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 22^nd 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

Researchers and companies in the UK and Switzerland, as well as other countries associated to Horizon Europe gained access to a larger number of calls in areas like Quantum, AI, Space, etc., considered as “strategic” by the European Commission.

This is an excellent news for science in Europe as these technologies will be instrumental to the future of the European economy.

The Stick to Science campaign welcomes this assessment result by the European Commission.

The news from the UK Research Office: UK researchers access more quantum and space Horizon funding – UKRO and the Swiss information about it: Strategic Areas in Horizon package 2021–2027

Read the Science Business article here: UK and Switzerland to gain access to ‘strategic’ Horizon Europe calls | Science|Business

In a joint statement, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom have called on the European Commission to ensure the future Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10) remains a strong, inclusive, and stand-alone initiative. As non-EU countries associated with Horizon Europe, these countries emphasise the critical role of FP10 in fostering global competitiveness, research excellence, and international collaboration.

The signatories, including Hon Dr Shane Reti (New Zealand), Dr Martina Hirayama (Switzerland), and Lord Vallance (United Kingdom), urge for FP10 to prioritise research excellence, agility, and responsiveness to pressing challenges such as climate change and health crises. They stress the importance of bottom-up instruments like the ERC and EIC to support the entire innovation value chain.

Additionally, the statement highlights the need for financial transparency, noting that associated countries contribute nearly 30% of Horizon Europe’s budget. A clear, stand-alone FP10 would ensure accountability and secure sustained investment.

Crucially, the non-EU leaders advocate for international cooperation, saying FP10 must continue to facilitate global partnerships to address shared priorities such as sustainability, public health, and emerging technologies.

The statement concludes with a call to the European Commission to maintain FP10’s distinct identity, ensuring a robust framework for advancing science and innovation worldwide.

The statement can be downloaded here: https://era.gv.at/public/documents/5299/CH_NZ_UK_Joint_statement_of_non-EU_countries_on_FP10.pdf

Read the Science Business article about the statement: Associated countries call for ‘stand-alone’ FP10 | Science|Business

On 10 April 2025, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and State Secretary Martina Hirayama hold a press conference to confirm the approval by the Federal Council of the EU Programmes Agreement (EUPA). One day earlier the European Commission also presented EUPA to the EU Member States and recommended them to sign it.

The EU Programmes Agreement (EUPA) forms the legal basis for Switzerland’s participation in EU research and innovation programmes, namely Horizon Europe, Euratom, ITER, Digital Europe, Erasmus+ and EU4Health. The EUPA also paves the way for potential future participation in other EU programmes.

The agreement was iniitialled in Brussels on 2 April 2025. The agreement will come into force once the overall Switzerland-EU package has been ratified, but could already be applied provisionally after the signing, which is due to take place in November 2025.

Researchers and innovators in Switzerland have had access to almost all calls for proposals relating to Horizon Europe, the Euratom programme and the Digital Europe Programme since the beginning of 2025 as part of transitional arrangements. However, in order for them to receive their share of the project costs from the European Commission, a retroactive association as of 1 January 2025 is necessary. Once the agreement on Switzerland’s participation in EU programmes has been signed, Switzerland will transfer the mandatory contribution for participation in the 2025 programme year to the EU.

An important milestone has been reached for the association of Switzerland to Horizon Europe. The Stick to Science campaign warmly welcomes the Federal Council’s approval of the EU programmes agreement, as well as the European Commission’s recommendations to EU Member States to sign the EUPA.

Swiss communication: Switzerland–EU: Federal Council approves EU Programmes Agreement and press conference

EC communication: EU-Switzerland agreement on Switzerland’s participation in Union programmes – European Commission and Daily News 09 / 04 / 2025 (in French only)

All information for the participation of Switzerland in EU programmes can be found on the website of the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation: Horizon package 2021–2027

On 2 April, the chief negotiators from Switzerland and the European Union initialled an agreement on Switzerland’s participation in EU programmes. The agreement will come into force once the overall Switzerland-EU package has been ratified, but could already be applied provisionally after the signing, which is due to take place in November 2025.

Researchers and innovators in Switzerland have had access to almost all calls for proposals relating to Horizon Europe, the Euratom programme and the Digital Europe Programme since the beginning of 2025 as part of transitional arrangements. However, in order for them to receive their share of the project costs from the European Commission, a retroactive association as of 1 January 2025 is necessary. Once the agreement on Switzerland’s participation in EU programmes has been signed, Switzerland will transfer the mandatory contribution for participation in the 2025 programme year to the EU.

This is excellent news for science in Europe. The Stick to Science campaign applauds this positive development.

Swiss communication: Switzerland and EU initial agreement on programmes

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

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

The independent high level expert group on the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe, led by Portugal’s former science minister Manuel Heitor, has published its report on the mid-term review of Horizon Europe on 16 October 2024. The report provides 12 strategic recommendations on maximising the impact of EU Research and Innovation programmes in the future. 

The report stresses that “clear mutual benefit is to be gained from European collaborations with international partners including those in RD&I-intensive third countries such as Switzerland, newly associated countries in Horizon Europe such as the UK, Canada, New Zealand and South Korea, or emerging partners in the Global South.” (p. 106)

Traditionally “associated” countries such as the UK and Switzerland should continue to play a strong role. Manuel Heitor chair of the high-level group said: “We should give an enormous priority to that cooperation”.

The Stick to Science campaign is grateful to the 15 leading experts for their support for further EU collaboration with the UK and Switzerland.

Read the report here: Align, act, accelerate – Publications Office of the EU (europa.eu)

Several position papers on the 10th Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10) have been published in recent weeks by the UK and Swiss governments and national institutions, confirming the interest of both countries in participating in the EU Framework Programmes.

The Stick to Science campaign remains confident that the ongoing EU-Swiss negotiations will allow Switzerland to join Horizon Europe from 2025.

Swiss position paper on FP10 (17 June 2024)

The Swiss Position Paper on FP10 was prepared on the initiative of State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and in collaboration with Swiss R&I stakeholders.

The EU Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation are of high significance for Switzerland due to its extensive engagement history, shared principles and geographical centrality within Europe inevitably fostering strong scientific exchange and collaboration.

In order to build on shared knowledge and values, to realise the full potential of research and innovation in Europe and to attract new talent, Switzerland strongly advocates for the continuation of excellence and the proven bottom-up mono-beneficiary instruments in FP10. This is without denying the importance of collaborative R&I to tackle current and future global challenges. Strategic areas must be considered with a vision to promoting Europe’s competitiveness and global role in research and innovation by bringing on board like-minded excellent and trustful R&I partners. A strong FP10 will benefit Europe’s economy and society beyond the capacity of individual countries and should therefore remain at the heart of the EU’s political agenda.

Swiss National Science Foundation – SNSF position paper (18 Sept. 2024)

The SNSF calls for a strong framework programme that addresses global challenges and contributes to Europe’s prosperity. It defines five principles for the development of the programme (Excellence, Diversity, Openess, Dialogue and cooperation with the public and with politicians, Values) and addresses nine recommendations.

UK position paper – Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (26 Sept. 2024)

The paper sets out the UK government’s views on the 10th Research and Innovation Framework Programme (FP10). The UK have been associated to Horizon Europe since the start of 2024, and as such, we are following the developments around its successor programme with interest.

Universities UK International (UKKI) position paper on FP10 (02 Oct. 2024)

UUKI set out that the ambition that FP10 should be to ensure that European science, research and innovation remains at the very forefront of global developments, fostering excellence and collaboration in pursuit of shared goals. It should support the excellent frontier science and research that provides the basis for innovation. UUKI vision for FP10 brings up five main recommendations.

More reading about it:

• UK signals interest in joining FP10 | Science|Business (26.09.2024)

On 4 July, the European Commission and the European Research Council announced that researchers from Switzerland are eligible for the three ERC calls 2025, opening in 2024: ERC grants – Eligibility of Swiss host institutions | ERC (europa.eu)

The Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation confirmed this decision, extending the transitional arrangement foreseen in the Common Understanding endorsed by the Swiss Federal Council and the European Commission in November 2023.

Swiss researchers can now submit applications to the 3 following ERC calls: Starting Grant 2025 (opening on 10 July 2024), Synergy Grant 2025 (opening on 11 July 2024) and Consolidator Grant 2025 (opening on 26 September 2024): Horizon Europe: Extended access for researchers in Switzerland (admin.ch).

This is a positive step towards the association of Switzerland to Horizon Europe. However, the eligibility of Switzerland still needs to be extended to ALL calls from the work programmes 2025. Negotiations are underway to reach an association as soon as possible.

The Stick to Science campaign welcomes this positive step which strengthens Europe’s scientific capacity. It reiterates its call for Switzerland’s full association to EU R&I programmes as soon as possible.

On 18 March 2024, the European Research Council announced that the ERC Advanced Grants call under the 2024 Work programme is available for researchers based in Switzerland. The call has opened on 29 May and will close on 29 August 2024.

This is the result of President Ursula von der Leyen and President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd launching negotiations on 18 March as a follow-up of the adoption of the Swiss and EU negotiating mandates on 8 and 12 March 2024 respectively. The two mandates authorise Switzerland and the Commission to negotiate the package outlined in the Common Understanding endorsed by the Swiss Federal Council and the European Commission in November 2023.

For the next ERC 2025 calls, according to the Common Understanding, “the transitional arrangement [allowing the eligibility of Switzerland] should be extended to calls opening from the work programmes 2025 only if the agreement negotiated on Union programmes has been initialed by then.”

The Stick to Science campaign calls for a rapid clarification of the situation as the next calls will already open in July 2024 and for a full association of Switzerland as soon as possible.

Josep M. Garrell, EUA president and Luciana Vaccaro, swissuiversities president

The European University Association (EUA) and swissuniversities welcome the Swiss Federal Council and the European Commission’s respective adoption of final mandates for negotiations between Switzerland and the EU and call for a rapid association of Switzerland to Horizon Europe and Erasmus+.

“Research is best equipped to preserve and advance Europe’s prosperity, security and core values when it has reliable structures for collaborating with like-minded partners in Research & Innovation. This is especially true with partners that have an excellent research and education landscape and share the same core values in academic freedom, research ethics and democracy. With the current geopolitical climate and growing concerns around knowledge security, it is more important than ever to focus on what we have in common instead of what divides us.”

Read the full statement: EUA and swissuniversities call for rapid association of Switzerland to Horizon Europe and Erasmus+

On 18 March 2024, the European Research Council announced that the ERC Advanced Grant call under the 2024 Work programme is available for researchers based in Switzerland.

This is the result of President Ursula von der Leyen and President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd launching negotiations on 18 March as a follow-up of the adoption of the Swiss and EU negotiating mandates on 8 and 12 March 2024 respectively. The two mandates authorise Switzerland and the Commission to negotiate the package outlined in the Common Understanding endorsed by the Swiss Federal Council and the European Commission in November 2023.

For ERC grants, legal entities established in Switzerland will now be treated as entities established in an Associated Country the ERC Work Programme 2024 for calls opening in 2024 (ie for Advanced Grants). However, grant agreements can only be signed with successful applicants if the association agreement with Switzerland applies at that time.

More info under: ERC grants – launch of negotiations between the EU and Switzerland | ERC (europa.eu)