Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) will continue to fund SIB’s core activities over the next four years as a National Research Infrastructure, at the same level as for 2021-2024. SERI’s longstanding support since 2000 reflects the essential value of SIB and biodata to global research and innovation. More ambitious and sustainable funding models are nevertheless necessary to meet ever-growing needs in biodata resources, to make the most of the increasing digitalization of biology and health.
SERI is the Swiss federal authority responsible for preparing and implementing federal education, research and innovation (ERI) policy. As part of its work to ensure Switzerland remains among the world’s top countries in the ERI sector, SERI provides subsidies to research infrastructures of national importance such as SIB. This support comes through article 15 of the Federal Act on the Promotion of Research and Innovation (RIPA/LERI/FIFG).
Continued provision of essential bioinformatics resources and services
SERI’s renewed funding provides a solid foundation for maintaining and further developing SIB’s state-of-the-art bioinformatics infrastructure, which accelerates life science research and innovation in Switzerland and globally. The federal subsidy of CHF 46.5 million for the 2025-2028 financial period will cover around 48% of our annual budget.
SERI is the Swiss federal authority responsible for preparing and implementing federal education, research and innovation (ERI) policy. As part of its work to ensure Switzerland remains among the world’s top countries in the ERI sector, SERI provides subsidies to research infrastructures of national importance such as SIB. This support comes through article 15 of the Federal Act on the Promotion of Research and Innovation (RIPA/LERI/FIFG).
As in previous years, the bulk of the renewed funding will be allocated to co-develop SIB’s portfolio of biodata resources, the so-called SIB Resources. These open databases, knowledgebases and software platforms are used by over 10 million users each year as fundamental tools to manage, analyse and interpret biological and biomedical data – with applications ranging from drug development and pandemic preparedness to evolutionary and biodiversity studies. The designation of three new SIB Resources in 2025 further cements the institute as an essential partner for the life science community.
In a context where federal finances are under significant pressure, SERI’s decision recognizes the value of SIB for Switzerland.
Exceptional return on investment and impact
SERI’s continuous support since 2000 has enabled SIB to become a leading research infrastructure that helps keep Switzerland at the forefront of life science research, innovation and economic competitiveness. For example:
- SIB Resources advance both science and R&D, as indicated by their citation in over 17,000 scientific publications and 9,000 patents in 2023 alone;
- with over 10 million yearly users, these resources – as well as our international partnerships and bioinformatics training services – boost Switzerland’s visibility and reputation, strengthen the country’s attractiveness for top scientists and international funding, and reinforce its integration with the rest of Europe and the world.
Discover all SIB contributions to Switzerland
Increased funding needed to meet fast-growing biodata demands
SERI represents SIB’s largest and most stable source of funding, and SIB received the largest subsidy of the 16 research infrastructures of national importance supported by RIPA/LERI/FIFG article 15 (see box above) for 2025-2028.
Nevertheless, the flat funding falls short of that required to meet future demands and ambitions. This challenge is exacerbated by recent inflation and a high Swiss franc affecting international grants, both of which impact SIB’s total funding in real terms.
As a result, our teams and activities face ongoing constraints – even as high-quality biodata become ever-more important drivers of research and innovation, and our resources and expertise are ever-more recognized and relied on. As one example SwissDrugDesign, developed by our Molecular Modelling group at the University of Lausanne to support computer-aided drug discovery, saw its usage increase by over 40% in 2024 to 5 million annual user requests.
In the coming years, a more ambitious investment plan by the confederation is needed to secure and develop the essential life science research infrastructure that SIB is providing to the Swiss and international community. This will in turn maximize our continued contribution to Switzerland's competitiveness and reputation, and further enable researchers, clinicians and companies to accelerate knowledge and find solutions for health, environmental and other critical challenges.
