The R. Geigy-Stiftung emerged from a series of predecessor foundations that had been established throughout Rudolf Geigy's life. Geigy's aim was to support young researchers who knew how to creatively combine laboratory and field work and who have distinguished themselves in particular in the field of research partnerships with the countries of the South.
RUDOLF GEIGY
1902 – 1995
Rudolf Geigy decided against a career in the family company J. R. Geigy AG and became a zoologist. He dedicated his life to the research and control of tropical infectious diseases, in particular African relapsing fever, sleeping sickness and malaria. In 1944, he founded the Swiss Tropical Institute in Basel, the field laboratory of the Tropical Institute (today: Ifakara Health Institute) in Tanzania in 1949 and was co-founder of the Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques (CSRS) en Côte d'Ivoire.
Many of Geigy's ideals are still alive in the Swiss TPH today: the fascination for the smallest pathogens, the emphasis on shared learning or the focus on neglected diseases, people and systems.
HISTORY
1969: Stiftung Klinik Sonnenrain
Purpose: Operation of the Klinik Sonnenrain for the needs of the Swiss TPH
1976: Rudolf Geigy-Stiftung
Purpose: Support of Swiss TPH projects (support of field research, financing of publications; special purchases for the library, financing of instruments and equipment)
1991: Stiftung Sonnenrain
Purpose: Rental of the real estate owned by
the foundation to the Swiss TPH at preferential conditions, as well as support of research
projects
1993: Jubiläumsstiftung
Purpose: Raising funds for the financing of projects of the Swiss TPH. The purpose was divided into four funds (Malaria Fund, Sahel Fund, Slum Fund, General Fund)
1998: R. Geigy-Stiftung
(merger with Stiftung Sonnenrain)
Purpose: The foundation manages the real estate owned by it and makes it available to Swiss TPH at preferential conditions. It manages all its assets and thus supports projects of the Swiss TPH, especially
Teaching and research projects
Publications by employees and
researchers
purchase of books, instruments and
equipment
2010: R. Geigy-Stiftung
Since the merger with the Jubiläumsstiftung, all foundations established by R. Geigy are now combined in the R. Geigy-Stiftung.