English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Art. 1 Purpose
With this Act, the Confederation aims to: a. encourage scientific research; b. encourage science-based innovation; c. support the analysis and exploitation of research results; d. ensure cooperation between research bodies; e. ensure the economical and effective use of federal funding for scientific research and science-based innovation.
Art. 2 Definitions
In this Act: a. scientific research (research) means the method-based search for new knowledge; it covers in particular: 1. basic research: research, the main goal of which is to gain knowledge, 2. applied research: research, the main goal of which is to contribute solutions to practical problems; b. science-based innovation (innovation) means the development of new products, methods, processes and services in industry and society through research, particularly applied research and the exploitation of its results.
Art. 3 Scope of application
This Act applies to research bodies that use federal funding for research and innovation.
Art. 4 Research bodies
Pursuant to this Act, research bodies are: a. the following research funding institutions: 1. the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), 2. the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences, which comprise: – the Swiss Academy of Natural Sciences (SCNAT) – the Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences (SAHS) – the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences (SAMS) – the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW) – the Science et Cité competence centre – the TA-SWISS competence centre; b. the Swiss Innovation Agency (Innosuisse) under the Federal Act of 17 June 2016 on the Swiss Innovation Agency; c. the following higher education research centres: 1. the two federal institutes of technology and research institutes within the Federal Institutes of Technology Domain, 2. higher education institutions and other institutions within the higher education sector that are accredited under the Federal Act of 30 September 2011 on the Funding and Coordination of the Higher Education Sector (HEdA), 3. rese
let. a let. 2 — Amended by No I of the FA of 17 Dec. 2021 (Changes in the Promotion of Innovation), in force since 1 Jan. 2023 (AS 2022 221; BBl 2021 480). let. b — Amended by Annex No 2 of the FA of 17 June 2016 on the Swiss Innovation Agency, in force since 1 Jan. 2018 (AS 2016 4259, 2017 131; BBl 2015 9487). let. b — SR 420.2 let. c let. 2 — SR 414.20
Art. 5 Non-commercial research centres outside the higher education sector
Pursuant to this Act, non-commercial research centres outside the higher education sector are defined as publicly or privately controlled institutions which are not research bodies under Article 4, whose aim is to conduct research activities and which meet the following requirements: a. the parties that control or own the institution do not derive any pecuniary benefits from its research activities; b. the level and quality of the research is comparable to that of research carried out by higher education research centres.
Art. 6 Principles and missions
1 When planning federally funded activities, research bodies shall take the following into account: a. the freedom of research, the scientific quality of research and innovation, and the variety of scientific opinions and methods; b. the freedom of teaching and the close relationship between teaching and research; c. scientific integrity and good scientific practice. 2 When fulfilling their tasks, they encourage: a. the career development of promising young researchers; b. equal opportunities and true gender equality between men and women. 3 Furthermore, when fulfilling their tasks, they take account of: a. the goals of the sustainable development of society, the economy and the environment; b. international collaboration undertaken by other research bodies and the Confederation. 4 When encouraging innovation they are attentive to their contribution to competitiveness, value creation and employment in Switzerland.