Statement by the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences on the 2023/9 consultation “Funding of Education, Research and Innovation in the years 2025-2028 (ERI Dispatch 25-28)”

A lack of role models can slow down professional careers. This also applies to academic medicine and especially to women. Yet female role models do exist, and the Stern-Gattiker Prize is dedicated to them. This year's Prize, which is endowed with CHF 15’000, is awarded to Prof. Alessandra Curioni-Fontecedro.

The Robert Bing Prize 2026 is awarded to two outstanding neuroscientists: Eduardo Martin Moraud, assistant professor at EPFL, is being distinguished for his translational research on movement disorders, notably in relation to Parkinson’s disease. Aiman S. Saab, professor at the University of Zurich, is honored for his fundamental contributions to understanding how glial cells help maintain neuronal and brain function. Each prize is worth 30’000 francs.

La Svizzera ama definirsi una nazione innovativa. Le classifiche internazionali le danno buoni motivi per farlo. Dispone infatti di un sistema educativo riconosciuto, di eccellenti università, di aziende efficienti e di una solida tradizione industriale. Tuttavia, esiste una differenza fondamentale tra l’attuale capacità innovativa e la capacità di rimanere innovativi anche in futuro.