Strategic Plan 2029–2032
For the period 2029–2032, the ETH Domain aims to serve Switzerland effectively by advancing science, providing high-quality education and scientific services, and promoting innovation and knowledge and technology transfer; it also aims to remain highly competitive internationally.
Geopolitical instability, technological changes, the rapid development of AI and evolving patterns of work and learning are disrupting established academic routines and incentives. In this environment, the ETH Domain must be able to set priorities in a timely manner without compromising its high standards. For the period 2029–2032, the ETH Board identifies six system-level challenges that the ETH Domain will face in the coming years, and which will have a profound impact on Switzerland and its ERI (Education, Research and innovation) system as well. These challenges highlight the systemic, societal and geopolitical conditions shaping the ETH Domain’s operating environment.
- Taking Strategic Decisions in an Uncertain and Rapidly Changing World
- Preparing Future Talent: Adapting Higher Education to Societal Needs
- Ensuring Academic Freedom
- Conducting Research in a Complex Geopolitical Landscape
- Accelerating Translation of Research and Innovation towards Application
- Building Bridges and Ensuring Inclusion
Strategy 2029–2032
The strategic approach for 2029–2032 is based on the following components:
- (A) the specific Strategic Areas and Transversal Areas identified by the ETH Board for the period 2029–2032,
- (B) the tasks for which the institutions are responsible in fulfilling the mandate conferred on the ETH Domain by the ETH Act and the strategic objectives of the Federal Council, and
- (C) the long-term organisational development of the ETH Domain.
A. Strategic Areas and Transversal Areas
For 2029–2032, the ETH Board identifies five Strategic Areas and three Transversal Areas, where the institutions of the ETH Domain can have a strong impact individually and through collaboration.
The Strategic Areas and the Transversal Areas are interconnected and synergistic, with several fields overlapping across multiple areas. They are implemented through coordinated efforts by the institutions of the ETH Domain.
Strategic Areas
Strategic Areas are defined as areas with a thematic focus of high societal importance in which the ETH Domain can deliver substantial scientific and technological impact. Strategic Areas aim to contribute directly to tackling major global and national challenges, through education, research and innovation efforts.
The five Strategic Areas of the ETH Domain 2029–2032 build on the previous Strategic Areas and are:
Human Health
Energy
Climate and Environmental Sustainability
AI and Digital Transformation
Emerging Materials and Key Technologies
Transversal Areas
Transversal Areas are cross-cutting priorities of strategic relevance that span all Strategic Areas. They are of systemic importance, either by acting as cornerstones or enablers of the Strategic Areas or as cross-cutting responsibilities integrated within them.
The three Transversal Areas of the ETH Domain 2029–2032 are:
Fundamental Science
Dialogue with Society
Security, Sovereignty and Resilience
Fundamental Science, grounded in academic freedom, forms the foundation of all ETH Domain activities and underpins the five Strategic Areas. Dialogue with Society is essential for achieving impact, and each Strategic Area contributes to Security, Sovereignty and Resilience.
B. Fulfilment of the mandate assigned to the ETH Domain
The institutions of the ETH Domain perform their manifold tasks according to the mandate conferred on them by the ETH Act and the strategic objectives of the Federal Council. For the period 2029–2032, the ETH Board sets the following objectives for each of these tasks:
The ETH Domain strategically contributes to Switzerland’s long-term competitiveness by prioritising high-quality, research-based education and by training highly qualified graduates. ETH Zurich and EPFL, with the support of the research institutes, continue to develop and implement measures to safeguard the quality of education in the long term, taking into account the projected number of students.
The institutions of the ETH Domain consider advances in science and engineering, as well as the needs of society and the economy, together with the evolving expectations and motivations of future generations, when they develop their education and continuing education offers. They provide inspiring learning environments that enable students to succeed in their studies and equip them to help actively and responsibly shape the future of Switzerland and of society in general.
The ETH Domain continues to conduct research at the highest, internationally competitive level, strengthening Switzerland’s innovative capacity. The ETH Domain institutions aim to positively impact society through their pioneering research activities, and to contribute to resolving the most pressing local, national and global challenges.
They ensure and nurture national and international collaboration and cooperation, taking into account evolving geopolitical contexts. The ETH Domain institutions actively shape and promote good practices in research, including research integrity, knowledge security and Open Science.
The ETH Domain conceptualises, develops and operates a portfolio of large-scale and middle-scale research infrastructures and platforms that offer unique resources and services for academic research communities and industry users. The ETH Domain’s large-scale research infrastructures play a major role in the country’s international reputation.
The ETH Domain aims to further strengthen this role by strategically fostering investments in areas where its institutions are well positioned to make a significant contribution, and to ensure the long-term relevance of research infrastructures and benefits for Switzerland.
The ETH Domain institutions actively contribute to Switzerland’s innovation capacity by accelerating the uptake of research results into technologies, practice and policy-making, and collaborate with industry and public partners to that end. They ensure that their students acquire the skills required to become important actors of knowledge and know-how transfer between academia and society, and foster entrepreneurship among their members. Dialogue with society continues to be central to knowledge and technology transfer activities and a key aspect for achieving a positive and broader societal impact.
The ETH Domain institutions strive to attract and retain talented and dedicated employees and to enable them to play a key role in the institutions’ development and success. They provide an inspiring, inclusive and respectful environment for all their employees and students and recognise openness and diversity as key to excellence and creativity in education, research and all other activities.
They encourage employees to embrace new forms of work and technological develop–ments. The ETH Domain institutions continue their efforts to increase the proportion of women among their members, particularly in professorial and other leadership positions.
The ETH Domain maintains and develops its real estate portfolio in order to offer the best conditions for education, research and innovation. The institutions anticipate and plan future infrastructure demands over the long term, taking into account new forms of work and education needs and formats, as well as the projected number of students.
Efforts focus on the functionality (including accessibility), cost-effectiveness and sustainability of existing and new buildings, and on maintaining their value and function. The ETH Domain aims to act as a role model in terms of sustainability, with a complete fulfilment of objectives depending on the availability of the necessary resources.
The ETH Domain institutions require a solid financial base and are committed to strategic, responsible and forward-looking financial management that safeguards long-term stability. Federal funding remains the backbone of financing the ETH Domain and ensures planning security. It is balanced with complementary resources while pursuing a selective and targeted funding diversification strategy and focused reserves management.
When allocating federal funds, the ETH Board considers each institution’s tasks, strategic requirements and performance. In view of the intensifying competition for public funds and limited resources, the ETH Board, together with the institutions, takes well-founded strategic decisions regarding prioritisation and posteriorisation, and aims to enhance effectiveness and cost efficiency in all activities.
C. Organisational Development of the ETH Domain
To respond effectively to emerging challenges such as climate change, energy, AI and cybersecurity, the ETH Domain must evolve its organisational structure to enhance agility, cooperation and resilience. Launched in summer 2022, the “FIT for the Future” project progressed through various stages, such as establishing a situation analysis and conducting a targeted portfolio analysis.
The central aim of this project is to reinforce the mission-oriented approach by aligning the research institutes into a third strong strategic pillar, complementing ETH Zurich and EPFL. This structure is intended to improve joint strategic developments, among other goals.