Before the creation of the SNSF, each canton had been responsible for funding research at its own institutes and universities. This was characteristic of Switzerland's federal system; however, the limitations of the cantonal budgets meant that scientists in many fields were getting a raw deal.

A committee set up by Dr. Alexander von Muralt - then president of the Swiss Society of Natural Sciences - campaigned ardently for federal funding of research in all academic fields. Their efforts were eventually rewarded in 1952 when parliament approved the proposal to establish the Science Foundation. Now, two councils made up of 65 scientists would decide on a national level which research projects would be funded. Parliament granted them millions of Swiss francs - 4 million in 1952 and 377 million in 2001 - to distribute per year. Outside institutions also donated generously to the fund. The founding of the SNSF was, of course, a triumph at the time, but even today the organization faces many challenges.

Threats to Swiss researchers

On leaving office in 1968 Muralt, who had become the first chairman of the SNSF Research Council, said that its goal should be to ensure that Switzerland maintain its high-profile position "in the great orchestra of scientific research."

That has been an increasingly difficult position to maintain. Many young, talented Swiss minds are drawn to the larger research grants and greater freedom and flexibility other countries are willing to give them. In particular, they flock to the United States, where the career prospects for scientists are currently better than in Switzerland. Whereas in the US universities are putting more and more money into research grants, academic research in Switzerland has hardly seen any funding increase in recent years.