ERC grants open to Swiss researchers as Horizon talks continue

Researchers based in Switzerland can take part in European Research Council calls opening in 2024, the European Commission has announced, as the country moves closer towards rejoining the Horizon Europe framework programme.

In a press release, the European Commission announced the launch of negotiations on a “broad package of measures” designed to “deepen and expand” Switzerland’s relationship with the European Union, with potential association to Horizon Europe among the issues at play.

Switzerland has been excluded from the Horizon scheme since 2021 after negotiations with the EU broke down. In November, European research commissioner Iliana Ivanova confirmed the beginning of “exploratory talks” with Switzerland, with the goal of re-establishing association to the programme.

Switzerland-based applicants for ERC grants “will be treated as if Switzerland is an associated country from admissibility and eligibility to evaluation”, the European Commission stated in the press release. The signing of grant agreements, however, will depend on the success of Swiss-EU negotiations.

Posting on social media, the Swiss National Science Foundation commended the “major milestone” for researchers in Switzerland, calling involvement with Horizon Europe “key for Swiss research”.

The Stick to Science initiative, which campaigns for “an open and inclusive European Research Area”, called the move “excellent news for science in Europe”, while ETH Zurich president Joël Mesot described it as “encouraging”.  

In December, university groups comprising 61 research-intensive institutions across Switzerland, Germany, France and the UK issued a joint statement in support of Switzerland’s bid to rejoin Horizon Europe, calling on the European Commission and the Swiss Federal Council to “work together” in a “spirit of flexibility of compromise”.

The university groups – Switzerland’s swissuniversities and Chamber of Universities, Germany’s U15, France’s Udice and the UK’s Russell Group – described Switzerland as a “research powerhouse”, continuing: “Given the multifaceted geopolitical and environmental challenges we face, Switzerland’s association is crucial to allow Europe to remain globally competitive and shape its own future successfully and on its own terms.”

Hopes of a Swiss return to Horizon were boosted in September when the UK rejoined the programme, with prime minister Rishi Sunak announcing a “bespoke deal” allowing the UK to become a fully associated member.

emily.dixon@timeshighereducation.com