Adjust the financing of ETH and EPFL to Swiss economic growth.

ETH and EPFL are the backbone of our innovation. But their financing does not keep pace with the growth of student numbers and the economy. The initiative calls for a stable financial foundation that grows dynamically with the development of Switzerland.

Problem

• The number of students at ETH and EPFL has massively increased over 20 years, wh…: The number of students at ETH and EPFL has massively increased over 20 years, while federal contributions have stagnated when adjusted for inflation. This underfunding leads to overcrowded lecture hal…
• Despite the economic slowdown, the shortage of engineers and technicians remains…: Despite the economic slowdown, the shortage of engineers and technicians remains at a record level (rank 3 in the skilled labor shortage index 2025). By 2033, 54,000 specialists will be missing in ICT…
• The current BFI message foresees real cuts adjusted for inflation. This forces u…: The current BFI message foresees real cuts adjusted for inflation. This forces universities to take drastic measures such as dismantling entire research branches. This is poison for the long-term plan…
• Every franc invested in ETH and EPFL generates five francs of value creation for…: Every franc invested in ETH and EPFL generates five francs of value creation for Switzerland. Savings measures in this area are economically nonsensical: We save on education today and lose many times…
• More and more foreign students are studying at ETH and EPFL. We finance their ed…: More and more foreign students are studying at ETH and EPFL. We finance their education, and the know‑how partly flows abroad (e.g., China). The tuition fee should be adjusted in accordance with the e…

Solution

• To secure the relevance of universities for prosperity, the federal contribution…: To secure the relevance of universities for prosperity, the federal contribution will be legally linked to the real gross domestic product (GDP). If the Swiss economy grows, the funds for research and…
• Funding follows the students: The initiative introduces a dynamic budget based o…: Funding follows the students: The initiative introduces a dynamic budget based on the number of enrolled persons. This ensures that the quality of teaching and the supervision ratio remain stable desp…
• Federal contributions will be mandatorily adjusted to inflation (national consum…: Federal contributions will be mandatorily adjusted to inflation (national consumer price index) and specific cost increases in the scientific sector (e.g., energy, laboratory materials).
• A one-time correction factor compensates for the funding gap of the last 10 year…: A one-time correction factor compensates for the funding gap of the last 10 years.
• Funding is based on a base contribution that is adjusted annually by inflation a…: Funding is based on a base contribution that is adjusted annually by inflation and the average GDP growth.

Benefit

• Stable finances allow ETH and EPFL to invest in long-term research projects such…: Stable finances allow ETH and EPFL to invest in long-term research projects such as artificial intelligence or quantum technology.
• An excellent supervision ratio and state-of-the-art laboratories attract the wor…: An excellent supervision ratio and state-of-the-art laboratories attract the world's best researchers and students. The Swiss economy directly benefits from this through innovative spin-offs, highly q…
• By linking funding to success, Switzerland remains independent of foreign techno…: By linking funding to success, Switzerland remains independent of foreign technologies. We secure our status as a world innovation leader, which guarantees future tax revenues and sustainably secures…