BTU expertise for the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)

Since January 2026, Prof. Egbers has been involved for a period of four years as an independent examiner together with experts from various STEM disciplines in the evaluation of scientific funding applications submitted to the SNSF by universities and research institutions.

The Research Council is the central scientific decision-making body of the National Council in Switzerland. Similar to the German Research Foundation (DFG), decisions on the funding of research projects are made here. The decisions are made in a multi-stage procedure in which examiners from various disciplines agree on a topic. This is intended to ensure scientific excellence and strategic orientation in research. Prof. Christoph Egbers brings extensive experience from his eight years on the DFG's review board. His appointment to the SNSF Research Council is a great honour and at the same time an expression of his high scientific reputation.

In this interview, Prof. Egbers explains the tasks and importance of his role as a reviewer.

Prof. Egbers, what are you particularly looking forward to in your work on the Scientific Committee?
I particularly enjoy the interdisciplinary collaboration. The Research Council brings together experts from various STEM disciplines - from natural sciences and Computer Science to engineering. This interdisciplinary exchange is extremely enriching and opens up new perspectives on scientific issues.

How do you work together with the other examiners?
As a rule, the first step is an individual review based on the reviewers' own expertise. The applications are then intensively discussed and jointly assessed by the panel. These collegial discussions - partly virtual, partly in person - are central to making balanced decisions and ensuring the highest scientific quality.

Can you draw on your experience from the DFG review boards in your new role?
Absolutely. The basic principles of peer review - scientific excellence, transparency, fairness and international comparability - are very similar. My experience from the DFG helps me in particular to evaluate proposals in a structured way and to categorise different specialist cultures. At the same time, the SNSF offers new perspectives with its international orientation, which I am very much looking forward to.

How do you combine this new role with your own research projects?
A job like this naturally requires good organisation. I benefit greatly from the support of my chair team, which gives me the necessary freedom for this additional task. I also see many synergies in terms of content: The insight into international research strategies and funding logics also has a positive impact on my own academic work.

What significance does membership of the Research Council have for you personally?
For me, being appointed to the SNSF Research Council is both recognition and responsibility. It gives me access to an excellent international network and enables me to play an active role in the further development of the European research landscape. Ultimately, the BTU and its international profile will also benefit from this influence.

Thank you very much for the interview.

Background

The Research Council is the central body of the Swiss National Science Foundation for the evaluation of funding applications and the strategic direction of research funding. It has been restructured since 2025 and is divided into: a Policy Committee (fundamental and strategic issues) and five Programme Committees for different research areas. The aim of the committee is to promote excellent, independent basic research and to strengthen Switzerland as a centre of science in the long term.

Further information can be found on the official website of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).