The Research Centre on Multilingualism (RCM) has received a federal mandate (Languages Ordinance, Article 12) to coordinate, lead and conduct applied research in the field of multilingualism in Switzerland. It operates a Documentation Centre and maintains a national and international research network. In addition to uniting expertise from various Swiss language regions, RCM prepares scholarly findings for stakeholders in education, public administration and society. Its activities are coordinated by the Institute of Multilingualism (IdP) of the University of Fribourg. RCM projects are independent, applied research projects that are conducted at universities and research institutions from the whole of Switzerland. Investigated topics include language minorities, language teaching and learning, and multilingual practices in public policy and the economy.
RCM publishes summaries and synthesis reports on the current state of research in selected fields, thereby fostering the transfer of knowledge within scholarship and into professional practice and public administration.
As part of its federal mandate, RCM also provides services: the Documentation Centre at the University of Fribourg records and documents scholarly findings and materials surrounding multilingualism, and it answers queries from public administration, education and the general public.
RCM pursues its research activities in consultation with the Swiss Confederation, which finances the Centre on the basis of the Federal Languages Act. The individual research projects are specified in long-term performance agreements with the Federal Office of Culture.
RCM is supported by an advisory committee whose members are appointed by the Swiss government. The committee is made up of representatives from relevant federal offices and the Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education, and is charged with assessing RCM’s research programme. In addition, RCM is advised by an international academic advisory board that regularly evaluates the Centre’s research activities.
RCM is operated by the Institute of Multilingualism on the basis of a federal mandate.
The research programme 2025-28 of the Research Centre on Multilingualism (ROM)was prepared in conjunction with the Federal Office of Culture (FOC) and the ROM Support Group. The aim was a thematically balanced programme that addresses current needs and covers various areas.
Click here for an overview of the research projects.
The following research institutes are carrying out research projects as part of the 2025–2028 programme:
- Haute école pédagogique Vaud (FLP Underserved Communities)
- Institut für Kulturforschung Graubünden (FLP rumantsch)
- Institut de plurilinguisme (Littératie administrative, DISCO, Wie lange noch bis B2?, Swiko Triple S, Alpha II)
- Pädagogische Hochschule Bern (FLP Transition)
- Pädagogische Hochschule Graubünden (trattamento errore)
- Pädagogische Hochschule Nordwestschweiz Basel, Brugg-Windisch, Muttenz, Olten (Schreibarrangements und Studien zeigen, dass…)
- PH St. Gallen (Kitas)
- Pädagogische Hochschule Thurgau (Trattamento errore)
- Université de Genève (Ramal)
RCM is advised by an international scientific advisory board which regularly evaluates the Centre’s research activities and makes recommendations for its further development. The research partners of the RCM are involved in these evaluations.