measures dedicated to fostering dialogue with society include behind-the-scenes portraits of researchers or the annual SNSF Scientific Image Competition. Press releases about results from selected research projects are also published regularly to give insights into some of the research the SNSF funds.