Since March, the Federal Council has been negotiating participation in Horizon
Published: Thursday, Jul 4th 2024, 10:30
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Researchers in Switzerland have been excluded from EU programs for several years. With the start of negotiations between the EU Commission and the Federal Council, researchers in Switzerland can once again participate in parts of the Horizon Europe research program.
Since the breakdown of negotiations on a framework agreement in May 2021, the European Union (EU) has refused to allow Switzerland to be associated with cooperation programs in the areas of education, research and innovation. The two partners have now been holding talks again since March to regulate future bilateral relations. This also includes Switzerland's participation in EU programs.
In the above-mentioned areas as well as in youth, sport and culture, among others, Switzerland is to be enabled to participate "more systematically" in Union programs, as stated in the Common Understanding. The understanding forms the basis for the negotiations. The document also mentions a transitional solution in the area of research.
Transitional solution with conditions
The Horizon Europe research program helps with networking between researchers in Europe and the associated countries as well as with the funding of projects. A total of 95.5 billion euros is available for the 2021-2027 period, as can be seen on the EU Commission's website.
Researchers in Switzerland have been able to apply for certain so-called grants (subsidies) since May 29. According to the EU Commission, they will be treated in the same way as researchers from an associated country. This is possible due to the start of negotiations.
However, Switzerland remains a non-associated country, which is important for the financing of the projects. The projects would be financed by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). The Federal Council made CHF 600 million available for this purpose in April. As long as Switzerland is not an associated country, funding will continue to be provided by the Confederation.
The transitional solution will be extended to 2025 if the agreement negotiated for the Union programs is initialled by then, according to the joint understanding. However, the EU member states stated in their mandate that the EU Commission could only conclude negotiations in this area once certain other negotiations had also been concluded.
Federal Council takes a step back
For the Federal Council, the negotiated text should in particular provide for Switzerland's participation in Horizon Europe and the Erasmus+ education program, as it states in its mandate. Participation in other programs, such as "Galileo" in the field of satellite navigation, could be regulated by means of an additional protocol.
In this context, it is important for the EU that Switzerland participates financially in the programs. According to the EU mandate, a "fair balance should be struck between Switzerland's contributions and the benefits it derives from participating in the Union's programs".
As a result of this financial contribution, the Federal Council has decided not to participate in the EU's Copernicus earth observation program for the time being. The federal government justified its decision at the beginning of May by stating that the federal government's tight financial situation would not allow it. Talks on participation in Copernicus were agreed in the joint understanding between the two partners.
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