Two options for the future organisation of the ETH Domain
The institutions of the ETH Domain will be able to express their views on two options for the future organisation of the ETH Domain. This was decided by the ETH Board at its meeting of 4/5 March 2026. The corresponding consultation in the ETH Domain opened on 9 March.
The ETH Board is seeking to achieve closer cooperation and enhanced coordination in the ETH Domain with the aim of exploiting synergies in a targeted way and avoiding administrative obstacles. In future, the ETH Domain is expected to consist of three strong pillars: ETH Zurich, EPFL, and the four research institutes under one roof.
At the beginning of 2024, the ETH Board and the institutions of the ETH Domain defined comprehensive objectives for a future-proof organisation and structure in the ETH Domain. On this basis, they developed two different options for the implementation of these objectives which differ mainly in the degree to which the four research institutes are integrated. The ETH Board discussed these two options at its meeting of 4/5 March 2026 and decided to put both forward for consultation within the ETH Domain.
Overview of the two options
In the proposal with the working title “Swiss National Labs” (SNLs), the research institutes retain their legal personalities. The option with the working title “Swiss National Lab” (SNL) differs in that they are merged into a single legal entity. In both cases, the research institutes continue to use their present names, logos and sites. Additionally, they acquire a new collective image under a joint name that operates as an umbrella brand.
Swiss National Labs (SNLs)
The four research institutes
- retain their current research organisations and legal personalities (four legal entities);
- retain their brands and acquire a joint name that would operate as an umbrella brand (working title: Swiss National Labs, SNLs);
- form a board of directors, in which their directors each have a seat, in order to decide on strategic developments and joint activities and services;
- gradually merge their support units where standardisation promises efficiency and quality gains;
- jointly establish binding strategic development planning and the implementation of joint, theme-oriented programmes.
Swiss National Lab (SNL)
The four research institutes
- come under a shared roof (single legal personality), while retaining their current research organisations;
- retain their current brands (names and logos); the shared roof is given a name that operates as an umbrella brand (working title: Swiss National Lab, SNL);
- are headed by a president. The directors of the four research institutes are members of the SNL executive board. The support units are also represented on it;
- are supplemented by a fifth unit dedicated to digitalisation (Big Data, AI, cybersecurity etc.);
- gradually merge their support units;
- establish shared, binding, strategic development planning and the implementation of joint, theme-oriented programmes.
Next steps
On 9 March 2026, the ETH Board opened a consultation within the ETH Domain on these two options. This lasts until the beginning of June. The ETH Board will also hold discussions with various stakeholders such as cantons, industry associations and the federal administration. After evaluating the feedback, it is expected to decide on the next steps during the second half of the year.