At the end of January 2026, the Swiss government announced the launch of six new National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCR). The decision was signed by Swiss Federal President Guy Parmelin, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research.

During the first funding phase from 2026 to 2029, the federal government will invest CHF 98.7 million in these new programmes. Participating universities and research institutes will contribute at least an equivalent amount from their own resources, effectively doubling the overall investment.


What Are the National Centres of Competence in Research?

The NCCRs are the flagship instrument of Swiss research policy. They are designed to provide long-term support for excellent research in areas considered strategically important for science, the economy and society.

The programme has been running since 2001. Over five funding rounds, 42 centres have been established; 14 NCCRs are currently active.

Each centre is anchored at one or several higher education institutions—typically the universities of Basel, Bern, Lausanne and Zurich, as well as ETH Zurich, EPFL, or research institutions such as the Paul Scherrer Institute. In addition to the host institutions, numerous other universities and public and private partners are involved.

The goal is to concentrate top-level expertise, build sustainable research structures and strengthen Switzerland’s international position in science and innovation.

All NCCRs also include mandatory components related to the training of early-career researchers, the promotion of women in science, open science practices, and the transfer of knowledge and technology into practical applications.

How the Sixth Series of Centres Was Selected

The new cohort of six NCCRs is the result of a competitive call launched at the end of 2023 by the Swiss National Science Foundation. Acting on behalf of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, the Foundation evaluated more than 75 proposals in several selection rounds involving international experts.

Eleven projects were rated as “excellent” and recommended for further consideration. Following an additional assessment focusing on science policy, higher education strategy and budgetary feasibility, six new NCCRs were ultimately approved.

The programmes will officially start in spring 2026 and cover areas including medicine, climate research, quantum technologies and particle physics.


Overview of the Six New Research Centres

NCCR “Children & Cancer” – Childhood Cancer

This programme aims to optimise the treatment of paediatric cancer patients by improving diagnostics, therapies and long-term outcomes. The host institutions are the University of Zurich and the University of Lausanne. Federal funding for 2026–2029 amounts to CHF 16.99 million.

NCCR “CLIM+” – Climate Extremes and Adaptation

CLIM+ focuses on interdisciplinary research into climate extremes and the development of innovative solutions for societal adaptation to climate change. The centre is hosted by ETH Zurich and the University of Bern, with federal funding of CHF 16.88 million for the first phase.

NCCR “Genesis” – Origins of Life on Earth and in the Universe

Genesis investigates how life emerged on Earth and whether it may exist elsewhere in the universe. The programme brings together expertise from ETH Zurich and the University of Lausanne and will receive CHF 16.99 million between 2026 and 2029.

NCCR “Muoniverse” – The World of Muons

This centre is dedicated to interdisciplinary basic and applied research on muons—elementary particles that play an important role in particle physics and precision measurements. The host institutions are the Paul Scherrer Institute and the University of Zurich. Federal funding totals CHF 14.26 million for 2026–2029.

NCCR “Precision” – Time and Frequency

Precision aims to establish a comprehensive research programme in precision measurement, with a particular focus on time and frequency. These technologies are critical for navigation systems, telecommunications and quantum technologies. The centre is jointly hosted by ETH Zurich and the University of Basel and will receive CHF 16.97 million in federal funding.

NCCR “Separations” – New Separation Technologies for Chemistry and Industry

Hosted solely by EPFL, this programme focuses on developing novel separation technologies in chemistry and accelerating their transfer into industrial applications. Federal funding for 2026–2029 amounts to CHF 16.59 million.

Absence of Humanities and Social Sciences

None of the newly approved centres focus on the humanities or social sciences. In response, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research has announced that it will allocate additional funding and launch a separate call specifically targeting these disciplines, in order to ensure disciplinary diversity across the entire NCCR programme.

A Long-Term Investment in Scientific Excellence

Each NCCR can receive federal funding for up to twelve years, typically structured in three four-year phases. Continued funding depends on the results of regular evaluations.

Since 2001, Switzerland has used this instrument to strengthen its position as one of the world’s most competitive research and innovation economies. The six new centres expand the programme into areas that will be decisive for medicine, energy, climate policy and technological development in the decades ahead.


Zdeněk Eliáš, Trade Counsellor, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Bern