The Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) has published a new impact study demonstrating how the EU Framework Programmes support cutting-edge innovation and strengthen international partnerships.

The aim of the study was to examine the impact of the Swiss  participation on research promotion, knowledge and skills generation, scientific cooperation networks, the economy and employment, and wider society.

The study concludes that EU framework programmes significantly bolster Switzerland's research and innovation system by enhancing competitiveness, fostering international knowledge exchange, and providing access to critical infrastructure and expertise that fill structural gaps. Beyond mere financial support, these programmes create lasting value through stable networks, market access, and crucial innovation drivers for start-ups that might otherwise delay or fail to launch. However, while the benefits are substantial, the study notes that these effects cannot be exclusively attributed to the programmes nor compared directly with other funding models. Ultimately, continuous participation is identified as essential to maintain these advantages, as any interruption would undermine Switzerland's long-term competitiveness and positioning in strategic future sectors.