Swiss Participation in Horizon 2020 - latest developments

On Wednesday, 26 February 2014, the European Commission announced that until further notice Switzerland will be considered as a Third Country for the H2020 calls that are currently open for submission.

In reaction to this announcement, the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) published a statement listing the concrete implications of the new situation as well as their recommendations on how to proceed, especially with regard to proposals that are currently being prepared.

Petition for Swiss Participation in H2020

Swiss ERC grant holders launched a petition urging Swiss parliamentarians and EU officials to overcome the obstacles to allow Switzerland to participate fully in European research framework programme Horizon 2020.
This petition has our full support.
The free movement of persons is a prerequisite for realising the circulation of knowledge and fostering excellent science. The personal and cultural exchange coming along with the scientific collaboration strongly contributes to mutual understanding and tolerance.

Thanks for your kind consideration.

Adoption of the initiative against mass immigration and its impact on future cooperation in research and education

The Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) provides regular updates on the impact of the adoption of the initiative against mass immigration on future cooperation in research and education between Switzerland and the EU.

Basically, the facts as of 17 Feb 2014 are: The bilateral agreement between Switzerland and the EU regarding Switzerland's participation as an associated state in the EU's 7th Framework Programme (FP) remains unconditionally valid until all projects under FP7 have run their course. The funding by the European Commission of Swiss project holders in FP7 is assured until the end of the research project.

Negotiations with the EU with regard to H2020 and Erasmus+ association, which were at an advanced stage, are currently suspended following adoption of the initiative; the EU cites the principle of the free movement of persons as a key element of the bilateral agreements and is waiting to see how Switzerland proceeds in terms of extending the freedom of movement to Croatia.

For more information please refer to the SERI website.

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