Promoting academic and scientific talent is one of an institution of higher education’s core duties. In accordance with their profiles, the universities, universities of applied sciences and arts and universities of teacher education have developed their own career paths and recruit and develop professionals based on their needs.

swissuniversities campaigns for optimal conditions and supports the institutions of higher education in their work by developing positions and implementing projects that help to clarify and improve career opportunities (doctorate, careers). It also coordinates programmes funded through project-related contributions that make it possible to initiate measures aimed at further developing young talent at universities, universities of applied sciences and arts and universities of teacher education:

• Mobility Promotion for Doctoral Students and Further Development of the Third Cycle
• Pilot Programmes to Strengthen the Dual Competencies Profile
• Subject-Specific Didactics: Network Consolidation and Career Development
• Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities in the Development of Higher Education Institutions

These programs cover the period 2021–2024. Other programmes will follow from 2025 onwards.

swissuniversities awards mobility contributions for Cotutelles de thèse projects on behalf of the federal government. Lastly, it works with the Gebert Rüf Stiftung as part of the First Ventures funding programme.