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The Federal Council wants to support education and research with 30 billion. It remains to be seen whether the financial situation will allow this until 2028.
The Federal Council intends to support universities, SMEs, start-ups, vocational training opportunities and research and innovation projects with CHF 29.7 billion in the years 2025 to 2028. In this way, Switzerland is to defend its global leadership role in this area.
The Swiss business and research location is under pressure because there is no institutional agreement with the EU and the associated association with the Horizon Europe research program.
To strengthen the In the ERI Dispatch, the Federal Council therefore focuses on competitiveness in the competitive funding of research and innovation. In particular, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and Innosuisse should be provided with sufficient funds. According to the Federal Council, universities, colleges, SMEs, start-ups and other stakeholders will benefit from this.
Current period: overall good condition
According to the state government, the provisional results for the 2021 to 2024 funding period show that the Swiss system is in good shape overall and is internationally competitive. However, there are also important challenges such as the shortage of skilled workers.
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The Federal Council writes that the ERI sector should not suffer too much from the shortage of skilled workers because it is sustainable.
key stone
The Federal Council had already decided in March that the funding should nominally increase by two percent compared to the current support period. A “stop and go” policy should be avoided, according to the current communication. However, there was criticism because expenditure in the education sector has so far risen more sharply.
Parliament has the last word
However, whether the upper limit of almost CHF 30 billion for the new ERI message can be exhausted depends on the financial situation of the federal government. This is currently very tense. If no austerity measures are taken, there is a risk of deficits running into the billions in the next few years.
The message published on Friday about the promotion of education, research and innovation (ERI) will be open for consultation until September 24th. Ultimately, the decision will be made by parliament, to which the Federal Council is expected to submit twelve financial resolutions at the end of February 2024.