Horizon Europe once again open to Swiss researchers
For the first time in three and a half years, researchers based in Switzerland can once again participate in almost all Horizon Europe calls. This is a transitional arrangement.
Now that Switzerland and the EU have reached the material conclusion of the negotiations regarding the Bilateral Agreements III, the European Commission has fully activated the transitional arrangement from 1 January 2025. This means that researchers at Swiss higher education institutions and other institutions can once again participate in almost all calls for proposals in Horizon Europe, the world's largest research and innovation programme. This transitional arrangement applies for the entire 2025 programme year.
Switzerland excluded for over three years
Since June 2021, Switzerland has been considered a non-associated third country in Horizon Europe. At that time, researchers in Switzerland were excluded from important parts of this programme, notably from the calls of the European Research Council (ERC grants) and the Marie Sklodowska-Curie (MSCA) programme.
Initially, the EU opened the ERC Advanced Grant to Swiss researchers in March 2024, followed by other important calls in July 2024 (Starting Grant 2025, Synergy Grant 2025, Consolidator Grant 2025). These transitional arrangements allowed researchers once again to apply for prestigious ERC grants in the 2025 programme year.
From the start of this year, Swiss researchers can once again apply for ERC calls and various programmes, including the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions. However, they remain excluded from the quantum and space research programmes.
Replacement measures rapidly put in place by the SNSF
Following the exclusion from Horizon Europe, the SNSF quickly launched replacement measures for researchers in Switzerland on behalf of the federal government. While they corresponded as closely as possible to the European calls, they could not fully replace them. Such measures will no longer be necessary, though existing SNSF grants from previous programme years will be continued.
The SNSF Starting Grants were a special case. This transitional measure was conceived as a fusion of the SNSF's own Eccellenza funding scheme and a replacement for ERC Starting Grants. The SNSF is now continuing the SNSF Starting Grants as a separate funding scheme that is no longer part of a transitional measure.
Goal remains full association
The opportunity to participate once again in almost all Horizon Europe calls and programmes is a decisive step towards ensuring that Switzerland retains its strong international position in research and innovation. Full association to Horizon Europe as soon as possible remains the goal. This is of central importance for Swiss research and the Swiss economy.