Academy
09.01.2026
Become a member of the Swiss Young Academy
Read more CloseThe Swiss Young Academy (SYA) brings together young researchers from a wide range of scientific disciplines. It creates an inspiring environment for inter- and transdisciplinary exchange. The current call for applications, with submission deadline on 28 February 2026, offers the opportunity to apply for a five-year membership.
The Swiss Young Academy consists of members from different scientific disciplines and universities. They are regarded as the young voice of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences and can raise concerns relevant to the next generation of researchers. Would you like to become actively involved in Switzerland's largest scientific network? Individuals with a background in medical sciences are welcome to apply. Please visit the JAS website for more information on the requirements and application procedure.
Visit the website
Academy
08.01.2026
ECAE: New President and revised by-laws
Read more CloseThe Ethics Committee for Animal Experimentation (ECAE) is a joint commission of the SAMS and the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT). It acts as an expert and advisory body in the field of animal experimentation. At its meeting in November 2025, the SAMS Senate elected Prof. Michael Hottiger, Zürich, as chair of the ECAE. It also approved the entry into force of the revised by-laws. These describe the Commission’s composition, define the processes and clarify the roles of the two Academies.
Prof. Michael Hottiger will assume the role of President in summer 2026. In the meantime, Prof. Michael Schmid, Vice-Chair of the ECAE, will serve as interim chair. The Academies would like to express their sincere thanks to Prof. Hanno Würbel for his excellent presidency (2018–2025). Under his leadership, the ECAE achieved many major milestones, such as the revision of the «Ethical Guidelines for animal experiments», the «Weighing of interests for proposed animal experiments» and the development of a document on possible reforms to the authorization procedure. Further information about the ECAE, its activities, and its publications can be found on our website.
By-laws, French version (PDF)
Academy
05.01.2026
«The Health Insurance Act is a law about money flows, not about health»
Read more CloseAt the end of the year, CH Media spoke with Arnaud Perrier, President of the SAMS, about rising healthcare costs, increasing administrative responsibilities, and other challenges within the healthcare system. Prof. Perrier advocates for easily accessible primary care organized through networks and a better distribution of tasks between doctors and nurses. He also explained why Switzerland needs an article on health in the Constitution.
«The Health Insurance Act is a success story. For 30 years, it has guaranteed insurance coverage and basic services for everyone. However, it is a law about money flows, not about health. Therefore, it is not suitable as a framework for a national health strategy.» Read the CH Media interview to learn why Switzerland needs such a strategy, what key points it could contain, and why it should not be equated with centralization of the system. The full article, published in various Swiss German newspapers, is also available on the online platform «watson».
Visit the website
Ethics
02.01.2026
Regina Aebi-Müller: Second Vice President of the Central Ethics Committee
Read more CloseThe Central Ethics Committee (CEC) of the SAMS identifies and discusses ethical challenges in medicine. Together with its subcommittees, it releases medical-ethical guidelines and publishes position statements on current issues. The CEC comprises physicians from various specialties as well as experts in nursing, ethics and law. As of 1 January 2026, the Committee will have a second Vice President: Professor Regina Aebi-Müller, a long-standing member of the CEC, has been elected to the Board.
The CEC generally meets four times a year. Between these meetings, the Board – consisting of the President, the two Vice Presidents, and the Head of the Ethics Department – convenes to ensure that urgent matters are addressed promptly and that the full-day CEC sessions are thoroughly prepared and appropriately followed up. Detailed information about the tasks and functioning of the CEC can be found in the regulations, available in French and German, and on our website. A complete list of members is also available there.
CEC Regulations, French version (PDF)
Academy
18.12.2025
The SAMS as a bridge between science and society
Read more CloseFor science, for medicine, for society – the SAMS remains true to its motto. But society is changing, and the Academy must evolve with it. What are the practical implications for our activities? In the final newsletter of the year, President Arnaud Perrier shares his personal perspective on this question. We hope you enjoy reading it and wish you a happy holiday season!
After his first year as President of the SAMS, Arnaud Perrier asks himself: Is it time to change our name to «Academy of Health Sciences»? His answer is no. Our primary vocation is to remain an Academy of Medicine. Yet public health is part of our mission, and addressing it is an ethical duty. Moreover, we are not just an Academy for physicians. We promote interprofessionality and the development of collaborative teams to serve patients. Read our newsletter, available in French and German, to find out more.
Further information
Funding
17.12.2025
National MD-PhD Program: 18 fellowships thanks to new partners
Read more CloseThis year, the National MD-PhD Program is enabling 18 talented young physicians to pursue a doctorate in natural sciences, clinical research, or public health at one of the universities associated with the program. These awards conclude the first evaluation round run entirely at the national level. They are made possible thanks to the generous support of new partners. The next call for proposals will be launched in early 2026, with a submission deadline on 15 May 2026.
The MD-PhD fellowships cover the recipients' salaries and are funded this year by the Faculty Pool (joint funding by the faculties associated with the program), the SAMS, and several private foundations and partner organizations for a total amount of over CHF 3 million. Half of the fellowships go to clinical research projects, reflecting the steady increase in demand in these disciplines. The grantees are listed in the synopsis. Information on the program partners and evaluation procedure is available on our website.
Synopsis of grantees (PDF)
Funding
12.12.2025
Young Talents in Clinical Research: 15 grants awarded
Read more CloseWith the Young Talents in Clinical Research program, the Gottfried and Julia Bangerter-Rhyner Foundation and the SAMS encourage young medical doctors to start out in clinical research. At the end of the 2025 call for applications, 15 talented clinicians are supported with a total amount of CHF 1'049'647. For the first time, Dementia Research Switzerland – Synapsis Foundation is contributing by funding a grant in the field of neurodegeneration.
This year, 14 persons receive «Beginner Grants» for protected time for research during their clinical residency. In addition, one person is awarded a «Project Grant» to consolidate the expertise acquired during the «Beginner Grant» and to realize her own research project. The next call for applications will be launched in March 2026. For more information about the program, please visit our website.
List of grantees (PDF)
Funding
09.12.2025
Neurosciences: Call for nominations for the Robert Bing Prize
Read more CloseEvery two years, the SAMS awards the Robert Bing Prize in neurosciences. The Prize is financed from the legacy of Basel neurologist Robert Bing. In accordance with the founder's wishes, it is aimed at young researchers in neuroscience. The Prize honours outstanding work in the recognition, treatment and cure of diseases of the nervous system. The deadline for nominations is 9 March 2026.
The Prize money is CHF 50’000 for a single laureate or CHF 30'000 each if two Prizes are awarded simultaneously. Nominations can be submitted by a third party or an academic institution. Details are set out in the regulations. Further information and the nomination form can be found on our website.
Prize Regulations, French version (PDF)