National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs)
From sustainable architecture to the evolutionary origins of language to quantum computers: the NCCRs fund long-term research projects on topics of strategic importance to Switzerland.
The NCCRs maintain and sustainably strengthen Swiss research in areas that are important for the future of science, the economy and society at large. The NCCRs achieve this by promoting outstanding research and creating additional teaching and research capacities.
An NCCR is always based at one or more higher education institutions. One of these home institutions hosts the NCCR management. The NCCRs moreover form a network with partners from the academic, public, and private sectors. In so doing, they improve the structures and international connectedness of the Swiss research community.
The NCCRs also implement measures in five additional areas:
- Education and training of the next generation of scientists
- Equal opportunities
- Open science
- Knowledge and technology transfer
- Science communication and outreach
Five NCCR series have been launched (2001, 2005, 2010, 2014, 2020) and 42 NCCRs established since 2001. The first three NCCR series have been concluded. 14 NCCRs are currently ongoing.
On behalf of the Swiss Confederation, the SNSF periodically launches new NCCR calls. At the end of November 2023, the SNSF published a call for a sixth series of NCCRs.
Ongoing NCCRs
Concluded NCCRs
- NCCR Affective Sciences
- NCCR Climate
- NCCR CO-ME
- NCCR Democracy
- NCCR FINRISK
- NCCR Genetics
- NCCR Iconic Criticism
- NCCR IM2
- NCCR Molecular Oncology
- NCCR MaNEP
- NCCR Mediality
- NCCR MICS
- NCCR Nanoscale Science
- NCCR Neuro
- NCCR North-South
- NCCR Plant Survival
- NCCR Quantum Photonics
- NCCR sesam
- NCCR Structural Biology
- NCCR Trade Regulation
- NCCR Chemische Biologie
- NCCR Kidney.CH
- NCCR LIVES
- NCCR MUST
- NCCR QSIT
- NCCR Robotics
- NCCR SYNAPSY
- NCCR TransCure
Youtube Channel #NCCRWomen
NCCRs implement measures to improve equal opportunities and to promote early-career scientists. As women are underrepresented in science, the NCCRs put promoting their scientific careers centre stage. To mark the 50th anniversary of women's suffrage in Switzerland in 2021, the NCCRs have started series of short films profiling female scientists who play a key role in many different areas of Swiss research.
Reports
- Evaluation of the Selection Process of the 5th Series (PDF)
- Swiss National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCR): Evaluation of the selection process (PDF)
- The NCCR instrument and its structural effects (German)
- Examen systématique des effets de l'instrument Pôles de recherche nationaux PRN (série 1, 2001 - 2013) (French) (PDF)
Key Figures
News