SNSF invests record CHF819 million in research

Medicine and biology received the largest share of the SNSF's funds in 2013 Keystone

The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) invested a record CHF819 million ($933 million) in basic research in 2013 on higher demand for the financing of long-term medical studies, research infrastructures and the promotion of young scientists.

The SNSF approved more than 3,400 research proposals involving about 14,000 researchers. Projects in biology and medicine received 40% of the funding, while mathematics, natural and engineering sciences were granted 33% and the humanities and social sciences 27%, the foundation said in its annual report, which was published on Monday.

The SNSF has a government mandate and gets its income from Swiss state contributions. In 2013, it invested more than half of its funds in research projects. The number of applications for this type of funding increased by 37% between 2005 and 2011.

With the remaining funds, the foundation also supported 4,500 PhD students and 2,500 postdocs via projects and programmes and spent CHF180 million on career funding schemes to support 1100 young researchers in pursuing an academic career.

In 2013, the SNSF implemented various measures aimed at improving conditions for young researchers in Switzerland. These included return grants in the case of fellowships abroad, family support measures and a 7% increase in the salaries of doctoral students. The SNSF said it plans to focus on further promoting young researchers over the coming years.

“The SNSF can look back on a very successful year, but a lot remains to be done, particularly with regard to the promotion of young researchers,” said Martin Vetterli, President of the SNSF’s National Research Council. “We must persuade young talents to become researchers and ensure that the conditions for them are right.”