Switzerland joins Horizon Europe and other key EU research and innovation programmes

The European Union and Switzerland have signed the agreement on Switzerland’s participation in Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, and the Euratom Research & Training (R&T) programme. The agreement places Swiss researchers and organisations on the same footing as those in EU Member States: they may lead consortia, receive direct EU funding, and access all thematic pillars and instruments of the programmes. It opens new capacity for pooling talent, research infrastructures and industrial capabilities across borders, accelerating progress on climate solutions, digital transformation, advanced manufacturing, health innovation and energy security. This step strengthens Europe’s position as a global centre for high-impact scientific and technological development.

The agreement was signed today in Bern by Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, and Guy Parmelin, Swiss Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, and takes effect retroactively as of 1 January 2025. It also establishes Switzerland as a member of Fusion for Energy starting in 2026, which will allow Swiss researchers and industry to contribute to ITER, the world’s most significant international fusion energy project. Association to Erasmus+ is planned for 2027. In addition, once the Agreement on Health enters into force, Switzerland will be able to participate in the EU4Health programme.

Background

The agreement on Switzerland’s participation in European Union programmes is part of a broader package of instruments that aims to consolidate, deepen and expand the relationship between the EU and Switzerland. The European Commission and Switzerland negotiated this package between March and December 2024. Following the signature of the remaining agreements in the package, the EU and Switzerland will proceed with ratification of the entire package, including the Agreement on Switzerland’s participation in European Union Programmes, in accordance with their respective procedures. The successful completion of the ratification process is essential to guarantee long-term cooperation in research and all other areas covered by the package, while modernising a foundational component of the strong EU-Switzerland relationship.

The EU remains fully committed to the successful completion of this process, and to further strengthening its partnership with Switzerland.

More information: European Commission