Code of Conduct
Together with committed private individuals, companies and foundations, the ETH Zurich Foundation supports research and teaching at ETH Zurich. The Foundation furthermore assists donors in identifying their preferred areas of engagement, serves as an active interface between donors and the projects they support, and makes the impact of their contributions visible to the public.
Under the umbrella of the ETH Zurich Foundation, both lifetime and legacy donations are consolidated. These donations enable additional resources to be earmarked for outstanding researchers and special support programmes for ETH Zurich’s most talented students. They also serve as catalysts for strategic developments and address global challenges. Through their commitment, donors play a vital role in further strengthening ETH Zurich’s position as one of the world’s leading universities for science and technology.
The ETH Zurich Foundation takes very seriously its responsibility towards society, its donors and ETH Zurich, and is committed to acting and communicating with credibility and integrity at all times. For this reason, the Board of Trustees has established the following values and rules of conduct (“Code of Conduct”). These ensure compliance with social, legal and ethical principles and the sustainable management of the resources entrusted to the ETH Zurich Foundation.
A. Principles
I. Purpose of the ETH Zurich Foundation
As a charitable foundation, the ETH Zurich Foundation supports research and teaching at ETH Zurich. It allocates funds entrusted to it by private individuals, companies, foundations and others as charitable donations to ETH Zurich.
II. Academic freedom
Academic freedom in teaching, research and publishing is fully guaranteed for individuals and projects supported by the Foundation. Donations do not confer any right to influence researchers or their work, nor do they grant rights to ownership, publication or exploitation of research results.
III. Autonomy and independence
The autonomy and independence of ETH Zurich is guaranteed at all times. Beyond the specific purpose defined in the respective donation agreement, donors have no influence. In particular, they are not involved in selection processes (e.g. choosing among eligible Excellence Scholars), staffing decisions or procurement processes (e.g. professorial appointments) at ETH Zurich.
IV. Transparency and discretion
The content of donation agreements may be disclosed.
The purpose and details of donations may be published on the ETH Zurich Foundation’s website. This also applies to legacy donations. Additionally, the annual report provides a yearly overview of the Foundation’s financial position, donations received and the allocation of funds. Donors’ wishes to remain unnamed in public communications are respected. All data and information entrusted to the Foundation will be kept confidential and will not be shared with third parties without consent.
V. Sustainability
The ETH Zurich Foundation conducts its operations – including its philanthropic activities, asset management and contracts with third parties – in accordance with the principles of economic, social and environmental sustainability.
B. Donations
In addition to its own policies and processes, the ETH Zurich Foundation adheres to the regulations and practices of ETH Zurich. Reference is therefore also made to the “Code of Conduct of ETH Zurich on dealing with contributions”.
I. Acceptance
The ETH Zurich Foundation retains full discretion over the acceptance of donations (including legacies and bequests).
Donations must align with the Foundation’s purpose.
For donations of CHF 10,000 or more, the Steering Committee of the ETH Zurich Foundation decides on their acceptance.
Donation pledges of CHF 10,000 or more are generally formalised in written agreements, including details regarding the use of funds.
All donations are managed together with the Foundation’s other assets in accordance with its current investment policy. The Foundation’s operating expenses are financed proportionally from the returns on the total managed assets.
II. Purpose
For donations with a designated purpose and a written agreement, at least the member of ETH Zurich’s Executive Board who is responsible for the area in which the donation is to make an impact must be involved in contract negotiations at an early stage. Approval of such donations is generally granted by the President of ETH Zurich and the Executive Board member responsible for the area chosen to be supported. Specific donor interests regarding areas of support are considered wherever possible.
The Foundation’s governing bodies (Board of Trustees, Administrative Office, auditors) regard themselves as trustees of the donor’s stated wishes.
III. Donations for professorships
Donations can play a key role in enabling the creation of new professorships as planned by ETH Zurich. The responsibility for determining the academic focus, developing specific professorship profiles, the tendering process, selection procedures and appointment processes lies exclusively with ETH Zurich. The decision to propose a candidate for appointment to the ETH Board rests solely with the President of ETH Zurich.
(List of funded professorships (de))
C. Compliance
The ETH Zurich Foundation places great importance on complying with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Reference is also made to the “ETH Zurich Compliance Guide.”
I. Origin of funds
The ETH Zurich Foundation ensures that conflicts of interest are avoided within its organisation and that appropriate measures are in place to prevent conflicts between the personal interests of individuals and the interests of the ETH Zurich Foundation.
II. Avoiding conflicts of interest
The ETH Zurich Foundation ensures that conflicts of interest are avoided within the organisation. Where a potential conflict arises, appropriate measures are taken. The Foundation also prevents conflicts of interest with ETH Zurich.
III. Due diligence
All information collected in the course of assessing the origin of funds and compliance – as well as particulars regarding the decision to accept or decline a donation, including the reasoning – are documented by the Foundation.
These records may be made publicly available, subject to the overriding rights of third parties.
D. Communication and reporting
The ETH Zurich Foundation regularly informs donors about developments and the outcomes of the projects they support.
E. Requirements under non-profit law
I. Voluntary service
Members of the Board of Trustees serve on a voluntary basis. They do not accept any form of compensation from donors or third parties in relation to their role.
II. Avoiding adverse tax consequences
Donations must not be linked to any form of consideration that would have adverse tax consequences for the ETH Zurich Foundation or ETH Zurich. The Executive Board of ETH Zurich must approve any taxable consideration.
F. Effective date
This Code of Conduct replaces the previous version dated 26 October 2020 (amended 12 June 2022).
It enters into force following approval by the Board of Trustees of the ETH Zurich Foundation on 10 March 2025.