Key facts
The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) awards most of the public funding for scientific research in Switzerland on behalf of the Confederation. At the end of 2024, the SNSF was funding around 6,000 projects involving some 22,000 researchers. Every year, around 3,000 funding applications are approved and funding of around CHF 1 billion is awarded.
The SNSF has set four strategic priorities for the years 2021 to 2028, which are being implemented as part of multi-year programmes and an IT strategy. The central transformation programme EIGER is modernising research funding with a new, cloud-based IT platform. EIGER and other initiatives are being implemented using modern methods such as lean portfolio management and agile project management.
The SFAO examined whether the SNSF has adequate IT governance. The audit found that IT governance is generally functioning well. Nevertheless, the SNSF must take internal personnel costs into account in its future reporting.