Formally sealed: Switzerland is back in the European research network

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and EU Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva signed the new EU program agreement in Bern today. Switzerland is thus fully associated with Horizon Europe, the Euratom program and the Digital Europe program with retroactive effect from 1 January 2025. This step marks an important milestone for Switzerland as a location for research and innovation and strengthens the country's international competitiveness in the long term.

Broad access to European research programs

With full association, researchers, companies and start-ups in Switzerland will once again have comprehensive access to the most important European research and innovation programs. Since January 1, 2025, they can once again participate directly in EU calls for proposals and apply for EU-funded grants.

This means that Switzerland is once again part of key strategic research areas, from artificial intelligence to quantum and space research. Swiss organizations can also submit projects in the Digital Europe Programme in the role of coordinator and enter into partnerships with European players. Calls for proposals in the areas of cybersecurity and semiconductors remain excluded for the time being and are open exclusively to EU and EEA member states.

From 2026, it is planned that Switzerland will once again participate in ITER and Fusion for Energy, where it will resume its previous membership under the same conditions as until 2020.

A win for science, business and society

The return to full association is a decisive step for the Swiss research and innovation community. It opens up access to renowned European funding instruments, including ERC grants, and facilitates international collaboration across disciplines and borders. In addition, the EU programs offer an important opportunity for the Swiss economy: they strengthen the innovative power of start-ups, SMEs and large companies, promote technology transfer and help ensure that Switzerland remains at the forefront of global competition.

Next steps: securing a stable partnership with the EU

The signing of the agreement marks a key milestone. It is now important to consolidate the political and legal foundations for a lasting partnership with the EU. This is the only way Switzerland can maintain its leading position as a leading innovation nation in the long term.

The planned Bilaterals III offer the chance to anchor research cooperation in the long term, an opportunity that should be seized.