Partnership between the SNSF and Innosuisse

The innovation cycle – from basic research through to new products and services – requires coordinated and effective support. Indeed, research and innovation are pursuing common goals: On the one hand, scientific discoveries and breakthroughs can lead to innovations. On the other, the challenges facing the economy and society inspire and stimulate science. The tasks and activities of both organisations are aimed at further developing Switzerland’s excellent research and innovation performance through competitive funding.

As the national organisations for the public promotion of research and innovation, Innosuisse and the SNSF have been linked since 2021 by a Memorandum of Understanding, which formalises the collaboration that has already been in place since 2017. The agreement provides for enhanced coordination of funding portfolios and guidelines.

Cooperation and exchanges at the operational and strategic levels are also enhanced. For example, Innosuisse and the SNSF have decided to increase the budget of the joint BRIDGE programme by 50 per cent to CHF 105 million for the period 2021–2024. BRIDGE supports researchers who want to develop their results with the aim of bringing them to market. In addition, the SNSF and Innosuisse are also collaborating on other programmes such as the National Research Programme Covid-19 (NRP 78) in order to stimulate the practical and rapid implementation of research results.

Both organisations provide access on their respective websites to all their funding schemes, allowing individuals, companies and organisations seeking support to select the most suitable offers.