Switzerland will rejoin Horizon Europe as of January 2025. This deal is part of the negotiations between the European Commission (EC) and Switzerland to bring their bilateral relationship to a new level.
On 20 December, the President of the EC Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd confirmed the completion of negotiations on a broad package of agreements that aim to deepen and expand the EU-Switzerland relationship.
This broad package includes a wide range of elements, incl. an agreement which will allow Switzerland to participate in several EU programmes open to association of third countries: Horizon Europe, Euratom Research and Training, ITER/F4E (Fusion for Energy), Digital Europe, Erasmus+ and EU4Health.
The EC will ensure transitional arrangements as of 1 January 2025 so that Swiss entities can apply before the formal association takes place.
This is excellent news for science in Europe. The Stick to Science campaign very much welcomes this positive development.
Next steps for the CH-EU deal: The political agreement still has to be approved by the Council of the EU and the Swiss parliament and most probably the Swiss population.
EC communication: EU and Switzerland successfully conclude negotiations on Horizon Europe and Euratom – European Commission
Swiss communication: Substantive conclusion of Swiss–EU negotiations and Federal Council takes note of substantive conclusion of Swiss–EU negotiations
All practical information for the participation in EU programmes can be found on the website of the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation: Horizon package 2021–2027