Switzerland and Horizon Europe

While calls in Horizon Europe have been open since 2021, issues surrounding the non-association of Switzerland have led to confusion regarding the participation of Swiss companies, industries, start-ups, and spinoffs in the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. While Switzerland remains a non-associated third country, Swiss-based researchers and innovators are eligible to participate in Horizon Europe collaborative calls as ‘associated partners’ (please see our factsheet on Swiss eligibility for Horizon Europe and the Euresearch website for further information).

Unfortunately the rumour is going around that companies and industry from Switzerland are not eligible for funding. This is incorrect. Partners from industry can participate and are eligible to receive the usual funding from the State Secretariat for Education Research and Innovation (SERI) for participation in Horizon Europe projects. Because Switzerland is still a non-associated third country, Swiss-based entities (industry and academic) can participate in collaborative projects in Horizon Europe as 'associated partners'. This means they can lead work packages and have an active role in project management.

The first companies are starting to receive funding and work in Horizon Europe projects, for example Debiotech has just received funding from SERI to join the project ‘MELISSA: Mobile Artificial Intelligence Solution for Diabetes Adapted Care’:

Debiotech S.A. in the Melissa project
AI for diabetes project MELISSA launched

Thank you for sharing this email/its contents throughout your network, on your website, and in your newsletter: we want everyone to know that participation and funding in Horizon Europe is possible for active scientists and innovators in both the academic and non-academic sectors in Switzerland!

For questions do not hesitate to contact us.

Best wishes,
The Swiss National Contact Points at Euresearch