Creating the Spark

The Swiss  NOMIS Foundation supports and provides funding for innovative, groundbreaking research in the natural sciences, social sciences and the humanities. Its vision? To “create a spark” in the world of science by supporting scientists with pioneering spirit and passion, who enjoy looking across borders and thinking outside the box. By fostering an interdisciplinary approach, NOMIS aims to overcome the classic silo mentality and allow problems to be examined from different perspectives. The foundation believes that human progress is based on the findings of basic research and is socially responsible in promoting this activity.

Sustainable positioning by Essence Relations

Essence Relations has been supporting the foundation since its inception in 2015, consulting on the basis of our self-developed concept of Visibility-Trust-Relations-Value, an approach based on research, theory and practical experience. The goal is a sustainable positioning of the NOMIS Foundation as a globally active foundation, which commits its resources to exceptional talents conducting basic research that provides unique insights. Thanks to excellent global contacts and the constant nurturing of its strategic and trusted network, the NOMIS Foundation applies an entrepreneurial approach to proactively select and support the best projects. The foundation can also count on a large network of media and journalists, which is indispensable for sustainable communication.

The NOMIS Award as an instrument for strengthened identity and value creation

Carrying out specific, targeted activities allows the NOMIS Foundation to authentically convey its message and strengthen its identify. One important piece of work is the planning and execution of the NOMIS Award ceremony for Distinguished Scientists and Scholars (NOMIS Foundation), which is being held once again this week. The award recognizes scientists who are courageous and innovative, taking unconventional paths and exhibiting true pioneer spirit. The award is aimed at interdisciplinarity in science, a key concern of the NOMIS Foundation.

It is important that the award winners, the foundation and the event as a whole be presented in the best light, and that the implementation is aligned with the values of the NOMIS Foundation. This is the task of Essence Relations. The proper execution of the event necessitates intensive preparation and an in-depth analysis of the topic. From the initial concept through to the realization of the event, everything must be planned and coordinated in the most minute detail. The location of the award ceremony must reflect the values of the NOMIS Foundation. And the award winners’ stories must be told faithfully and authentically. To this end, and in cooperation with Lucerne University of Applied Sciences, a video portfolio was created for each award winner, showing the scientists from a variety of viewpoints, reflecting the credibility of the foundation and the value of the award ceremony.

Awardees 2017:

Karl Deisseroth is D.H. Chen Professor of Bioengineering and of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University, California.

Svante Pääbo, director of the Department of Evolutionary Genetics at the Max Planck Institute in Leipzig, Germany, is one of the founders of paleogenetics and became best known for his pioneering research on the Neandertal genome.

Tony Wyss-Coray, professor of neurology and neurological sciences at Stanford University, California, investigates the role of immune responses in brain aging and neurodegeneration with a focus on cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.