The Swiss Science Council submits statement on planned abolition – Independent advice must not be weakened
Bern, 12.03.2026 — The Swiss Science Council SSC has submitted its statement as part of the consultation process on the reorganisation of extra-parliamentary commissions. In it, it firmly rejects the Federal Council's proposal to abolish the SSC.
The SSC considers the reasons for abolition given in the explanatory report to be unconvincing. In its view, dissolving the Council would weaken independent strategic advice on education, research and innovation policy without achieving any savings.
As an extra-parliamentary commission, the SSC advises the Federal Council on matters of education, research and innovation policy. It consists of a maximum of 15 proven and internationally renowned experts from various disciplines and brings a long-term, systemic and independent perspective to political decision-making. It also carries out evaluations on behalf of the federal government.
In its statement, the SSC draws particular attention to the following points:
- In an increasingly complex international environment, there is a growing need for independent, interdisciplinary and long-term policy advice.
- The militia nature of the Council enables highly qualified expertise to be provided at comparatively low cost. Outsourcing such services to private providers would lead to significant additional costs.
- The SSC has many years of experience in evaluating key players and instruments in the ERI system and contributes to methodological diversity and quality assurance.
- Thanks to its independent and long-term perspective, the SSC identifies relevant developments at an early stage and enables timely strategic decisions to be made in the education, research and innovation system.
- Abolishing the Council would contradict previous feedback from politicians and administrators, who have repeatedly confirmed the independence and quality of its work.
Independent science policy advice is a central element of an effective education, research and innovation system. Abolishing the Council would weaken this independent perspective without creating any discernible added value.
The SSC is constantly developing its working methods and adapting them to new requirements. It is always ready to engage in dialogue with politicians and administrators to discuss and implement constructive proposals for the appropriate further development of its role.
In light of the comments received, it requests that the Federal Council refrain from abolishing the SSC as proposed.