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 institutions and entities in the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. While Switzerland remains a third country, Swiss-based researchers and innovators are eligibleto 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).  This means they can lead work packages and have an active role in project management and their budget is covered by the Swiss government, namely the State Secretariat for Education Research and Innovation (SERI).

The first projects funded by Horizon Europe that include Swiss associated partners are currently being launched with Swiss national funding.  Just a couple examples of these projects that are currently starting across the clusters are:

1) The project Be-Safe which aims to improve patients’ wellbeing by reducing the use of sleeping aids and sedatives has been launched with Prof Nicolas Rodondi at the University of Bern participating as an associated partner.

2) The project REDEMOS which aims to improve and promote citizen engagement in effective democracies will start in November 2022 with Prof Tina Freyburg from the University of St Gallen on board as an associated partner.

We thank you for your continuous collaboration, especially given the fact that not all scientists and researchers are aware that we are in fact eligible for participation in Horizon Europe and national funding for such.  If you could therefore distribute this email far and wide, even if this means possible repetition of other communications, we would very much appreciate it. Thank you for sharing 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 Switzerland!   Please don’t hesitate to contact us for further information.

Best wishes,
The Swiss National Contact Points at Euresearch