Swissnex is the Swiss global network connecting Switzerland and the world in education, research and innovation.
Our mission is to support our partner’s outreach and active engagement in the international exchange of knowledge, ideas and talent. The six main Swissnex locations are established in the world’s most innovative regions. Together with around 20 Science Offices and Counselors based in Swiss embassies, we contribute to strengthen Switzerland’s profile as a world-leading hotspot of innovation. Our core values are:
Connecting its partners to thriving innovation ecosystems worldwide
Advising on trends and opportunities in science, education and innovation
Promoting the visibility of Swiss higher education and research institutions, startups and other innovation-driven partner organizations
Inspiring new ideas by promoting knowledge exchange
The Federal Act on the Promotion of Research and Innovation and the Federal Act on International Cooperation in Education, Professional Education and Training, Youth Affairs and Mobility provide the legal basis for Swissnex activities. Swissnex is an initiative of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation and is part of the Confederation’s network abroad managed by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. The Swissnex activities are based on a collaborative approach, relying on public and private partnerships and funding.
The organizational and business models of Swissnex sites has evolved gradually since the network's foundation. The Swissnex model itself is based on the following four principles.
Swissnex locations are established in leading innovation hubs and emerging markets, based on Switzerland’s International ERI Strategy, stakeholder priorities, and sectoral policies. Final decisions reflect both strategic relevance and concrete demand from partners.
The network operates on a partnership-driven funding model, relying on public–private collaboration. Each location is responsible for acquiring partners, with at least two-thirds of activity costs covered by partner contributions (cash or in-kind). Partners include higher education institutions, research organizations, federal/cantonal offices, start-ups, companies, foundations, associations and think tanks.
Swissnex combines decentralized governance with strong cross-location collaboration. Locally embedded teams operate entrepreneurially, while coordinating on strategy, services, fundraising, and resource management. This structure is reinforced by a distinctive organizational culture characterized by ownership, interdisciplinary expertise, openness to experimentation, and continuous knowledge exchange across the network.
Swissnex’s effectiveness relies on a distinctive culture shaped by its global presence, interdisciplinary teams, and mandate to connect Switzerland with the world of science, education, innovation, and the arts. This culture allows Swissnex to remain agile, impactful, and future-oriented—qualities highlighted repeatedly in external evaluations of the network.
The Swissnex Committee advises the State Secretary on strategic issues relevant to Swissnex. It comprises ten high-ranking representatives from the most important ERI institutions (Swiss National Science Foundation SNSF, Innosuisse, swissuniversities), the foundations sector, and the public and private sectors. The FDFA’s Directorate for Resources and SERI (International Relations) are also ex officio members of the Swissnex Committee. The Swissnex Committee members are:
Christine Bulliard-Marbach, National Council, Swiss Parliament
David Grichting, Head of Directorate for Resources, FDFA (ex officio)
Torsten Schwede, President of the National Research Council, SNSF (ex officio)
Luciana Vaccaro, President swissuniversities (ex officio)
Michael Hengartner, President ETH Board
Pascal Marmier, Secretary General, The Economy of Trust Foundation
Bettina Hein, Founder, juli
Jacques Ducrest, Head of International Relations, SERI
André Kudelski, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Kudelski SA, and President of the Innosuisse Board (ex officio)
Pascale Vonmont, CEO Gebert Rüf Stiftung and member of the Swiss Foundations Board
In the years following the Second World War, many states saw the United States as a model for the promotion of research and development of new technologies. In light of the above, the first science attaché was hired at the initiative of the Swiss ambassador in Washington in 1958.
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