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The Foundation for Research on Information Technologies in Society (IT'IS) was founded on November 15th, 1999 through the initiative and support of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH), the global wireless communications industry and several governmental agencies. The aim was to create a flexible and dynamic research institution capable of addressing the research needs of society in the explosively expanding field of information technologies. Some of the areas encompassed are: 1) evaluation of the safety and risks related to current and emerging information technologies, 2) exploration of information technologies for medical, diagnostic and life support systems, 3) improvement of the accessibility of information technologies for all members of society including disabled persons. IT'IS is committed to the advancement of science for the benefit of society at large and to maintaining strict independence from any particular interest groups. These principles are reflected in the foundation's charter as well as the balance of the composition of its board with distinguished personalities from science, the public sector and the global wireless communications industry. IT'IS is a tax-exempted non-profit research organization.

The main research unit of IT'IS is located in the VAW Building at ETHZ (Gloriastrasse 37/39, 8006 Zurich). In April 2000, IT'IS opened jointly with Schmid & Partner Engineering AG the world's most advanced near-field laboratory in downtown Zurich (Zeughausstrasse 43, 8004 Zurich). More than 20 people are currently working for the Foundation, of those 80% with MS or PhD Degree.

The closest and most important cooperative ties that IT'IS has are with ETHZ. An excellent relationship has been established with the Integrated Systems Laboratory. Close cooperation with other laboratories at ETHZ and at the University of Zurich is planned. In addition, the IT'IS team has a great deal of experience in multi-disciplinary cooperation through a multitude of projects, resulting in an international network of over 50 research partners from academia and industry in Europe, the USA and Asia.

IT'IS is currently involved in over twenty national, European and international research projects addressing the question of risk evaluation in wireless communications, as well as five large projects related to sensing near-field technologies and computational electrodynamics. In addition to providing research results for governmental agencies through participation in standardization bodies (IEC 106, CENELEC TC211, IEEE28, IEEE34) and providing consultation to governments, IT'IS also provides courses to members of the public, industry, and universities.

Current research projects are being supported by public funds such as those of the Quality of Life Programme of the European Union, health agencies and other governmental institutions. Funding from industry comes from major mobile communications manufacturers and service providers as well as from smaller companies.