Six new National Centres of Competence in Research strengthen Swiss cutting-edge research in strategically important areas
Berne, 30.01.2026 — President Guy Parmelin, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), has decided to launch six new National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs). The federal government thus seeks to reinforce Swiss research and innovation activities in strategically important areas such as medicine, quantum technology and climate. During the initial operating phase from 2026 to 2029, the federal government will provide CHF 98.7 million in seed funding for these extensive research undertakings. Participating higher education institutions and research institutes will contribute additional funding at least equal to the amount provided by the federal government.
The National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs) will be established with long-term support from the respective management boards of four cantonal universities (Basel, Bern, Lausanne and Zurich), two federal institutes of technology (ETH Zurich, EPFL) and the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI). In addition to the host institutions, several other higher education institutions and research institutes will also be involved. This will enable the available expertise in the respective fields to be pooled together and directed towards new research objectives.
The 6th series of NCCRs is the result of a call for proposals and evaluation process launched by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) at the end of 2023. Acting on behalf of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), the SNSF scientifically reviewed over 75 proposals submitted in a multi-stage process. International experts assisted with the review process. Eleven projects deemed to be of outstanding quality were short-listed and sent to SERI as the competent authority. Following an assessment by SERI from a research and higher education policy perspective, and taking into account the available funding, the head of EAER decided to launch six new NCCRs.
The following National Centres of Competence in Research will be launched in the spring 2026:
NCCR ‘Children & Cancer’
Objective: Optimisation of treatment for children with cancer
Host institution: University of Zurich, University of Lausanne
Federal funding 2026–2029: CHF 16.99 million
NCCR ‘CLIM+’
Objective: Interdisciplinary research on climate extremes and innovative solutions for human adaptation to climate change
Host institutions: ETH Zurich, University of Bern
Federal funding 2026–2029: CHF 16.88 million
NCCR ‘Genesis’
Objective: Exploring how life on Earth originated and whether there is life in the universe
Host institutions: ETH Zurich and University of Lausanne
Federal funding 2026–2029: CHF 16.99 million
NCCR ‘Muoniverse’
Objective: Interdisciplinary basic and applied research on muons (physics)
Host institutions: PSI, University of Zurich
Federal funding 2026–2029: CHF 14.26 million
NCCR ‘Precision’
Objective: Comprehensive research programme on precision measurements with a focus on the physical quantities of time and frequency
Host institutions: ETH Zurich, University of Basel
Federal funding 2026–2029: CHF 16.97 million
NCCR ‘Separations’
Objective: Development of new separation technologies (chemistry) and optimisation of technology transfer to industry
Host institution: EPFL
Federal funding 2026–2029: CHF 16.59 million
None of the approved programmes are in the humanities and social sciences. The EAER has therefore decided to set aside funds for an additional programme and to conduct a competitive selection process for the humanities and social sciences in order to offer greater scientific diversity.
National Centres of Competence in Research are intended to give rise to new lasting structures and maintain the excellence and international positioning of Swiss research activities. By their very nature, NCCRs adopt interdisciplinary approaches to scientifically, socially and economically relevant topics. NCCRs also play a key role in supporting early-career researchers and promoting women in science. They receive federal funding for a maximum period of twelve years. The federal government has used such programmes to support outstanding research of strategic importance since 2001.
Further information:
https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/en/national-centres-of-competence-in-research