1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
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Research report

We are one of the leading research universities of applied sciences in Switzerland. We bring innovations into practice through targeted knowledge and technology transfer.

The following figures and statistics prove our commitment to applied research and development and show how we network as a research partner in the canton of Bern and in other regions in Switzerland and abroad.

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Our diverse research and innovation in figures

Our numerous research projects are made possible by a variety of funding sources. The statistics on current projects and third-party funding illustrate this successful research work.

We carry out numerous research projects every year, financed by various funding sources: the public sector, industry, Innosuisse, the SNSF and the EU.

This broad support is key to our ability to make a lasting contribution to relevant technical innovations and social issues. Our extensive portfolio is a testament to our reliability as a research and innovation partner.

Ongoing projects by funding source 682 2024 14% 12% 3% 14% 39% 18% Innosuisse 96 SNSF, Swiss National Scien 80 EU Framework Programme 21 BFH internal funding 98 ... the public sector 269 ... the industry 118 663 2023 19% 11% 3% 0% 10% 36% 21% Innosuisse 129 SNSF, Swiss National Scien 75 EU Framework Programme 19 COST research projects fun 1 BFH internal funding 64 ... the public sector 240 ... the industry 135 Innosuisse SNSF, Swiss National Science Foundation EU Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development COST research projects funded by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI BFH internal funding Research mandate from the public sector Research mandate from the industry All ongoing aR&D projects or commissions at BFH with a third-party funding share for BFH of more than CHF 50’000 are listed, except those of the Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen SFISM. Source: Bern University of Applied Sciences
Laufende Projekte nach Förderquellen 682 2024 14% 12% 3% 14% 39% 18% Innosuisse 96 SNF Schweiz. Nationalfond 80 EU F+E-Rahmenprogramm 21 BFH-interne Förderung 98 ... der öffentlichen Hand 269 ... der Wirtschaft 118 663 2023 19% 11% 3% 0% 10% 36% 21% Innosuisse 129 SNF Schweiz. Nationalfond 75 EU F+E-Rahmenprogramm 19 COST-Projekte (vom Staats 1 BFH-interne Förderung 64 ... der öffentlichen Hand 240 ... der Wirtschaft 135 Innosuisse SNF Schweiz. Nationalfonds zur Förderung
wissenschaftlicher Forschung (inkl. DORE) EU F+E-Rahmenprogramme für Forschung
und technologische Entwicklung COST-Projekte (vom Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation SBFI unterstützt) BFH-interne Förderung Forschungsauftrag der öffentlichen Hand Forschungsauftrag der Wirtschaft Angegeben sind alle an der BFH laufenden aF+E-Projekte bzw. Aufträge mit einem Drittmittelanteil für die BFH von über CHF 50’000. Exkl. Eidgenössische Hochschule für Sport Magglingen EHSM. Quelle: Berner Fachhochschule BFH
Third-party income for research and development CHF 54.9 Mio. 2024 CHF 53.7 Mio. 2023 CHF 48.1 Mio. 2022 Income Third parties 34’408’227 CHF Income Third parties 31’521’080 CHF Income Third parties 27’952’793 CHF Income Innosuisse 9’665’291 CHF Income Innosuisse 11’063’010 CHF Income Innosuisse 11’587’571 CHF Income SNSF 8853’618 CHF ’ Income SNSF 9’749’061 CHF Income SNSF 6’968’112 CHF Income Internat... 1’933’907 CHF Income Internat... 1’406’394 CHF Income Internat... 1’600’374 CHF Income Third parties Income Innosuisse Income SNSF Income International organisations Figures exclude affiliated universities of applied sciences and the Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen SFISM.
Source: State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI
Third-party income for research and development CHF 54.9 Mio. 2024 CHF 53.7 Mio. 2023 CHF 48.1 Mio. 2022 Income Third parties 34’408’227 CHF Income Third parties 31’521’080 CHF Income Third parties 27’952’793 CHF Income Innosuisse 9’665’291 CHF Income Innosuisse 11’063’010 CHF Income Innosuisse 11’587’571 CHF Income SNSF 8853’618 CHF ’ Income SNSF 9’749’061 CHF Income SNSF 6’968’112 CHF Income Internat... 1’933’907 CHF Income Internat... 1’406’394 CHF Income Internat... 1’600’374 CHF Income Third parties Income Innosuisse Income SNSF Income International organisations Figures exclude affiliated universities of applied sciences and the Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen SFISM.
Source: State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI

Further information

 

Further information can be found in our current annual report.

Wide-ranging project partnerships

We work with cantonal, national and international project partners from many different sectors. The statistics on project partnerships clearly show the influence of this cooperation.

We cooperate in numerous projects with partners from industry, the public sector, universities, ETHZ, EPFL and other universities of applied sciences. The focus is on partnerships in the canton of Bern and across Switzerland.

The steadily growing number of collaborations underlines our role as a driver of innovation in the region and beyond. These collaborations promote the transfer of knowledge and strengthen our position in research and development.

Project partnerships by geographical origin  214 with partners
from abroad 486 with partners from the canton of Bern 566 with partners from
the rest of Switzerland 1266 Total These figures do not include the Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen SFISM. Source: Bern University of Applied Sciences
Project partnerships by geographical origin  214 with partners
from abroad 486 with partners from
the canton of Bern 566 with partners from
the rest of Switzerland 1266 Total These figures do not include the Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen SFISM. Source: Bern University of Applied Sciences
Project partnerships by type 1266 2024 41% 43% 11% 5% From the industry 518 From society, culture or the 547 With a university or a Feder… 139 With a university of applied 62 1155 2023 44% 39% 12% 5% From the industry 507 From society, culture or the 455 With a university or a Feder… 137 With a university of applied 56 From the industry From society, culture or the public sector With a university or a Federal Institute of Technology With a university of applied sciences If a project partner is involved in more than one project, it may also be included more than once in the statistics. These figures do not include the Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen SFISM. Source: Bern University of Applied Sciences
Project partnerships by type 1266 2024 41% 43% 11% 5% From the industry 518 From society, culture or the 547 With a university or a Feder… 139 With a university of applied 62 1155 2023 44% 39% 12% 5% From the industry 507 From society, culture or the 455 With a university or a Feder… 137 With a university of applied 56 From the industry From society, culture or the public sector With a university or a Federal Institute of Technology With a university of applied sciences If a project partner is involved in more than one project, it may also be included more than once in the statistics. These figures do not include the Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen SFISM. Source: Bern University of Applied Sciences

Further information

Knowledge and technology transfer

Our research has an impact. Every year, our researchers publish numerous scientific papers, apply for patents and launch spin-offs.

We focus on active knowledge and technology transfer. Our researchers publish numerous scientific papers every year, many of them in open access journals.

BFH publications are regularly used in patent applications and spin-offs. This clearly demonstrates the practical relevance, economic and scientific benefits of our research.

Further information

Our strategic thematic fields in figures

Caring Society, Humane Digital Transformation and Sustainable Development: our strategic thematic fields are geared towards major social transformation processes. This is how we demonstrate our claim to social effectiveness.

Our strategic thematic fields support interschool projects in the areas of research, teaching, networking and public engagement in the form of initial funding.

This approach reinforces our strategic orientation, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and establishes a solid foundation for the acquisition of third-party funding.

Further information