FIT for the Future: the organisational development of the ETH Domain

The FIT for the Future project is now in its second phase – the design phase – that mainly involves fleshing out the specifics of the project. The ETH Board is seeking to achieve closer cooperation and enhanced coordination in the ETH Domain. In future, the ETH Domain is expected to consist of three strong strategic 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 jointly agreed on objectives for a future-proof organisation and structure in the ETH Domain. On this basis, they developed two model versions for the implementation of these objectives. The two versions differ mainly in the degree to which the four research institutes are integrated.

In the proposal with the working title “Swiss National Labs”, the research institutes retain their legal personalities. By contrast, in the version with the working title “Swiss National Lab”, the four research institutes are merged into a single legal entity. In both versions, the research institutes acquire a new collective image under one roof, retaining their names, logos/brands and locations.

The ETH Board discussed the two versions at its meeting of 4/5 March 2026 and decided to put both forward for internal consultation within the ETH Domain. This will begin after the ETH Board meeting and continue until the start of June. The ETH Board will evaluate the feedback and take it into account before making a decision on the next steps, probably in the second half of the year.

The ETH Board is continuing to hold talks with various stakeholders. In addition to political bodies, these include partner organisations of the research institutes and both ETH, industry federations, the cantons in which the sites are located, and public authorities. Before the ETH Board reaches a decision on which solution it wishes to propose to the Federal Council for implementation, it will conduct a consultation within the ETH Domain as well as with the federal offices. If, in addition to new ways of cooperating, a decision in favour of structural adaptation is also reached, the ETH Board will propose that the Federal Council launches a legislative process to this effect, with the Swiss Parliament having the final word.