Horizon Europe
Switzerland is currently considered a non-associated third country in Horizon Europe.
For information on the Swiss participation in the new generation of EU programmes, please consult the website of the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation: www.horizon-europe.ch
The website provides official information, including Q&A on the Swiss participation in the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and other related programmes and initiatives (Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, partnerships, Digital Europe Programme, Euratom Programme and ITER).
Switzerland remains committed to its goal of a full association to Horizon Europe and other related programmes and initiatives for the period 2021-2027 as soon as possible.
Horizon 2020
Since 1 January 2017, Swiss researchers and institutions have been able to participate in all parts of Horizon 2020.
The negotiations with the European Union on the association of Switzerland to Horizon 2020 had been suspended following the adoption of the popular vote against mass immigration on 9 February 2014. Meanwhile, an agreement with the European Commission (EC) providing a partial and provisory association to Horizon 2020 had been negotiated. The agreement offered companies, researchers and institutions in Switzerland access to priorities ‘Excellent Science’ and ‘Spreading Excellence and Widening Participation’ as well as to activities falling under EURATOM and International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) until the end of 2016.
The condition to be fully associated to Horizon 2020 as of 1 January 2017 was the ratification of the protocol extending the free movement of persons to Croatia. With this condition fulfilled, Swiss researchers and institutions can since 1 January 2017 fully participate in all parts of Horizon 2020, under the same conditions as Member States of the EU and other Associated Countries.
More information:
- Official information on Switzerland’s participation in Horizon 2020 by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation
- EC information on Swiss participation in Horizon 2020
Erasmus+ (2021-2027)
Switzerland is currently considered as non-associated third country (Partner Country) in the EU programme Erasmus+ (2021-2027).
The status of ‘Partner Country’ implies that Swiss institutions are not eligible for Erasmus+ mobility projects and that funded participation in cooperation projects is restricted to certain actions only and subject to specific conditions. However, under the new programme generation, institutions in associated ‘Programme Countries’ can use up to 20% of their awarded funds for outgoing mobility [valid for higher education and accredited vocational education and training (VET) mobility projects] to any Partner Country, including Switzerland.
Negotiations on Switzerland’s association to the previous generation of Erasmus+ (2014-2020) were suspended following the adoption of the federal popular initiative against mass immigration in February 2014. In order to guarantee the continuation of Swiss participation in European mobility activities at all educational levels, a transitional solution financed by the Swiss government, the Swiss programme for Erasmus+, was set in place. The Swiss solution supports mobility between Switzerland and Erasmus+ Programme Countries in both directions (outgoing and incoming). Continued funding for the Swiss solution for the period 2021-2024 was approved in December 2020.
Movetia is Switzerland’s national agency for exchange and mobility and responsible for the implementation of the Swiss programme for Erasmus+. The agency publishes calls for proposals and provides information on application procedures and specific participation conditions.
The Swiss Federal Council supports Switzerland’s association to Erasmus+ (2021-2027) and will take up formal negotiations with the EU as soon as possible.
For more information on the Swiss participation in Erasmus+, please consult the website of the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation.