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The YTCR program comprises two instruments: «beginner grants» provide protected time for research, while «project grants» finance a consecutive research project to broaden and consolidate the expertise acquired during the «beginner grant». This year, 14 «beginner grants» and one «project grant» were awarded. The next call for applications will be launched in spring 2025, with a submission deadline on 30 June 2025. For more information about the program and the list of grantees, please visit our website.

The objective of the call was to support junior researchers in obtaining independent research experience, facilitating the transition to the next step of their academic career. Before the next call for proposals is launched, the SAMS will conduct a survey among previous recipients of the KZS Fund in order to evaluate the added value of the instrument. Results will be communicated via newsletter and on our website.

The Prize, bestowed every two years by the SAMS, originates from a generous bequest of Basel neurologist Robert Bing (1878–1956). In accordance with the donor’s will, the Prize is awarded to researchers who have done outstanding work to improve the recognition, treatment or cure of neurological diseases. Read the impressive short biographies of the three laureates in our media release published today. More information about the Bing Prize can be found on our website.

The Jury was particularly impressed by Prof. Filipowicz Sinnreich’s career path, which combines cutting-edge clinical medicine with outstanding basic research. The award winner also acts as a mentor for the next generation of scientists. Despite her demanding professional commitments, she sets an remarkable example in balancing family life and career. Find out more about the reasons for this choice and Prof. Filipowicz Sinnreich’s career path in our press release.

The data collected for this study confirms that the National MD-PhD Program remarkably promotes promising physicians who remain active in both research and clinical practice in the long term. Eight years or more after completing the MD-PhD – when most have a stable position – 55% are working in a paid research position, 64% continue their scientific activity in a university hospital and 25% hold a professorship. The complete study and two complementary «Viewpoints» can be found online on Swiss Medical Weekly (Volume 154, No. 7).

This year’s grants amount to a total of CHF 2.4 million and cover the salaries of 13 young researchers. Details are given in the synopsis below. We conducted a survey of former MD-PhD grantees to assess whether the national MD-PhD program is reaching its goals and paving the way for a career as physician-scientist. The data collected suggest that this is indeed the case. The link to the full study and information on the future of the national program can be found on our website.

The YTCR program comprises two funding instruments: beginner grants and project grants. Its target audience are residents who wish to be freed from clinical duty to gain a first experience in clinical research. Applications must be written in English and registered online. More information on the participation criteria, submission and evaluation procedure can be found in the program regulations, on our website, and in the FAQ.

Per Seed Grant, up to CHF 80’000 can be awarded for a maximum period of 18 months. The contributions allow grantees to explore an innovative research idea, to realize a small, independent pilot project, and/or to prepare their own project proposal to be submitted to a larger funding agency. Visit our website for more information on the participation requirements and submission procedure.

With the Stern-Gattiker Prize, the SAMS rewards every two years a female medical scientist who has obtained her postdoctoral qualification within the past ten years, holds a permanent position in a hospital, and who, in her own way, is considered as a role model. The proximity to the next generation of doctors and the commitment to gender equality are a plus. Detailed information on the nomination process and the synopsis all previous prizes winners can be found on our website.

During the seventh call for proposals, the SAMS evaluation committee proposed to support 13 promising young clinician scientists. The Bangerter Foundation approved the awards for a total of CHF 960’022. The Foundation has moreover committed to funding the program for four more years with CHF 1 million per year. The grantees and supported projects are listed in the synopsis below (pdf). The next YTCR call will be launched by the end of March 2024.

KZS Seed Grants allow grantees to explore an innovative research idea, to realize a small, independent pilot project and/or to prepare their own project proposal to be submitted to a larger funding agency. The synopsis (pdf) provides an overview of all KZS grants to date. Further information can be found on our website.

In accordance with the donor’s will, the Robert Bing Prize is awarded primarily to young (up to 45 years old) neuroscientists with the Swiss nationality or who have been working in Switzerland for a significant amount of time. The prize is awarded with a prize money of CHF 50’000 for a single laureate or CHF 30’000 each if two laureates are distinguished simultaneously. All information about the Prize, the format and the submission of nominations can be found on our website.

Of the 24 applications preselected by the associated local MD-PhD committees, 15 young researchers have been awarded an individual grant. The synopsis of grantees gives an overview of supported projects. The grants are funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, Swiss Cancer Research, the SAMS, the Théodore Ott Fund, the Zinkernagel Research Foundation and the Monique Dornonville de la Cour Foundation. To ensure the program’s future, the SAMS is actively looking for new partners. More information and the contact person can be found on our website.

The SAMS promoted health services research in Switzerland for five years. One of the projects supported was the Swiss Atlas of Health Care (2017). In the meantime, the atlas has been updated and expanded: It measures the use of healthcare services in Switzerland with over 100 indicators. Designed as a learning system, the new atlas is to be continuously updated. It thus creates a basis for health services research and can help to plan and manage resources according to needs. Visit the website for further information.

The YTCR program comprises two funding instruments: beginner grants and project grants. Its target audience are residents who wish to be freed from clinical duty to gain first experience in clinical research. Applications must be written in English and registered online. More information on the participation criteria, submission and evaluation procedure can be found in the program regulations, on our website, and in the FAQ.

The MD-PhD grants contribute to motivate particularly talented physicians to complete a doctoral research training in natural sciences, public health sciences, clinical research or biomedical ethics. The SAMS is convinced that these profiles, capable of bridging the gap between research and clinical practice, are essential to deal with the growing complexity of medicine. As the SAMS has no budget to replace the SNSF contributions as of 2025, it has started to approach potential partners to avoid the program being discontinued with the withdrawal of the SNSF. More information can be found on our website.

Per Seed Grant, up to CHF 80'000 can be awarded for a maximum period of 18 months. The contributions allow grantees to explore an innovative research idea, to realize a small, independent pilot project, and/or to prepare their own project proposal to be submitted to a larger funding agency. Visit our website for more information on the format and submission procedure.

To strengthen health services research in Switzerland, the SAMS and the Gottfried and Julia Bangerter-Rhyner-Stiftung conducted a joint funding programme from 2012 to 2016. This was the decisive step towards Switzerland becoming aware of the topic of health services research and the launch of NRP 74. The findings gained and the recommendations can be found in the programme summary and on the NRP-website.

Every two years, the SAMS bestows the Robert Bing Prize. In accordance with the donor’s will, the Prize is awarded to researchers who have done outstanding work to improve the recognition, treatment and cure of neurological diseases. The award ceremony will take place on 1 June 2023. Further information about the laureates and the Prize can be found in the media release published today and on our website.