The FORESO : foundation for research in healthcare has been crated in June 1999 on the  Swiss Red Cross, the Hospices cantonaux (cantonal hospitals), the Foundation of La Source and the University of Lausanne's initiative, in order to promote research in the different non-medical health professions, in particular nursing.

The components of the foundation

- The Foundation board, presided by Mrs Christiane Langenberger, Senator;
- The Executive committee, made up of members of the founding institutions;
- The Scientific committee, presided by Prof. Fabio Levi, Head of the Cancer Epidemiology Unit of the
   University Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, and professor at the Faculty of Medicine,
   University of Lausanne;
- The Research unit, directed by Prof. Ada Spitzer, RN, PhD of the University of Washington, Seattle
   (USA), Professor at the Department of Nursing Sciences, University of Haifa (Israel), and invited
   Professor at the University Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Lausanne.

The funding of FORESO is provided by contributions from founding institutions. Now, conducting large scale quality research requires important means which exceeds the resources of the institutions. Therefore, FORESO is continuously seeking contributions from diverse origins.