The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) within the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER is the federal government's specialised agency for national and international matters concerning education, research and innovation policy.

As the federal authority responsible for preparing and implementing federal ERI policy, SERI works with its partners to carry out the following tasks: 

- It develops a strategic overview of education, research and innovation in Switzerland and handles federal performance and resource planning in these areas (around CHF 4.5 billion annually).
- It develops Switzerland’s international networks and ensures its place in European and global ERI activities.
- It provides a wide-ranging, varied and flexible system of high-quality general education and vocational education and training (VET). SERI’s fields of activity As part of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) is the federal competence centre for national and international matters pertaining to education, research and innovation policy. 
- It raises the quality and appeal of vocational and professional education and training according to the changing needs of the labour market. 
- It contributes to efficient and high-quality teaching and research at higher education institutions.
-It promotes research and innovation and coordinates the tasks and measures of the relevant federal grant funding bodies.
- It fosters and coordinates Swiss activities in space research and applications.

Mission

- They are the federal competence centre for the design and implementation of education, research and innovation policy, which radiates and is felt at national and international levels. They see themselves as the liaison between policymakers, society and business.
- They work with public and private partners to coherently shape future prospects for the society.
- They align their support activities with other federal and cantonal agencies and make subsidiary contributions aimed at consolidating Switzerland’s position as a location for research and production.