New National Research Programmes - important topics for Swiss society

National Research Programmes (NRPs) make a scientific contribution to solving societal challenges for Switzerland. Each programme coordinates numerous research projects towards a common overarching objective. These programmes are of interdisciplinary nature, i.e. include projects spanning different research domains: social sciences and humanities; mathematics, informatics, natural sciences and technology as well as life sciences. By applying a transdisciplinary approach, NRPs strengthen the participation in the projects of non-academic actors. 

The three newly launched NRPs will be funded with a total of 17 million Swiss francs. They are the result of a selection process aimed at launching shorter, more targeted NRPs that respond to the federal government's strategic priorities.

Calls for project proposals will be published in mid-2026.

NRP "Mental Health of Adolescents"

During adolescence, the brain develops particularly rapidly, and when mental health problems emerge during this stage of life, they can have lifelong consequences with broad societal implications. Teenagers are confronted daily with news of climate-related disasters, economic instability and armed conflicts in Europe and around the world. They are also under pressure in their personal and professional lives in a rapidly changing world, increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. This convergence of challenges can fuel anxiety and insecurity.

The National Research Programme "Mental Health of Adolescents" (NRP 85) aims to support the development, adaptation and implementation of innovative approaches that strengthen the mental health of adolescents in Switzerland and improve the prevention and care of mental disorders in young people aged 10 to 24. A central aim of the NRP is to collaborate with the competent authorities and to integrate national, cantonal and regional specificities into both research and implementation.

NRP "Digital Resilience"

The digitisation of our society brings many benefits, but it also entails risks. Cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure are on the rise, hospitals have been paralysed, ransomware attacks have disrupted public transport and data breaches have occurred within public administrations. Switzerland faces its own challenges and opportunities because of its unique characteristics. The country is small and has a high level of technical development.

The overall aim of the National Research Programme "Digital Resilience of Critical Infrastructures" (NRP 86) is to strengthen Switzerland's long-term resilience to cyberattacks by developing an agile and state-of-the-art collective defence. More specifically, the goal is to improve the ability of critical infrastructures to withstand, adapt and recover from digital disruptions. The programme will address both technical and practical aspects, integrating the social sciences and humanities into the cybersecurity ecosystem.

NRP "Deglobalisation and Resilience"

After decades of increasing integration of international markets for goods, services and capital, the global economy is currently experiencing a sharp slowdown in globalisation. Specifically, deglobalisation is putting open markets and international competition to the test.

The National Research Programme "Deglobalisation and Supply Chain Resilience" (NRP 87) aims to propose solutions to help Switzerland cope with deglobalisation and supply chain disruptions. The aim is to identify and make the best use of the measures available to a small, open and economically strong country in order to protect its interests, maintain its competitiveness and the well-being of its society, and strengthen its economic resilience.