Newsletter October 2023

Focus

European R&I Addresses Global Challenges

Europe is facing an increasing number of socio-economic challenges that are likely to have a significant negative impact on its common future and its people. Examples of these problems include ageing and demographic change, social exclusion, poverty, and climate change. As these challenges are enormous, a joint European effort is essential to solve them.

Research and innovation (R&I) are central to tackling the effects of global challenges and finding lasting solutions for a prosperous and resilient Europe. Horizon Europe, the ninth EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027), is one of the key tools to address these issues and contribute to recovery, preparedness, and growth. In particular, Pillar 2 of Horizon Europe, which is dedicated to confronting major global challenges and addressing the Sustainable Development Goals, aims to “improve people’s lives and to protect the planet for future generations”. Other parts of the Programme, such as the various mono-beneficiary grants, the European Research Council (ERC) for example, fund bottom-up research that can also help to address the challenges mentioned above.

As Switzerland is currently not associated to Horizon Europe, Swiss-based researchers and innovators can participate in about two-thirds of Horizon Europe, which mainly includes calls for collaborative projects and in principle excludes calls for mono-beneficiary grants. However,  to efficiently and effectively compensate for Switzerland's current non-association and to facilitate the potential of R&I from Switzerland to address global challenges, the Federal Council decided on transitional measures for the 2021, 2022 and 2023 calls for proposals amounting to over CHF 1.85 billion. It remains the Federal Council’s declared goal to have Switzerland associate to Horizon Europe and its related programmes and initiatives as soon as possible.

Among the projects funded by transitional measures are several that can contribute to solving climate or health problems. For example, some of the SERI-funded ERC Starting and Consolidator Grants (projects that were evaluated positively by the ERC and are being carried out in Switzerland) focus on these topics and can thus address global challenges.

Do not miss the next Euresearch proposal writing training and start preparing for the 2024 calls.

Authors: Dr Anna Fill and Brita Bamert, Scientific Advisors, International Research and Innovation Programmes Unit, State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation
Illustration: Alexandra Rosakis

MSCA Doctoral Networks 2023 Handbook Available

The Doctoral Networks Handbook is an unofficial document written by MSCA-NET, the EU-funded project of National Contact Points for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). The handbook contains recommendations for proposals being submitted to the MSCA Doctoral Networks 2023 call. The deadline is on 28 November 2023.

Horizon Europe Success Story: Prof Ted Turlings

Have a look at our Success Story featuring Prof Ted Turlings from the Institute of Biology at the University of Neuchâtel and learn how Euresearch supported him with his participation in Horizon Europe. Prof Turlings was recently awarded the 2023 Marcel Benoist Prize “for his outstanding contributions in the fields of chemical ecology and plant-insect interaction”.

EIC Pathfinder Open:
Successful Proposals with Swiss-based Participants

The European Innovation Council (EIC) has selected 53 cutting-edge technology projects in the fields of health, AI, computing, environment and energy in its recent Pathfinder Open call. More than 10 Swiss entities will actively participate in some of the selected projects. The next Pathfinder Open call is expected in spring 2024.

New European Bauhaus:
Horizon Europe EU Mission in the Pipeline

The European Commission has proposed a sixth Horizon Europe Mission dedicated entirely to the New European Bauhaus, aiming to transform neighbourhoods across Europe for the better – making them beautiful, sustainable and inclusive. These neighbourhoods should act as ‘living labs’ for innovation.

Europe’s Rail – 2023 Call

The Horizon Europe Partnership “Europe’s Rail” has recently opened their 2023 call for proposals. With this call, they intend to build synergies with the SESAR 3 partnership, promoting an integrated air and rail network backbone for a sustainable and energy-efficient European multimodal transport system. For further information on the topics, consult their Work Programme 2023-2024.
Deadline: 07.02.2024

Sustainable, Secure and Competitive Energy Supply

The European Commission has launched a call for proposals in the area of renewable energy and in the area of energy systems, grids and storage (Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility, Destination 3). The call covers 17 topics (call reference: HORIZON-CL5-2024-D3-01). If you are interested in applying, please contact for support.
Deadline: 16.01.2024

Apply to Horizon Europe Partnerships Calls

Swiss-based entities are encouraged to apply to the current wave of open Horizon Europe Partnership calls. National funding is available for the following calls: Biodiversa+ (SNSF), Water4All (SNSF) and Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP) (SNSF and SFOE). See the corresponding link for further information and requirements from the different funding bodies.

Cluster 6 – Calls Open Soon

The Horizon Europe “Cluster 6” 2024 calls for proposals will open this month. 75 topics are proposed within the thematic areas of food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture, and environment. If you are interested in applying, please contact for support.
Opening: 17.10.2023
Deadline: 22.02.2024

Cluster 4 –
Industry Calls Open

The Horizon Europe “Cluster 4: Industry” 2024 calls, covering the thematic areas of advanced manufacturing, industry 4.0 and materials, are open for submission. If you are interested in applying, please contact for support.
Deadline: 07.02.2024

>>Venture>> 2024

The 2024 round of the annual >>venture>> startup competition will kick-off this month. Each year, the organisers of the competition award over CHF 500 000 to startups and provide access to a network of experts, mentors and top executives. Join one of the kick-off events!
Zurich: 26.10.2023
Lausanne: 31.10.2023

Euresearch Company
Advisors

Switzerland is currently a non-associated Third Country in Horizon Europe. Swiss SMEs and Start-ups are still eligible to participate in many collaborative projects and have their participation financed nationally. Contact one of the Euresearch Company Advisors in your region to get more information.

Information Event – Horizon Europe Health Opportunities

Are you looking for funding opportunities for collaborative research and innovation projects in the area of health? This online event will inform you about the upcoming calls, with topics ranging from immunotherapies and rare diseases to digital health.
07.11.2023, Online

2nd Destination Earth User eXchange

Destination Earth is a European Commission initiative to develop an accurate digital model of the Earth on a global scale that will monitor, simulate and predict the interaction between natural phenomena and human activities.
13.-14.11.2023, Bonn, DE

Innovate Europe's Healthcare

The European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) 2024 Health Summit is your chance to take part in the future of European healthcare. More than 100 members of the healthcare innovation community will come together to discuss Europe's biggest healthcare challenges. There will be pitches, keynote speakers, partnering and networking. Register today!
18.-19.04.2024, Rotterdam, NL

Swiss Robotics Day 2023