Funding
12.12.2025
Young Talents in Clinical Research: 15 grants awarded
Read more CloseWith the Young Talents in Clinical Research program, the Gottfried and Julia Bangerter-Rhyner Foundation and the SAMS encourage young medical doctors to start out in clinical research. At the end of the 2025 call for applications, 15 talented clinicians are supported with a total amount of CHF 1'049'647. For the first time, Dementia Research Switzerland – Synapsis Foundation is contributing by funding a grant in the field of neurodegeneration.
This year, 14 persons receive «Beginner Grants» for protected time for research during their clinical residency. In addition, one person is awarded a «Project Grant» to consolidate the expertise acquired during the «Beginner Grant» and to realize her own research project. The next call for applications will be launched in March 2026. For more information about the program, please visit our website.
List of grantees (PDF)
Funding
09.12.2025
Neurosciences: Call for nominations for the Robert Bing Prize
Read more CloseEvery two years, the SAMS awards the Robert Bing Prize in neurosciences. The Prize is financed from the legacy of Basel neurologist Robert Bing. In accordance with the founder's wishes, it is aimed at young researchers in neuroscience. The Prize honours outstanding work in the recognition, treatment and cure of diseases of the nervous system. The deadline for nominations is 9 March 2026.
The Prize money is CHF 50’000 for a single laureate or CHF 30'000 each if two Prizes are awarded simultaneously. Nominations can be submitted by a third party or an academic institution. Details are set out in the regulations. Further information and the nomination form can be found on our website.
Prize Regulations, French version (PDF)
Funding
09.12.2025
Call for nominations: Stern-Gattiker-Prize for women in academic medicine
Read more CloseEvery two years, the SAMS awards the Stern-Gattiker Prize to a female medical scientist who acts as a role model in academic medicine and motivates young people to pursue such a career. The Stern-Gattiker Prize is endowed with CHF 15’000. The deadline for nominations is 9 March 2026.
The nomination procedure has been updated. It now follows the same procedure as for the other SAMS scientific prizes. Nominations can be made by third parties or by an academic institution – newly bundled in a single form. Detailed information and the nomination form can be found on our website.
Prize regulations, French version (PDF)
Funding
04.12.2025
New funding program: Research in migration and health
Read more CloseThe Stanley Thomas Johnson Foundation and the SAMS are launching the funding program «Research in migration and health». Its goal is to promote equitable access to healthcare for vulnerable migrants in Switzerland and to strengthen research capacity and cooperation between research groups.
Despite a growing research activity in migration and health in Switzerland in the past years, research is still largely dispersed across disciplines and institutions. To address this gap, the Stanley Thomas Johnson Foundation is providing CHF 2.7 million over a period of three years. The program funds project grants that encourage collaboration between research groups and disciplines. Priority is given to intervention studies aimed at improving health care provision. The submission deadline is 1st June 2026. Detailed information can be found on our website.
Regulations of the funding program (PDF)
Projects
03.12.2025
Swiss PPIE Network: the SAMS is a founding member
Read more CloseThe Swiss PPIE Network was launched on 22 November 2025 as a non-profit association whose mission is to promote patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in healthcare. Its founding members include representatives of patients, interested citizens, and institutions, including the SAMS.
The Swiss PPIE Network aims to strengthen and anchor the participation and influence of patients, relatives, and representatives of the general public in all areas of healthcare, namely care, research, education, and policy. It will work to support existing projects and promote new initiatives. You can find more information in the new association’s press release.
Download media release (PDF)
Agenda
02.12.2025
Swiss Public Health Conference 2026: Call for Abstracts
Read more Close«Public Health and the Beauty of Complexity» is the motto of the 2026 Swiss Public Health Conference. The call for abstracts is now open to all interested parties, including those from the fields of research, practice, politics and patient advocacy, until 1 February 2026.
While complexity is often seen as a challenge, in public health it is a strength. It reflects the richness of human lives, the diversity of the systems and perspectives involved, and the need for dialogue across disciplines and sectors. This year's conference, which the SAMS is participating in as a partner, aims to encourage the formulation of new questions. Do you have ideas? Information about the conference and the call for abstracts can be found on the event page.
Visit the website
Publications
28.11.2025
Strengthening self-determination through advance care planning
Read more CloseWhat happens if we lose our capacity to make decisions due to accident or illness? Advance care planning (ACP) means addressing such questions beforehand in order to preserve self-determination and autonomy even when you are no longer able to make decisions for yourself. In the main article of the SAMS Bulletin, Prof. Miodrag Filipovic explains why ACP goes beyond the traditional advance directive.
The Bulletin 4/2025 also provides information on various new developments: the brochure to strengthen ACP in retirement and nursing homes, the subcommittee on «Differences of sex development», and the funding program «Research on Migration and Health». Information from the SAMS Senate, SPHN, as well as the results of the bulletin survey, complete this issue.
SAMS Bulletin 4/2025, French version (PDF)
Ethics
27.11.2025
Public consultation: Advance care planning for emergency situations
Read more CloseMedical emergencies require swift action. At the same time the patient’s wishes must be taken into account, for example the wish not to be resuscitated or transferred to a hospital. To provide clarity in such situations, a national expert group has developed the concept «Advance care planning (ACP) for emergency situations». The concept is under public consultation until the end of February 2026.
The most common ACP document is the advance directives. Some templates include a set of instructions for emergency situations. If this is not the case, a separate form can be a useful addition. The national expert group proposes the development of a nationwide standardised ACP emergency form and has formulated related recommendations in a concept. As part of a public consultation, all interested persons and institutions are invited to submit their comments. Further information and all necessary materials are available on our topic page.
Download concept, French Version (DOCX)