Discussion Paper: Towards a Sustainable Swiss Research Infrastructure Policy, Funding and Governance Framework

Research Infrastructures (RIs) are facilities that provide resources and services for research communities. RIs have become increasingly important in recent years for conducting research and foster scientific innovation in many domains complementary to traditional project and career funding instruments.

One of the key problems of the Swiss RI landscape is the lack of a coherent funding, governance, and monitoring model for existing and new research infrastructures. Funding, governance, and monitoring requirements vary greatly based on historical legacies and depending on who has the main responsibility for a RI. This lack of clarity creates confusion and inefficiencies: Considerable efforts must be made by RIs to independently establish a funding and governing model that is accepted, while many of the existing models are constantly put into question. Funding applications as well as monitoring requirements vary substantially also depending on what legal basis an RI is funded. The large variation of models furthermore creates difficulties for funding organizations to steer the process of RI development and funding in a coherent way.

To address these issues the development of a unified legal basis for the funding and governance of RIs is needed. This could be achieved by adding a comprehensive framework article to the Federal Act on the Promotion of Research and Innovation (RIPA), outlining key criteria for the operation of national infrastructures, such as non-profit operation, independent governance, and transparent funding and monitoring mechanisms as well as a coordina-tion mechanism that includes also the national infrastructure roadmap process. 

The paper proposes establishing a single national body responsible for RI policymaking and monitoring, ensuring coherence and sustainability. While not responsible for directly funding infrastructures, such a coordinating body should take responsibility that funding models exist in general and for each individual RI. It should not be left to single RIs to try to negotiate independent funding with the different involved actors that do not participate in coordination.

The proposed model emphasizes joint funding by national and higher education institutions and includes standardized governance structures, clear service portfolios, and inclusive access policies. Additionally, it calls for a coordinated monitoring framework to ensure accountability and to measure the outputs and impact of RIs. 

Such joint RI policies and funding and governance models will lead to a more coordinated and efficient approach to support the Swiss research community and to enhance Switzerland's position in the global research landscape.