The news broke last week: Switzerland will once again join Horizon Europe, the world’s largest research and innovation program, from 2025. This return is part of a transitional agreement with the Union European Union, pending the ratification of bilateral agreements 3, which must be validated by popular vote.
Horizon Europe, with its colossal investments, allows participating countries to collaborate on crucial themes such as health, climate and technological innovation. The reintegration of Switzerland represents an excellent opportunity for Swiss researchers, universities and even students. This return also opens the door to Erasmus+, the European academic mobility program.
Astrid Epiney, former rector of the University of Fribourg, underlines the importance of this decision. “This measure makes it possible to participate in projects of international scope, and to develop networking. This aspect is very important in research.”
Strengthened international collaboration will allow Swiss universities to become more involved in cutting-edge research, while promoting exchanges between European students.
Institutional issues
However, this reintegration remains provisional. Switzerland will have to wait for the validation of bilateral agreements 3 for sustainable integration. These agreements, of capital importance for relations between Switzerland and the European Union, include institutional adjustments which aim to align Switzerland with the rules of the EU internal market.
“If we participate in someone else’s internal market, the compensation, in a way, is that we take over the rules of this internal market,” recalls Astrid Epiney.
Switzerland’s participation in Horizon Europe will have a cost: almost a billion francs per year. Experts estimate that this investment will be largely offset by the benefits of the funded projects.
RadioFr. – Writing / Web adaptation: Alexia Nichele
Swiss
