Academy
19.12.2023
To celebrate its 80th anniversary, the SAMS says: cheers!
The SAMS, founded in 1943, has celebrated its 80th birthday this year. Without glitz and glamour, it took advantage of the Senate meeting in November and drew inspiration from four personalities with different backgrounds. With this short review, we are closing the anniversary year and would like to thank everyone for their dedicated and inspiring collaboration.
As you can easily see from the picture, the extraordinary Senate meeting was accompanied by a talented hand: Michael Meier summarized the presentations in a visual protocol. Find out more in our last newsletter of 2023 (in French). We wish you a festive holiday season and look forward to a variety of tasks and projects in the new year.
Download the picture (PDF)
Funding
12.12.2023
Young Talents in Clinical Research: grants and the program’s future
With the «Young Talents in Clinical Research» program launched in 2017, the Gottfried and Julia Bangerter-Rhyner Foundation and the SAMS enable young medical doctors to start out in clinical research. Of the 46 submitted proposals within the 2023 call, 13 grants have been awarded. In addition, the continuation of the program has been secured until 2028.
During the seventh call for proposals, the SAMS evaluation committee proposed to support 13 promising young clinician scientists. The Bangerter Foundation approved the awards for a total of CHF 960’022. The Foundation has moreover committed to funding the program for four more years with CHF 1 million per year. The grantees and supported projects are listed in the synopsis below (pdf). The next YTCR call will be launched by the end of March 2024.
Synopsis of grantees (PDF)
Academy
11.12.2023
The SAMS and a+ have revised their statutes
The Federal Council has approved the partial revision of the statutes of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences (a+). This revision is the result of a process of organizational development that has strengthened the Academies. The Federal Council also approved the changes to the SAMS statutes, already made in 2022. This formal validation has an important symbolic value for the SAMS, whose missions are recognized at the highest level of the federal state.
The new version of the SAMS statutes gives the institutions that have launched university medical training courses in recent years a seat in the Senate (Universities of St. Gallen and Lucerne, USI and ETH Zurich). It broadens the representation of medical societies, creates a category of emeritus members and clarifies the voting rights. The new statutes and other reference documents are available on our website under «Portrait» (in French an in German).
SAMS statutes, French version (PDF)
SPHN
05.12.2023
SPHN: The ELSI Advisory Group in a new composition
The ELSI Advisory Group (ELSIag) of the Swiss Personalized Health Network (SPHN) addresses the ethical, legal and social aspects of health data sharing. After 7 years, Effy Vayena is handing over the ELSIag chair to Susanne Driessen. In addition, Michaela Egli has joined the SAMS General Secretariat to support the committee as new ELSI project manager of SPHN.
From the outset, the protection of sensitive personal data has been an essential premise of the SPHN initiative. The «Ethical Framework for Responsible Data Processing» was thus developed as one of SPHN’s first pioneering frameworks. In the upcoming year, the group will focus on questions related to the sharing of genomic data. The two new members, Thomas Gächter and Benno Röthlisberger, complement the broad expertise of the ELSIag. Detailed information on the ELSIag can be found on the SPHN website.
Visit the website
Ethics
04.12.2023
Revision of the guidelines «Coercive measures in medicine»
In medical practice, coercion can take several forms, their ethical and legal status ranging from «necessary» to «completely unacceptable». Since 2015, the guidelines «Coercive measures in medicine» provide a framework for resolving conflicts of this kind. Developments in medical ethics and legislation have made it necessary to revise the guidelines. The Central Ethics Committee has appointed an interprofessional and interdisciplinary subcommittee to carry out this work.
The aim of the guidelines is to raise and maintain awareness of the fact that coercive measures of any kind constitute a serious infringement of personal rights and thus require ethical justification in each case. Compliance with procedural requirements in itself does not justify the use of coercive measures. Careful ethical reflection is essential in all cases. More information on the subject, the composition and the proceedings of the subcommittee can be found on our website.
Further information
Funding
23.11.2023
KZS Fund: 4 Seed Grants for junior researchers in biomedical ethics
With resources from the Käthe-Zingg-Schwichtenberg (KZS) Fund, the SAMS supports research projects in biomedical ethics, namely clinical and public health ethics. The 2023 call was thematically open and specifically intended for junior researchers. This year, the SAMS funds 4 Seed Grants with a total amount of CHF 226’675.
KZS Seed Grants allow grantees to explore an innovative research idea, to realize a small, independent pilot project and/or to prepare their own project proposal to be submitted to a larger funding agency. The synopsis (pdf) provides an overview of all KZS grants to date. Further information can be found on our website.
Download synopsis (PDF)
Publications
21.11.2023
The SAMS turns 80, takes a critical look back and a bold look ahead
On its 80th birthday, the SAMS takes a critical look at one of its best-known products: the medical-ethical guidelines. The focus in Bulletin 4/2023 by Dr Magaly Tornay, co-leader of the SNSF project «Governing by Values: On the history of medical and bioethics in Switzerland», provides an initial, critical overview of their development. The author also demonstrates in a captivating way that ethics always rhymed with work on language, and that this is still true today.
In addition to the historical focus, Prof. Paul Hoff, President of the Central Ethics Committee (CEC), has written an article on how the CEC sees itself today. You can also read our President's (critical) thoughts on the Swiss healthcare system and its possible future, news from SPHN and details of two current calls for proposals in our Funding section.
Bulletin 4/2023, French version (PDF)
Academy
20.11.2023
At the source of iodised salt
A century ago, three country doctors solved Switzerland's serious goitre problem by introducing iodine into cooking salt. This significant achievement remained largely unknown to the general public until journalist Jonah Goodman uncovered the story in an in-depth article published in «Das Magazin» in 2022. The article was recently awarded the Prix Média of the Swiss Academies of Science.
Jonah Goodman delved deep into the archives to shed light on this little-known chapter in Swiss history, demonstrating that scientific knowledge alone is not enough; there must also be people willing to face up to resistance and able to market these discoveries. The award-winning article was praised by the jury for its scientific meticulousness, its topicality and its potential link with the management of current health crises. The SAMS hosts the «Fluoride and Iodine» Commission, which is responsible for examining scientific, technical and political issues relating to the intake of fluoride and iodine.
Further information
Ethics
09.11.2023
New regulations for the Central Ethics Committee
At its meeting at the beginning of November, the SAMS Senate approved the entry into force of the new regulations of the Central Ethics Committee (CEC). Among other things, the document describes the composition and working methods of the committee and its subgroups. It also sets out in detail processes for the development and quality assurance of medico-ethical guidelines, a mechanism that has been in place for many years and has proved its worth.
For an ethics committee, the legitimacy and credibility of its work are essential. The revised regulations therefore describe the composition of the CEC and its subgroups in greater detail than before. The inclusion of representatives of patients, those affected and their families in the thematic working groups is now also stipulated. The CEC itself has taken the initiative of writing down its working methods in its regulations. The key terms of its modus operandi are open-ended and consensual. You can find out more about CEC activities and tasks on its web page.
Download the regulations (in French) (PDF)
Funding
07.11.2023
Robert Bing Prize in neurosciences 2024: call for nominations
The SAMS is launching a call for nominations for the Robert Bing Prize. The Bing Prize is awarded every two years to authors of outstanding work that has advanced the diagnosis, treatment and cure of diseases of the nervous system. Nominations can be submitted by a third party or an academic institution. The submission deadline is 15 February 2024.
In accordance with the donor’s will, the Robert Bing Prize is awarded primarily to young (up to 45 years old) neuroscientists with the Swiss nationality or who have been working in Switzerland for a significant amount of time. The prize is awarded with a prize money of CHF 50’000 for a single laureate or CHF 30’000 each if two laureates are distinguished simultaneously. All information about the Prize, the format and the submission of nominations can be found on our website.
Synopsis of past laureates (PDF)
Projects
26.10.2023
Report of the Forum for sustainability in the healthcare system
This summer, nearly 200 people gathered in Berne at the invitation of the SAMS to reflect on ways of making the healthcare system more sustainable and respectful of planetary limits. The Revue médicale suisse (RMS) takes us back to the event.
With the SAMS roadmap (2022) as a reference point, the aim of the Forum was to highlight existing initiatives, inspire further action and create a community of healthcare professionals committed to the ecological transition of healthcare services. Discover the RMS report, the report of the Academic Citizens’s Assembly, several video interviews of participants, as well as personal accounts published in various media.
Download the report, in French (PDF)
Projects
17.10.2023
SCOHPICA: empowering healthcare professionals and informal caregivers
The SCOHPICA (Swiss COhort of Healthcare Professionals and Informal CAregivers) project gives a voice to healthcare professionals and informal caregivers in order to better understand their needs and improve their working conditions. Launched in 2022, this nationwide project is supported by the SAMS.
In order to obtain representative results for each profession and sector, it is crucial that as many health professionals as possible participate in the project. If you would like to join the currently over 1700 participants and share your experience, visit the SCOHPICA website and complete the questionnaire. If you already participated last year, you will be invited to answer the 2023 questionnaire.
Visit the website
SPHN
12.10.2023
New SPHN Factsheet focuses on the Swiss Health Data Space
The Swiss Personalized Health Network (SPHN) coordinates the development of an infrastructure for the responsible and efficient reuse of health-related data throughout Switzerland. The factsheet 2023 illustrates the important hub function of the Data Coordination Center (SPHN-DCC) and shows the resources that SPHN provides for achieving this goal.
The new factsheet outlines the baseline situation regarding the management of health-related data in Switzerland and identifies the associated challenges and hurdles for their reuse. It further provides an overview of the SPHN key elements that have been established over the past years to make health data FAIR and usable for Swiss research and beyond. On just a few pages, you get insights into this dynamic network that involves not only research but also healthcare. More information and other SPHN publications are available on our project page.
SPHN Factsheet 2023 (PDF)
Publications
03.10.2023
Continuing training credits: checklist update
Continuing education is a statutory requirement for competent medical practice. Compliance with the SAMS guidelines «Collaboration between medical professionals and industry» is one of the criteria established by the Swiss Institute for Medical Postgraduate and Continuing Education (SIWF/ISFM) for the recognition of continuing education sessions. The related checklist has just been updated.
Following the integration of the revised guidelines published in 2022 into the Code of Deontology of the FMH, an important step has been taken with the updating of the checklist for awarding credits for continuing education sessions. The ISFM recommends that medical associations and recognized training institutes follow this checklist. More informatione can be found on the ISFM website (in French or German).
Checklist, French version (DOCX)
Ethics
02.10.2023
New medical report form for the enforcement of removal orders
In 2022, the legal situation changed regarding the disclosure of medical data for the enforcement of removal orders. The form that doctors use for the transmission of medical data has now been adapted. The new form will undergo a pilot phase in the cantons of Solothurn, Thurgau and Vaud starting in October 2023.
In order to avoid medical incidents on deportation flights, an assessment of fitness to travel is carried out beforehand. Doctors treating people affected by a removal order (e.g. those detained pending deportation), are obliged to transmit the necessary medical data for this assessment. The form for the transmission of medical data has been revised and will undergo a pilot phase in three cantons as of today. After completion of the pilot phase, the form is to be introduced nationwide. Both the new form as well as the existing form, which remains in use in the other cantons, can be found on our topic page in the Ethics menu.
Visit the website
SPHN
19.09.2023
Report on the consolidation of SPHN infrastructures
The Swiss Personalized Health Network (SPHN) coordinates the development of infrastructures for the responsible use of health-related data in research throughout Switzerland. Today, a new Academies report is published describing the requirements for a sustainable continuation of the data infrastructures and of the coordination work after the end of the initiative in 2024.
The comprehensive report shows how the continuation of the SPHN Data Coordination Center (SPHN-DCC) can be ensured beyond 2024, including the non-central support structures at the university hospitals and universities. Special attention is paid to the numerous interfaces with partners from research, healthcare and administration. The report, written in English with a summary in French and German, can be downloaded here. More information and other SPHN publications are available on our project page.
Download report (PDF)
Projects
04.09.2023
Innovation Qualité: a prize to promote quality in healthcare
The «Innovation Qualité» Prize of the Swiss Academy for Quality in Medicine (ASQM), a FMH-related organisation, is intended to highlight tried and tested projects, make knowledge in the field more visible and provide innovative impetus for debate among specialists. The SAMS supports this prize.
The diversity of quality initiatives in Switzerland is taken into account with three different categories: Digital Innovation; Patient Safety and «Jury’s Special Prize». The prize money ranges from CHF 10’000 to CHF 15’000. The deadline for entries is 4 December 2023, and the prizes will be awarded on 24 May 2024 in Berne. Further information can be found on the ASQM website (French, German, Italian).
Visit the website
Publications
29.08.2023
Revised guidelines: Living donation of solid organs
In living donation, a healthy person provides an organ for transplantation to help another person (usually relatives). The complex medical-ethical questions that arise in such situations are dealt with in the SAMS guidelines «Living donation of solid organs». The guidelines from 2008 have been revised and are now available as a free download in four languages.
Healthy people can donate certain organs, mostly a kidney, more rarely part of the liver. For the health professionals involved, the clarifications surrounding such a living donation are challenging and medical-ethical guidelines provide guidance. The guidelines published today are based on the current legal framework and take into account various developments in the field of living donation. You can find more information on our topic page in the Ethics menu.
Download the guidelines (PDF)
Publications
22.08.2023
SAMS Bulletin 3/2023: Focus on patients
The third Bulletin of this year is characterized by the view that patients have of the health system and, in particular, of research. Prof. Sebastian Tobler, author of the focus, has been living with paraplegia since his bicycle accident in 2013. He gives us an insight into his very personal research projects and impressively conveys what lies behind supposedly modest successes.
The two patient partners Christine Bienvenu and Jennifer Woods have also turned their illness into a profession. Both are convinced that the human dimension is not sufficiently present in medicine and research. Their double interview will shed light on the possibilities for improvement that they see. As usual, the Bulletin also reports on progress in the Swiss Personalized Health Network (SPHN) and the work in our Ethics and Funding departments.
Bulletin 3/2023, French edition (PDF)
SPHN
11.07.2023
SPHN: Legal framework established for National Data Streams
The Swiss Personalized Health Network and its partner initiative «Personalized Health and Related Technologies» (PHRT) from the ETH Domain have reached a milestone for the National Data Streams (NDS): the establishment of contractual framework conditions between multiple institutions. The contracts clarify the use of sensitive data within the planned research projects and enable their re-use by third parties.
Each of the 4 NDS comprises a multidisciplinary consortium investing in the development of sustainable data infrastructures for personalized health research. Besides generating scientific output, NDS will foremost enable the reuse of curated high-quality datasets. This benefits the next generation of researchers and clinicians and is an added value for Switzerland on its way to the responsible use of sensitive data for research. For more information, please visit the SPHN website.
Visit the website
Funding
05.07.2023
The national MD-PhD program supports 15 medical doctors interested in research
This year, 15 talented young doctors receive a national MD-PhD grant to realize a doctorate in natural sciences, public health, clinical research or biomedical ethics at a Swiss university. Two new foundations have joined the program's funding partners. Grants cover the salaries of the beneficiaries for a total amount of over CHF 2.6 million.
Of the 24 applications preselected by the associated local MD-PhD committees, 15 young researchers have been awarded an individual grant. The synopsis of grantees gives an overview of supported projects. The grants are funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, Swiss Cancer Research, the SAMS, the Théodore Ott Fund, the Zinkernagel Research Foundation and the Monique Dornonville de la Cour Foundation. To ensure the program’s future, the SAMS is actively looking for new partners. More information and the contact person can be found on our website.
Synopsis of grantees (PDF)
Publications
20.06.2023
A Swiss cohort with biobank: why and how?
We live in an era when public health innovations are more likely to contribute to improving our quality of life than medical progress. That's why Switzerland absolutely needs a national cohort with a biobank to underpin its public health research. The focus in the SAMS Bulletin 2/2023 provides an overview of existing Swiss cohort studies and presents a successful model abroad: the UK Biobank.
The conclusion of the focus author Prof. Nicole Probst-Hensch is clear: we need a cohort from Switzerland for Switzerland in order to take evidence-based measures in medicine, administration and politics. Read more about this in the SAMS Bulletin 2/2023. As usual, the Bulletin also reports on our work in the Association of Academies, in the Swiss Personalized Health Network (SPHN) and in our Ethics and Funding departments.
Bulletin 2/2023, French edition (PDF)
SPHN
13.06.2023
The future of SPHN infrastructures beyond 2024
Since 2017, the Swiss Personalized Health Network (SPHN) initiative has been coordinating the development of infrastructures, enabling the responsible use of health data for research. After 2024, the foundations established by SPHN must be permanently integrated into the Swiss research landscape. The mandate for the consolidation and operation of the future SPHN infrastructures and services shall be assigned to the SAMS for the period 2025–2028.
The SAMS and the SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics are jointly responsible for implementing the initiative until the end of 2024. The SIB has been responsible for the technical implementation of the initiative through the Data Coordination Center (SPHN-DCC). The federal ERI Dispatch 2025-2028 recently published for consultation, includes the consolidation of the SPHN-DCC as a national competence and coordination center in the area of health data. SAMS, SIB and SPHN with its partners are delighted about this recognition. More information is available in the newsletter published today.
Further information
Academy
06.06.2023
New members join the SAMS Senate
In its meeting at the beginning of June, the Senate, the highest organ of the SAMS, elected 9 people from various disciplines and institutions as new individual and honorary members. In addition, the Senate will be complemented by a new Corresponding Member abroad.
For their scientific excellence, 6 people were elected as individual members. In addition, 3 people were appointed as honorary members for their outstanding services to the promotion of science, the health system and/or the SAMS. The new corresponding member will be Prof. Pia Wintermark from McGill University, Montreal, Canada. All names of the newly elected can be found in our newsletter of 6 June 2023 (in French).
Further information
Ethics
31.05.2023
Revision of the guidelines for determination of death
The 2022 popular vote for the principle of presumed consent regarding organ donation will lead to an adaptation of the Transplantation Act. This necessitates a revision of the medical-ethical guidelines from 2017.
When a person donates his or her organs after death, a reliable diagnosis of death must be possible. The determination of death is of crucial ethical and legal significance. In terms of how to proceed, the legislator explicitly refers to the SAMS guidelines «Determination of death with regard to organ transplantation and preparations for organ removal». An interprofessional and interdisciplinary subcommittee with broad representation has been appointed to revise the guidelines. Information on the upcoming work and the composition of the subcommittee can be found online.
Further information
Academy
04.05.2023
Five new members for the Swiss Young Academy
The Swiss Young Academy (SYA) brings together young researchers from a wide range of scientific disciplines. It creates an inspiring environment for inter- and transdisciplinary exchange. On 1 May 2023 the Board of Directors of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences elected 5 new members to the SYA.
With this election, the Academies acknowledge the ideas and commitment of these young scientists at the interfaces between science, society and politics. Jointly with the other 34 members, they will be able to implement innovative inter- and transdisciplinary projects over the next years. More information about the SYA and the new members can be found in the media release and on the SYA website.
Visit the website
Academy
20.04.2023
ScienceComm'23: Call for Participation
The Foundation Science et Cité, a member of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences, is organising the twelfth ScienceComm on 2/3 November 2023. The annual congress for science communication understands itself as a platform for professional exchange and networking. The call for participation is open until 18 May 2023.
How should science communication projects be designed to stimulate thought and action? What are examples of successful projects, especially when dealing with complex or difficult topics? Such questions will be discussed at ScienceComm'23. Would you like to make an active contribution to this two-day event? ? All necessary information can be found in the online call for participation (in French or German). Abstracts may also be submitted in English.
Visit the website
Funding
04.04.2023
Relaunch of the Swiss Health Care Atlas
The state of the Swiss health system is a matter of concern: health insurance premiums are rising, as are people’s expectations towards medicine – and the number of people who have chronic illnesses. Can we identify a link between a given service and a region? Are there indicators to examine in order to improve the system? Can services be bundled regionally? The newly launched Swiss Health Care Atlas can provide answers to such questions.
The SAMS promoted health services research in Switzerland for five years. One of the projects supported was the Swiss Atlas of Health Care (2017). In the meantime, the atlas has been updated and expanded: It measures the use of healthcare services in Switzerland with over 100 indicators. Designed as a learning system, the new atlas is to be continuously updated. It thus creates a basis for health services research and can help to plan and manage resources according to needs. Visit the website for further information.
Visit the website
Funding
30.03.2023
Young Talents in Clinical Research: Call 2023
With the Young Talents in Clinical Research program, the Gottfried and Julia Bangerter-Rhyner Foundation and the SAMS encourage young medical doctors to start out in clinical research. For 2023, CHF 1 million is made available to finance protected research time and project grants for a consecutive research project. The submission deadline is 30 June 2023.
The YTCR program comprises two funding instruments: beginner grants and project grants. Its target audience are residents who wish to be freed from clinical duty to gain first experience in clinical research. Applications must be written in English and registered online. More information on the participation criteria, submission and evaluation procedure can be found in the program regulations, on our website, and in the FAQ.
Download the flyer (PDF)
Funding
29.03.2023
National MD-PhD Grants Program: changes as of 2025
The national MD-PhD Grants Program enables young doctors interested in research to obtain the skills necessary for a career as clinician and scientist. The SNSF, co-founder of the program with the SAMS, will withdraw its support as of 2025 – a decision that the SAMS strongly regrets. Convinced of the added value of this funding instrument, the Academy is exploring ways to ensure the continuation of the program.
The MD-PhD grants contribute to motivate particularly talented physicians to complete a doctoral research training in natural sciences, public health sciences, clinical research or biomedical ethics. The SAMS is convinced that these profiles, capable of bridging the gap between research and clinical practice, are essential to deal with the growing complexity of medicine. As the SAMS has no budget to replace the SNSF contributions as of 2025, it has started to approach potential partners to avoid the program being discontinued with the withdrawal of the SNSF. More information can be found on our website.
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Ethics
23.03.2023
Making advance care planning commonplace
Advance care planning (ACP) strengthens self-determination, for example with regard to treatment after a serious accident, advanced illness or dementia. ACP should be possible for everyone. A national working group co-led by the SAMS and the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) has published a roadmap with 12 recommendations to establish ACP in everyday life.
Although ACP is voluntary, the importance of the topic was reflected in the more than 170 comments received during the public consultation that preceded the publication of the roadmap. The 12 recommendations address four topics: awareness raising, basic information, the role of professionals and improving the quality of instruments and processes. The roadmap is available online in four languages (d/f/i/e). Our website also offers in-depth information on the topic and on the future activities of the national working group.
Download the roadmap (PDF)
Academy
21.03.2023
SAMS Annual Report 2022 is online
The year 2022 marked the end of the acute phase of the coronavirus disease pandemic, but also the beginning of reflections on several forward-looking topics. The SAMS has once again devoted itself to projects that will keep our team busy well beyond the year covered by our annual report, which thus offers a look back and a look forward.
Our online annual report is again structured around the retrospective. It provides an overview of the work carried out last year and serves as a gateway to further information. As usual, a printable PDF version is also available. We hope you will enjoy (re)discovering the highlights of 2022, which reflect our commitment to science, medicine and society – and which will continue to occupy us directly or indirectly in the future.
Download the report (in French) (PDF)
Publications
16.03.2023
Medicine of the future: the potential of new technologies
The Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW), sister academy of the SAMS, publishes a Technology Outlook report every two years, which identifies future technologies and evaluates their importance for Switzerland. In our current Bulletin, the floor is given to its President, Prof. Benoît Dubuis, who presents the technologies that have already begun to transform or could revolutionize medicine.
The new SAMS Bulletin not only looks at mRNA technology, artificial intelligence or virtual reality, but also, as always, at the people who are shaping our medicine: Young Talents in Clinical Research, a delegation from the British Academy of Medical Sciences or the winners of the Robert Bing Prize 2022, you will find faces and stories that shed light on the day-to-day work and progress of our projects. The Bulletin is available in French or German.
Bulletin 1/2023 (in French) (PDF)
Academy
28.02.2023
Training course for patients willing to be involved in clinical research
The Department of Clinical Research of the University of Basel and EUPATI CH – the Swiss platform of the European Patient's Academy on Therapeutic Innovation – are launching a training course for patients who wish to become involved in clinical research projects. The SAMS supports this course which will start in May 2023. The 6 modules can also be attended individually, as long as the complete training is not fully booked.
Findings from research are particularly valuable when they address the specific needs of patients. This is best achieved when those affected, or people close to them, are already involved in the planning and design of new research projects. The University of Basel and EUPATI CH have developed a course that prepares interested people for this task. Further information and the link to register can be found in the flyer and on the EUPATI website.
Download the flyer (PDF)
Academy
16.02.2023
Cooperation with France: «Germaine de Staël» programme
On behalf of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW) is launching a call for the federal programme «Germaine de Staël» to promote scientific collaboration between Switzerland and France. The programme is open to all research disciplines. Applications for the funding period 2024–2025 are possible until 15 June 2023.
The «Germaine de Staël» programme promotes collaboration between French and Swiss researchers by providing funding for travel and accommodation expenses incurred by team members as part of attending meetings or conferences. The cost ceiling per project is around CHF 4500 per year, renewable once. More information and the application form can be found on the SATW website.
Visit the website
Funding
02.02.2023
Call for proposals: KZS Seed Grants for junior researchers in biomedical ethics
This year the SAMS provides a total of CHF 250’000 from the Käthe-Zingg-Schwichtenberg (KZS) Fund to support junior researchers in biomedical ethics who wish to carry out an independent research project. The submission of deadline is 1 May 2023.
Per Seed Grant, up to CHF 80'000 can be awarded for a maximum period of 18 months. The contributions allow grantees to explore an innovative research idea, to realize a small, independent pilot project, and/or to prepare their own project proposal to be submitted to a larger funding agency. Visit our website for more information on the format and submission procedure.
Visit the website
Funding
20.01.2023
Foundations for a «smart» health care system
For five years, the Swiss National Science Foundation has funded the National Research Programme «Smarter Health Care» (NRP 74). In the 34 projects researchers addressed a broad array of topics, from case management to interlinking of health data. The programme summary provides recommendations on how health care in Switzerland can be adapted to the challenges of both the present and the future.
To strengthen health services research in Switzerland, the SAMS and the Gottfried and Julia Bangerter-Rhyner-Stiftung conducted a joint funding programme from 2012 to 2016. This was the decisive step towards Switzerland becoming aware of the topic of health services research and the launch of NRP 74. The findings gained and the recommendations can be found in the programme summary and on the NRP-website.
Programme summary (PDF)
Funding
17.01.2023
The Robert Bing Prize goes to three remarkable neuroscientists
The Robert Bing Prize 2022 goes to three remarkable clinical and experimental neuroscientists: Cristina Granziera and Mira Katan Kahles, Professors of Neurology at the University Hospital in Basel, and Johannes Gräff, Professor at EPFL. Each prize is worth CHF 20’000.
Every two years, the SAMS bestows the Robert Bing Prize. In accordance with the donor’s will, the Prize is awarded to researchers who have done outstanding work to improve the recognition, treatment and cure of neurological diseases. The award ceremony will take place on 1 June 2023. Further information about the laureates and the Prize can be found in the media release published today and on our website.
Media release (PDF)
Projects
06.01.2023
Understanding and empowering health professionals and informal caregivers
Giving a voice to health professionals and informal caregivers is the ambition of the SCOHPICA project: Swiss COhort of Healthcare Professionals and Informal CAregivers. The creation of this national cohort will allow a better understanding of the needs of these two supporting pillars of our healthcare system. Registration for the first project phase is open until 31 January 2023.
«Unisanté Lausanne» and «Institut et Haute Ecole de la Santé La Source» are joining forces to better understand the individual careers of healthcare professionals and informal caregivers and to identify possible causes of dissatisfaction or premature departure from the profession. In view of demographic developments, it is essential to make the best possible use of these resources. The SAMS supports this project as part of its commitment to a sustainable healthcare system.
Visit the website
Projects
03.01.2023
The Medbase Group is a new partner of smarter medicine
The association «smarter medicine – Choosing Wisely Switzerland», of which the SAMS is a member, aims to prevent unnecessary medical treatment. Since 1 January 2023, the Medbase Group has been a partner of smarter medicine. This means that another outpatient service provider is committed to quality healthcare that aims to avoid excessive or inappropriate medical treatment.
Around 3200 Medbase employees provide comprehensive care for their patients – from prevention to acute medicine and rehabilitation. The group has declared the implementation of smarter medicine to be a company-wide quality objective. Specialists should meet patients at eye level and decide together on the optimal, not maximum, medical treatment. You can find a wide range of free information material and other documents on the smarter medicine website (in German or in French).
Media release in French (PDF)