Statement
Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences a+
ERI Dispatch 2025-2028: Universities and funding organisations for research and innovation fear cutback in services
The Federal Council plans to invest less than before in education, research and innovation (ERI) in the coming years. In its ERI Dispatch 2025–2028, the Federal Council proposes only a slight nominal growth for the ERI sector. Due to the expected inflation, a zero or negative growth is possible in real terms. A cutback in services at the ERI institutions concerned is therefore foreseeable. The universities and research and innovation promotion organisations are therefore calling for significant, real growth for the entire HERI sector over the next four-year period. Only in this way can they continue to make their contribution to progress and prosperity in Switzerland.
Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences SAMS
News
New funding program: Advanced Physician Scientists Grants
The Gottfried and Julia Bangerter-Rhyner Foundation and the SAMS are launching the funding program «Advanced Physician Scientists Grants» to support outstanding mid-career clinicians trained in Switzerland. The program allows them to devote 50 percent of their working time to their research project for two years, alongside their clinical activity.
Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences SATW
News
“Can we still dream of space?” – Galactic Chloé on the importance of space and who has a say in it
In 2019, Chloé Carrière co-founded Asclepios, Europe’s first student-led analog space mission. The first crew went into isolation in July 2021. In July 2025, the fifth edition spent 16 days underground at the Sasso San Gottardo fortress in Ticino – a mission that the aerospace engineer now accompanies as a mentor. As “Galactic Chloé”, she reaches a broad audience today with space topics on social media, in her own radio column and through documentary films. In an interview with SATW, she explains what students learn from a simulated moon mission, why she believes Swiss citizens should have a say in space policy, why she had to reshape her own dream of walking on the moon and how to keep Switzerland’s young space industry in the country.Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences SATW
News
A hot summer and Switzerland’s energy supply
According to MeteoSwiss, the summer of 2026 was the hottest since records began in 1864. At the same time, there had already been very little rainfall during the winter and spring, leading to extreme drought. The stable high-pressure weather also brought Switzerland a duration of sunshine well above the long-term average. These extreme weather events have far-reaching implications for society and the environment, and specifically for the energy supply. Christian Schaffner, Managing Director of the Energy Science Centre at ETH Zurich, provides an analysis for the SATW.