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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 670 2025 12% 15% 3% 12% 37% 21% Innosuisse 82 SNSF, Swiss National Scien 98 EU Framework Programme 23 BFH internal funding 81 ... the public sector 247 ... the industry 139 682 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 Innosuisse SNSF, Swiss National Science Foundation EU Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development 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
Ongoing projects by funding source 670 2025 12% 15% 3% 12% 37% 21% Innosuisse 82 SNSF, Swiss National Scien 98 EU Framework Programme 23 BFH internal funding 81 ... the public sector 247 ... the industry 139 682 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 Innosuisse SNSF, Swiss National Science Foundation EU Framework Programme for Research and
Technological Development 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
Third-party income for research and development CHF 58.5 M 2025 CHF 54.9 M 2024 CHF 53.7 M 2023 Income Third parties 35’017’091 CHF Income Third parties 34’408’227 CHF Income Third parties 31’521’080 CHF Income Innosuisse 10’383’084 CHF Income Innosuisse 9’665’291 CHF Income Innosuisse 11’063’010 CHF Income SNSF 11’225’501 CHF Income SNSF 8853’618 CHF ’ Income SNSF 9’749’061 CHF Income Internat... 1’838’830 CHF Income Internat... 1’933’907 CHF Income Internat... 1’406’394 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 58.5 M 2025 CHF 54.9 M 2024 CHF 53.7 M 2023 Income Third parties 35’017’091 CHF Income Third parties 34’408’227 CHF Income Third parties 31’521’080 CHF Income Innosuisse 10’383’084 CHF Income Innosuisse 9’665’291 CHF Income Innosuisse 11’063’010 CHF Income SNSF 11’225’501 CHF Income SNSF 8853’618 CHF ’ Income SNSF 9’749’061 CHF Income Internat... 1’838’830 CHF Income Internat... 1’933’907 CHF Income Internat... 1’406’394 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  185 with partners
from abroad 455 with partners from the canton of Bern 557 with partners from
the rest of Switzerland 1197 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  185 with partners
from abroad 455 with partners from the canton of Bern 557 with partners from
the rest of Switzerland 1197 Total These figures do not include the Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen SFISM. Source: Bern University of Applied Sciences
Project partnerships by type 1197 2025 39% 45% 11% 5% From the industry 467 From society, culture or the 539 With a university or a Feder… 134 With a university of applied 57 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 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 1197 2025 39% 45% 11% 5% From the industry 467 From society, culture or the 539 With a university or a Feder… 134 With a university of applied 57 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 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