News
Prospect of Switzerland's association with Horizon Europe
22. Dec 2023
On 15 December, the European Commission and Switzerland concluded their exploratory talks on their bilateral relationship and are now ready to start formal negotiations in 2024.
The subject of the negotiations is a comprehensive package of agreements, which includes Switzerland's participation in EU programmes. According to a Common Understanding, Switzerland's association to the Horizon Europe, Digital Europe and Erasmus+ programmes is to be implemented as soon as possible. The EU is also holding out the prospect of a "transitional arrangement": similar to the United Kingdom, Swiss organisations could participate in proposals as participants of an associated country, i.e. as beneficiaries, even before association. Swiss participants would then be eligible to receive EU contributions, provided that the association has entered into force by the time the Grant Agreement is signed.
- The Transitional Arrangement could already come into effect for the European Research Council (ERC) for the ERC Advanced Grants call (opening on 29 May 2024). The prerequisite for the transitional arrangement with the ERC is that official negotiations on the agreements with Switzerland have begun.
- The Transitional Arrangement could also be extended to calls for proposals under the 2025 work programme in other areas of Horizon Europe as soon as the agreement on Switzerland's participation in Union programmes has been initiated.
Official negotiations on the package are expected to begin in spring 2024 and be finalised in the course of 2024.