Foundation Council
The SNSF is a foundation under private law with a public funding mandate.
The Foundation Council of the SNSF is responsible for ensuring that the SNSF remains true to its mission and for overall governance. Based on a recommendation from the Research Council, it endorses the main pillars of the SNSF's funding policy, in particular the multi-year programme. In addition, it approves the financial statements and the annual report.
For the duration of the 2024-2027 term of office, the Foundation Council will consist of seven members:
- Jürg Stahl (President)
- Nikola Biller-Andorno
- Astrid Epiney
- Matthias Essenpreis
- Urs Frey
- Agnès Petit
- Laetitia Philippe (representative of the SERI)
Smaller, more agile, more flexible
The SNSF will adjust its organisational structure in 2024 and 2025. The new Foundation Council took up its work in January 2024. With seven members, it is significantly smaller than before. This should enable it to work even more agilely and flexibly. The partner organisations are now represented in the Delegates Assembly. Here, they can state their opinions and contribute to the development of the SNSF.
Jürg Stahl (President)
Jürg Stahl has been President of the Foundation Council since 2020. From 1999 to 2019, he was a member of the National Council (lower chamber of the Swiss Parliament), which he presided over in 2017. Between 2011 and 2015, he was a member of the Science, Education and Culture Committee (SECC) of the National Council. He has extensive experience of managing national associations and organisations.
Vested interests:
- Swiss Association of Druggists, Biel: President
- Swiss Olympic, Ittigen: President
Nikola Biller-Andorno
Nikola Biller-Andorno is Professor of Biomedical Ethics at the University of Zurich. She is also Vice Dean Innovation and Digitalization and President of the Equal Opportunity Commission of the Faculty of Medicine. Until the end of 2023, Nikola Biller-Andorno was Vice President of the Programmes division of the National Research Council.
Vested interests:
- Dialog Ethik foundation, Zurich: President of the Foundation Board
- European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies of the European Commission: Member
- Family Larsson Rosenquist Foundation, Frauenfeld: Member of the Scientific Advisory Board
- PMB GmbH, Heidelberg: Co-founder and Partner
- Swiss Medical Weekly: Deputy Editor
Astrid Epiney
Astrid Epiney is Professor of Public International Law, European Law and Swiss Public Law at the University of Fribourg and was a member of the Research Council. She has extensive experience in academic autonomy and science policy bodies. In addition to other accolades, Astrid Epiney has received the National Latsis Prize, is a Knight of the French Legion of Honour and has the German Federal Cross of Merit.
Vested interests:
- Swiss Study Foundation: President of the Foundation Board
Matthias Essenpreis
Matthias Essenpreis is Chief Technology Officer at Roche Diagnostics, Basel. After receiving a doctorate in medical physics, he pursued an international career at Roche, where he has held a variety of management roles. His responsibilities have included helping to shape research and innovation and collaborating with numerous research institutions and research funders.
Vested interests: None
Urs Frey
Urs Frey is the Medical Director at University Children’s Hospital Basel and Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Basel. He has received a number of awards, both for his research and his clinical activities, and was a member of the Research Council. Urs Frey will chair the National Steering Board of the Swiss Personalized Health Network (a federal initiative) until the end of 2024.
Vested interests:
- Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences (SAMS): Member of the Executive Board (transitionally until October 2024)
Agnès Petit
Agnès Petit is a non-executive director in industrial companies and an independent consultant for technology start-ups. After studying geosciences at the University of Lausanne, she completed her PhD and a post-doctorate at ETH Zurich. She then pursued a career in private-sector companies, including Holcim and Creabeton. In 2018, she founded her own company in the area of construction sector digitalisation.
Vested interests:
- Cemex Innovation Holding, Brügg: Entrepreneur-in-Residence
- Innosuisse – Swiss Innovation Agency: Expert
- Innovation Committee of the Vaud Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CVCI), Lausanne: Member
- Sanu Future Learning AG, Biel: Member of the Board of Directors
- Think Tank Singularity Group AG, Zurich: Expert
Laetitia Philippe (representative of SERI)
Laetitia Philippe is Head of the National Research and Innovation Division and Deputy Director of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). Following a degree in materials science, she spent more than 20 years in research, teaching and innovation. Before joining SERI, she headed the Research Development department at the SNSF.
Vested interests: None
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