EU research program – No framework agreement: Switzerland excluded from “Horizon Europe” – News
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Because the framework agreement has failed, the EU is excluding Switzerland from the research program for at least 2021.
The failure of the framework agreement with the EU has concrete consequences for Swiss researchers: this year, Switzerland can only partially participate in the European research program “Horizon Europe” – it is now considered a non-associated third country.
The Swiss universities regret this, as Astrid Epiney, Vice President of Swissuniversities, the association of Swiss universities, says: “Overall, it is a very negative decision for Switzerland as a research and innovation location. The risk to its attractiveness that this assumes should not be underestimated. “
Exclusion from the “Champions League”
According to Epiney, there is a risk that Swiss researchers will lose touch with cutting-edge research in the medium term because they can no longer apply for individual grants. “This is a major disadvantage for the researchers. Because these scholarships are, so to speak, the Champions League in international tenders – and also important for recognition and networking. “
Medium and in many cases there is a risk of isolation – and that does not correspond to the nature of open research cooperation between the heads of the world.
It is also primarily about international cooperation, which is particularly important in research. And it’s less about money, because Switzerland is contributing this this year, as Philipp Langer from the State Secretariat for Research and Innovation SERI says: “In the short term, we can bridge most of the instruments with national funding. Medium and multiple there is the danger of isolation – and that does not correspond to the nature of the open research cooperation between the heads of the world. ”
For this year Switzerland is also paying for the research itself. Next year it would like to be fully involved in “Horizon Europe”, as Langer says: “The aim of the Federal Council is clearly to achieve an association with“ Horizon Europe ”as quickly and as fully as possible. If it didn’t work out this year, then next year. “
Cohesion Billion as an Arbitration Tool?
The second cohesion billion that Switzerland is supposed to pay the European Union plays an important role in this. Langer is forecasting that participation in “Horizon Europe” will work out if the payment is made to the EU. Negotiations could then begin. “On the Swiss side, we are ready to start negotiations. The mandate is in place and the financial resources have been spoken by Parliament. ”
EU research program can participate.
