Location search for ETH Swiss GeoLab: over 40 property proposals

ETH Zurich plans to establish an interdisciplinary competence centre for Earth observation in the Canton of Lucerne over the next ten years. The centre¡¯s research topics will range from early detection of natural disasters to forecasting agricultural yields. 

With the announcement of the requirement profile defined by ETH, the selection process for the future location of ETH Swiss GeoLab began in early November (see the external page press release of the Canton of Lucerne dated 4 November 2025). Over 40 specific property proposals had been submitted to Lucerne Business by the submission deadline on 30 November 2025. ¡°We are delighted by the enormous interest in ETH Swiss GeoLab,¡± says Felix Seidel from ETH Zurich, the new centre's Managing Director.  

Andreas Zettel from Lucerne Business is also delighted and sums up: ¡°We would like to thank the municipalities and private property owners for their dedicated and creative participation in the submission process. We greatly appreciate the opportunity to present ETH Zurich with a wide range of promising locations.¡± 

Next steps

The proposals submitted will now be carefully analysed and evaluated by ETH Zurich. ¡°We will conduct a detailed evaluation of all properties in the first quarter of 2026 and make a decision on the location based on the criteria published in the external page requirements profile,¡± says Seidel.  

The Canton of Lucerne is supporting the project as an infrastructure partner. Cantonal Councillor Fabian Peter notes: ¡°The wide range of proposals shows that Lucerne not only offers excellent conditions, but also attractive locations. We eagerly await ETH Zurich¡¯s decision.¡±