Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology Achieve Strategic Goals, Navigate Growth and Global Competition
The Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (ETH) in Zurich and Lausanne (EPFL), along with their affiliated research institutions, are demonstrating continued success in education, research, and innovation, according to recent reports. Although largely meeting strategic objectives set by the Swiss Federal Council, the institutions are also grappling with increasing student numbers, evolving international dynamics, and the need for continued investment in cutting-edge infrastructure. The combined institutions saw a total of 40,627 students and doctoral candidates in 2025, a testament to their growing international appeal. This success, however, necessitates careful management of resources and a strategic approach to maintaining quality amidst expansion. The commitment to open-source initiatives, exemplified by the development of the multilingual language model Apertus, further solidifies Switzerland’s position as a leader in responsible AI development.
The ETH domain – encompassing ETH Zurich, EPFL, and four research institutions – continues to attract top talent and maintain a strong international standing. Both ETH Zurich and EPFL secured prominent positions in the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Ranking, placing 11th and 35th globally, respectively. The Times Higher Education World University Ranking is widely respected and considers factors such as teaching, research, citations, international outlook, and industry income. This recognition underscores the quality of education and research conducted within the Swiss system. The institutions are actively contributing to advancements in high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, energy, climate research, and medical innovation, areas identified as crucial for future development.
Managing Growth and International Student Enrollment
The sustained popularity of the ETH domain’s programs has led to a 2% increase in student numbers in 2025, a growth rate that, while positive, is being carefully managed. To address capacity constraints, EPFL has implemented a temporary limitation on bachelor’s degree admissions for international students holding foreign higher education entrance qualifications, beginning in the autumn semester of 2025 and lasting for an initial four-year period. This measure aims to ensure that the institution can maintain the quality of education and support services for all students. Alongside this, both ETH Zurich and EPFL have significantly increased tuition fees for international students residing outside of Switzerland, tripling the costs. This decision, while potentially impacting accessibility, is intended to address financial pressures and ensure the long-term sustainability of the institutions.
Investing in Cutting-Edge Research Infrastructure
A significant portion of the ETH domain’s efforts is dedicated to developing and maintaining large-scale research infrastructure, making these resources available to both the scientific community and industry partners. The modernized Swiss Light Source, inaugurated in 2025 at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), represents a major investment in scientific capabilities. The Paul Scherrer Institute describes the SLS 2.0 as opening “new perspectives in materials science and life sciences.” Following the inauguration of the Alps supercomputer at the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS) in Lugano in late 2024, further platforms were launched in 2025 dedicated to weather and climate modeling, as well as machine learning. The Alps supercomputer, in particular, has been instrumental in the development of Apertus, Switzerland’s first large-scale, open-source multilingual language model. The CSCS website details the capabilities of the Alps system, highlighting its contribution to scientific advancement. Apertus’s open-source nature promotes transparency and collaboration in the field of artificial intelligence.
Fostering Entrepreneurship and Innovation
In line with the Swiss Federal Council’s strategic objectives, the ETH domain actively encourages entrepreneurial thinking and action among its members. This commitment has resulted in the creation of 70 spin-off companies in 2025, an increase of six compared to the previous year. These spin-offs represent a significant contribution to the Swiss economy and demonstrate the practical impact of research conducted within the ETH domain. The institutions provide support and resources to help researchers translate their discoveries into viable businesses, fostering innovation and creating new opportunities.
Financial Overview and Federal Support
In 2025, the Swiss Confederation directly and indirectly covered 82% of the ETH domain’s revenue. The proportion of income derived from third-party funding and competitive funding sources (including federal contributions) increased to nearly 34%. The institutions’ reserves decreased by 25 million Swiss francs, but remain substantial at 916 million Swiss francs. This financial stability allows for continued investment in research, education, and infrastructure. The financial model demonstrates a strong partnership between the federal government and the ETH domain, ensuring the long-term sustainability of these vital institutions.
Areas for Improvement Identified by the Federal Council
Despite the overall positive assessment, the Swiss Federal Council has identified three areas where further improvement is needed. These include enhancing synergies within the ETH domain, particularly in procurement processes, reducing reserves, improving asset management, and addressing organizational structure concerns currently under review by the ETH Council. The Federal Council emphasizes the importance of streamlining operations and maximizing the efficiency of resources to ensure the ETH domain continues to deliver value for money. These areas will be the focus of ongoing efforts to optimize performance and strengthen the institutions’ overall effectiveness.
The Apertus Language Model: A Milestone in Open-Source AI
The development of Apertus, a fully open large language model, represents a significant achievement for the ETH domain and Switzerland’s broader AI ecosystem. Released in September 2025, as detailed in an ETH Zurich press release, Apertus is notable for its multilingual capabilities, supporting over 1,000 languages. Its open-source nature allows researchers and developers worldwide to access, modify, and build upon the model, fostering innovation and collaboration. The project underscores Switzerland’s commitment to responsible AI development and its position as a hub for cutting-edge research in this rapidly evolving field. Apertus is currently available through Swisscom, Hugging Face, and the Public AI network, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
The ETH domain, guided by strategic objectives set by the Federal Council, operates through a framework of oversight and direction provided by the ETH Council. This structure ensures accountability and alignment with national priorities. The domain comprises ETH Zurich, EPFL, and four research institutions: PSI, WSL (the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research), Empa (the Laboratory for Materials Science and Technology), and Eawag (the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology). This collaborative network fosters interdisciplinary research and innovation, addressing complex challenges facing society.
Looking ahead, the ETH domain will continue to focus on achieving its strategic goals, fostering innovation, and contributing to Switzerland’s economic and social well-being. The ongoing review of organizational structure by the ETH Council will be a key focus in the coming months, with results expected to shape the future direction of the institutions. The next report on the realization of these objectives will be submitted to Parliament in 2026, providing a comprehensive assessment of progress and outlining future priorities.
What happens next? The ETH Council is expected to publish its findings regarding the organizational structure of the ETH domain in late 2026, which will likely inform future strategic planning and resource allocation. Stay informed about developments at ETH Zurich and EPFL.
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