Statement by the Swiss Science Council (SSC) on its planned dissolution
The Federal Council decided on 28 January 2026 to submit a proposal to Parliament to dissolve the Swiss Science Council (SSC) as an Extra-Parliamentary Commission. This decision was justified by the argument that the Council’s advisory services to the Federal Council were no longer needed due to changed framework conditions. According to the Federal Council, the increased pace of politics and the expansion of internal administrative competences mean that the SSC, in its current form, is no longer appropriate. It further maintained that short-term expertise was now required, which could be provided by ad hoc committees appointed by the Federal Council or the Federal Administration, or through external mandates. Instead, the need today is for short-term expertise, which could be provided by ad hoc committees appointed by the Federal Council or the federal administration, or through the awarding of external mandates.
The SSC is a citizen-based (militia) committee typical for Switzerland. It provides high-quality advisory services at low cost. In times of political upheaval and challenges, it ensures a long-term and independent perspective, consistently taking a comprehensive view of the entire Swiss education, research and innovation (ERI) system. By deciding to dissolve the SSC, Switzerland would be taking a unique path in international comparison. No other country with a comparably significant ERI system does without such independent expertise. For these reasons, the SSC strongly rejects the Federal Council's decision.
The contribution of the Swiss Science Council (SSC)
The Swiss Science Council (SSC) has been providing the Federal Council with evidence-based advice on education, research and innovation for over 60 years. The SSC is independent of special interests and assesses the ERI system from a systemic perspective and in an international context. The SSC is in close contact with its European partner organisations. The members of the SSC are elected ad personam, do not represent institutional interests and come from the ETH Domain, cantonal universities, Universities of Applied Sciences and industry. Their interdisciplinary composition and extensive international experience enable them to offer a perspective that operational actors, ad hoc working groups or commissioned contract research cannot provide.
The SSC handles mandates from key ERI stakeholders and, on its own initiative, addresses topics that are relevant in the medium and long term, including some that are not yet on the political agenda. It is currently evaluating the funding instrument for research institutions of national importance (Art. 15 RIPA) and Innosuisse’s funding portfolio on behalf of SERI and analysing trends in doctoral student numbers for the Swiss Conference of Higher Education Institutions (SHK). In addition, it is examining artificial intelligence and research infrastructures, the role of research libraries in the digital transformation, the contribution of Universities of Applied Sciences to the Swiss innovation system, and the potential role of Higher Education Institutions in addressing climate change. The SSC has also been invited by the State Secretary of Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) to formulate its strategic considerations for the 2029–2032 ERI dispatch.
All of the SSC's analyses result in concrete policy recommendations for stakeholders in the ERI system. These recommendations, some of which are the subject of heated debate, stimulate discussion about the necessary further development of the Swiss ERI system. In recent years, for example, the SSC has provided important inputs for the development of quantum technologies in Switzerland, the organisation of scientific policy advice in times of crisis, the discussion of social selectivity in the education system, the promotion of young academics and the exploration of how topic-oriented funding programmes can address the major social challenges of our time. The evaluation of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) has also made a significant contribution to the discussion on the organisational and content-related reorientation of Switzerland's most important research funding institution.
The SSC's analyses are based on recognised methods and are published in a fully transparent manner. Their high quality and cost-effectiveness have been expressly confirmed in recent years by the Parliamentary Control of the Administration (PCA), the Control Committee of the Council of States (CC-S) and the Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO)[1]. Private providers cannot offer comparable services, either in technical or economic terms.
With the dissolution of the SSC, Switzerland would lose an independent, long-term oriented and internationally recognised voice in science and innovation policy consulting, without any significant savings. The SSC does not understand the rationale for this decision. The president, council members and office are highly motivated to continue advising the Federal Council and contributing to the further development of Education, Research and Innovation in Switzerland.
The importance of Education, Research and Innovation for Switzerland
The education, research and innovation system forms the foundation for Switzerland's future. In a globalised knowledge society, a highly skilled workforce, innovation and scientific excellence are decisive location factors. Switzerland has no significant natural resources – its most important resource is the knowledge and innovative capacity of its public and private institutions and companies.
An efficient ERI system is of central importance for the economy and society. For the economy, it means access to skilled workers, research infrastructures and scientific knowledge that contribute to innovation, value creation and prosperity. For society, it guarantees educational opportunities, social mobility, democratic participation through informed citizens, and solutions to social challenges such as climate change, health care and digital transformation.
The relevance of the ERI system for Switzerland's competitiveness is reflected in the federal government's investments: the ERI dispatch for the years 2025–2028 provides for expenditure of around CHF 29 billion. This corresponds to around ten per cent of total federal expenditure, making the ERI system one of the federal government's largest areas of expenditure.
In view of this considerable financial commitment, sound, fact-based policymaking is not only desirable but absolutely essential. Taxpayers are entitled to expect these funds to be used efficiently and in a targeted manner.
The complexity of the ERI system as a challenge
Managing the Swiss ERI system is challenging because it is highly complex, particularly in four areas.
Firstly, responsibilities are divided between the federal government and the cantons. While the federal government is directly responsible for the Federal Institutes of Technology (ETH/EPF), the cantons have primary responsibility for the cantonal universities and Universities of Applied Sciences. However, the federal government also contributes to their funding through basic subsidies. Research and innovation funding, on the other hand, is financed primarily by the federal government. This complex multi-level system of responsibilities requires intensive coordination. With its overview of the entire ERI system and its in-depth knowledge of federal responsibilities, the SSC formulates appropriate and policy-relevant recommendations.
Secondly, Switzerland is one of the countries with the highest research and development intensity worldwide. Around two-thirds of R&D expenditure is financed by the private sector. These private investments are crucial to Switzerland's innovative strength. At the same time, the interdependence between public and private research leads to complex dependencies and interests. Thanks to its composition, the SSC has knowledge of application-oriented research and innovation. It always takes into account the framework conditions and needs of industrial research and development.
Thirdly, the ERI system is deeply integrated into European and global networks. The association with the EU framework programmes for research and innovation, the mobility of researchers, international research collaborations and global competition for talent fundamentally shape the system. At the same time, this gives rise to dependencies and political risks, as experience with the temporary non-association with Horizon Europe has shown. The SSC is in close contact with its international partner organisations, particularly in Europe. It is a member of the European Science Advisors Forum (ESAF) and the European network of Science Councils (European Science, Technology and Innovation Councils).
Fourthly, the system is characterised by many actors. Higher Education Institutions (ETH, universities, Universities of Applied Sciences, Universities of Teacher Education), research funding organisations (SNSF, Innosuisse), non-university research institutions, trade associations, student organisations and other actors pursue legitimate but sometimes divergent interests. Every institution fights for resources, reputation and room for manoeuvre – this is especially true in times of scarce financial resources. As an Extra-Parliamentary Commission, the SSC is independent. Its aim is to improve the framework conditions for all stakeholders.
The necessity of an independent, system-wide perspective
Given the relevance and complexity of the ERI system, as well as the scale of public investment, an independent, well-founded, system-wide perspective on the ERI system is of paramount importance. The various actors within the system naturally pursue their own legitimate interests: higher education institutions aim to develop, research funding organisations seek to secure their budgets, and industry associations advocate for business-friendly conditions. While this diversity of perspectives is both legitimate and fruitful, it requires an independent, systemic viewpoint to be properly understood. This comprehensive perspective is precisely what the SSC provides.
In addition, the effects of measures in individual areas of the ERI system often only become apparent after a delay and sometimes in other areas. Changes in basic research, for example, are hardly noticeable in the short term, but have long-term effects on innovation and economic development. Against this backdrop in particular, independent analyses and evaluations are of central importance: they create transparency regarding the use of public funds, enable fact-based management and contribute to the democratic legitimacy of political decisions.
The SSC guarantees the necessary overall view of the ERI system. As an extra-parliamentary commission, it professionally provides the necessary facts and assesses them independently, transparently and on the basis of its unique combination of personal experience in an international context and knowledge of Swiss peculiarities.
[1] Swiss Federal Audit Office EFK-24428 ‘Subsidy audit of research institutions of national importance’ (report in German), 03.02.2025.