Supporting research during the pandemic: How the Swiss National Science Foundation has responded to COVID-19

Abstract

As the foremost research funding organisation in Switzerland, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) plays a key role in promoting scientific research in Switzerland. In 2019, the SNSF supported 18,900 researchers with over 1 billion Swiss francs in order to promote research that benefits society, the economy, and politics. All three of these areas have been dramatically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic – with profound national and inter- national consequences. This article provides an overview of the SNSF’s national and international responses to the pandemic, discusses the challenges the SNSF has faced during the pandemic, and highlights lessons learnt so far.