With the "National Centres of Competence in Research" (NCCRs), the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) supports long-term research projects on topics of strategic importance for Switzerland. The NCCRs are networks in which researchers at various universities and research institutions from all over Switzerland work together. An NCCR is led by one or more home institutions, which also contribute their own resources in addition to the SNSF funding.
The University of Bern serves as a home institution for two ongoing NCCRs and has taken on this role for five completed NCCRs.
Ongoing NCCRs at the University of Bern
NCCR PlanetS (2014-2026)
Home Institutions: University of Bern, University of Geneva
The "NCCR PlanetS" explores the formation, evolution and characterization of planets, as well as coordinating activities such as the creation of a national roadmap for instrumentation and space missions. The different research groups combine astronomical observations, spacecraft measurements, laboratory work and modeling to contribute to a better understanding of planets.
The NCCR PlanetS will lay the foundation for a Swiss Institute for Planetary Research, which will continue the activities of the NCCR after the SNSF funding ends.
NCCR RNA & Disease (2014-2026)
Home Institutions: University of Bern, ETH Zurich
The "NCCR RNA & Disease" brings together research groups working on different aspects of RNA biology to gain a better understanding of the role of RNA in disease and to develop RNA-based therapies. Diseases under study are those caused by the disruption of gene regulation and include heart disease, cancer, brain disease, and metabolic disorders.
The NCCR RNA & Disease will lay the foundation for a Swiss-wide network on RNA and disease research, which will continue to foster collaboration between the research groups and sustain key NCCR activities after the SNSF funding expires.
Completed NCCRs at the University of Bern
The NCCRs have had a lasting impact on the research priorities and structures of the University of Bern. For example, new professorships and training courses have been created, new infrastructures and platforms have been made available, and new centers have been established.
NCCR TransCure (2010-2021)
Home Institution: University of Bern
The "NCCR TransCure" integrated the disciplines of physiology, structural biology and chemistry to gain new insights into the role of transport proteins and ion channels in physiological processes in the human body. The goal was to enable new therapies for diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, neurodegeneration, heart disease and cancer.
Some of the activities of the completed NCCR are being continued under the framework of the "Ion Channels and Membrane Transporters" section of the "Life Sciences Switzerland" society.
NCCR MUST (2010-2021)
Home Institutions: ETH Zurich, University of Bern
At the heart of the "NCCR MUST" (Molecular Ultrafast Science and Technology) was the multidisciplinary development of experimental and theoretical tools to study ultrafast processes in molecular building blocks. The goal was to open up new perspectives for the study of molecular systems and time-resolved structural investigations in physics, chemistry and biology.
NCCR Trade Regulation (2005-2017)
Home Institution: University of Bern
The "NCCR International Trade Regulation" dealt with the identification and analysis of certain aspects of international trade relations, in order to better coordinate the various regulatory frameworks at an international level. The project led to the expansion of the World Trade Institute (WTI), one of the Centers of Excellence at the University of Bern.
NCCR Climate (2001-2013)
Home Institution: University of Bern
The "NCCR Climate" built on the tradition of climate research in Bern and pursued the goal of contributing to a better understanding of the variability, predictability and risks of the climate system through interdisciplinary research. The activities of the completed NCCR are being continued at the Oeschger Centre for Climate Research (OCCR) at the University of Bern.
NCCR North-South (2001-2013)
Home Institution: University of Bern
The "NCCR North-South" dealt with the management of global change syndromes in developing and transition countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The activities of the completed NCCR are being continued in the University of Bern's Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), Switzerland's competence center for sustainable development.