Guidance

UK Science and Innovation Network summary: Switzerland

Updated 30 April 2024

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Science and innovation landscape in Switzerland

Switzerland is a serious player on the international Science and Innovation scene. In 2023, for the 13th year running, Switzerland was top of the Global Innovation Index. On the wider European Innovation Scoreboard in 2023 the country confirmed its top position as the overall Innovation Leader for the Europe region.

In terms of the number of patent applications per capita, Switzerland occupies a leading position worldwide. Switzerland invests over CHF 23 billion (£20.7 billion) in research and development annually, which equates to 3.15% of its gross domestic product.

This makes Switzerland it one of the highest investors in research and development in the world. The private sector is a major contributor to research and development in Switzerland, making up more than 70% of Swiss research expenditure and investing a total of CHF 15.5 billion (2.1% of GDP) in 2019.

Higher education is diversified in Switzerland and powers are shared between the cantons and the Confederation. Comprising ten Cantonal universities and 2 Federal institutes of technology: Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ) and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), plus 4 affiliated national research institutes:

  • Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI)
  • Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)
  • Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG)
  • Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL)
  • Federal Institute of Technology (ETH)

and universities of applied sciences, geared towards practical training and applied research. Switzerland hosts 2 (ETHZ 9th and EPFL 16th in QS WUR 2023) of the top 10 universities in Europe. Seven are located in the UK. In 2023, Switzerland’s scientific publications had the 9th highest global impact according to the nature index.

Federal strategy and funding for education, research, and innovation 2021 to 2024

The Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), headed by State Secretary Martina Hirayama, publishes a white paper every 4 years ‘Message on promotion of education, research and innovation’ . This defines the strategy and policy priorities. In 2021 to 2024, priorities focus on:

  • digital transformation
  • fostering apprenticeships
  • support life-long learning
  • positioning the ETH Domain as major innovation driver in Switzerland

Education, research, and innovation (ERI) enjoys a budget of some £24 billion (CHF 28 billion) for the period 2021 to 2024. The budget helps maintain the high level of public grant funding awarded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) to fundamental research on a competitive basis. Its budget for 2021 to 2024 is approximately £4 billion (CHF 4.6 billion). Calls for proposals are advertised on SNSF website.

UK partnership with Switzerland on science, technology and innovation (ST&I)

Switzerland is a key partner for the UK given the excellence in innovation and our complementary approaches to science and innovation. Our respective science ministries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Collaboration in Science and Innovation in November 2022 with 3 focuses:

  1. collaboration in deep science and technology
  2. innovation
  3. collaboration over international research and innovation policy

It is a testament to our desire to foster more collaboration between our scientific and innovation communities. The MOU has identified several areas of focus such as life sciences, energy and cleantech, climate, artificial intelligence, data, space, and quantum. However, collaboration is encouraged across all fields.  

The Science and Innovation Network (SIN) in Switzerland works to support UK science excellence and innovation policy objectives. SIN Switzerland contributes towards the delivery of the MOU priorities by working closely with Swiss government and its science and innovation actors.

Science and Innovation Network Switzerland contact

Martina Novakova, Head of Science and Innovation, British Embassy Berne

Martina.Novakova@fcdo.gov.uk

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