On 10 November 2025, the agreement on Switzerland’s association with the EU programmes (EUPA), along with the associated protocols on education, research, innovation and health, was signed in Berne.
Signing the EUPA ensures Switzerland’s retroactive association with Horizon Europe, Euratom and Digital Europe with effect from 1 January 2025, as well as its association with ITER from 2026 and Erasmus+ from 2027.
The agreement was signed by EU Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva and Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin. Both “stressed the importance of Swiss-EU cooperation for all of Europe as a location for education, research and innovation in the face of global competition”.
The EUPA provides the roof for the participation of Switzerland in selected EU programmes based on mutual interest. It forms part of a broader package of agreements between the European Commission (EC) and Switzerland, which aim to strengthen and expand the relationship between the EU and Switzerland.
The Stick to Science campaign has been calling for the association of Switzerland in Horizon Europe since February 2022. The campaign applauds this positive outcome and thanks all the actors who supported this crucial achievement. Switzerland is the 22nd third country to be associated with Horizon Europe. This is an excellent development for science at international level.
EC communication: Switzerland joins Horizon Europe (10.11.2025) and Council greenlights Switzerland’s association to EU programmes – Consilium (21.10.2025)
Swiss communication: Switzerland and EU sign agreement on Swiss participation in EU programmes (10.11.2025)
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