Research and science

Research and innovation are crucial for sustainable economic, social and ecological development and for the solution of global problems. They are the central driving forces for development-oriented globalisation. This applies not only to rich countries but also to poor countries.

Key facts

•	The SDC annually invests approx. CHF 50 m in research.
•	This budget is roughly equal to that of the Danish and the Dutch development agencies.

•	The largest segment of this sum goes to the international agricultural research group CGIAR.

•	The second and third largest sums are invested by the SDC in the areas of environment and water.

International scientific cooperation by Switzerland has a long tradition. For over thirty years Switzerland has been promoting research in and with developing and transitional countries as part of its development cooperation.

In accordance with its legal mandate, SDC's support for research is based on development policy considerations. The SDC makes contributions to international organizations and to research networks, along with making programme contributions within the scope of its Global and/or Regional Cooperation.

The main focus is on new findings and innovative approaches in areas such as agriculture, agricultural development and food security, conflict and transformation, health, water, resource management, climate change, governance and gender.

For one thing, the SDC pursues the objective of applying the knowledge generated in such a way as to contribute to the resolution of development problems and to the tackling of global challenges, while striving to ensure that international thematic-policy dialogue is conducted on the basis of the most recent findings. For another, the idea is to have the knowledge gained by research flow directly into the SDC’s programme activities so as to enhance the quality of Swiss development cooperation.

Success Stories
Cooperating for Success - Benefits of Research Partnerships with Developing Countries

The 12 practical examples in the publication of the Commission for Research Partnerships with Developing Countries (KFPE) show the advantages of cross-border research – also for Switzerland. Moreover, they underscore the continually evolving challenges of such efforts.

This publication can be ordered free of charge or downloaded: KFPE - Success Stories

Theme contact:

Dominique Simone Rychen

Additional Information and Documents

Documents

SDC-SNSF Fund for Research on Global Issues – Information Sheet
Download (PDF, 142 KB) : [en]
Un seul monde
Disponible seulement en Suisse
No. 2/2010 : Suissitude / Afrique du Sud
Download (PDF, 3672 KB) : [de] [fr] [it]
Order
Relevance of research for the reduction of poverty and global risks
Download (PDF, 104 KB) : [en]
Research plan 2008-2011 (full)
Download (PDF, 470 KB) : [de] [fr]
Research plan 2008-2011 (abridged)
Download (PDF, 466 KB) : [de] [en] [fr] [es]
SDC’s Research Related Activities
Evaluation 2010/1
Download (PDF, 1699 KB) : [en]

External Links

Swiss National Science Foundation SNSF
http://www.snf.ch/E/Pages/default.aspx
Commission for Research Partnerships with Developing Countries KFPE
http://www.kfpe.ch/
Swiss Programme for Research on Global Issues for Development
http://www.r4d.ch

Articles and Press releases