Switzerland has formally joined Horizon Europe, the European Union’s main research and innovation framework, along with Digital Europe and the Euratom Research and Training Programme. The agreement, signed in Bern by European Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva and Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, grants Swiss researchers the same rights and responsibilities as their EU counterparts, including access to funding, project leadership opportunities, and participation across all thematic pillars.

The accord, which takes effect on 1 January 2025, restores Switzerland’s full association after several years of partial participation. It enables Swiss institutions to collaborate on EU-funded projects in critical fields such as climate technology, digital transformation, and energy security, reinforcing cross-border scientific and technological cooperation.

The deal also opens the door for Switzerland to join Fusion for Energy in 2026, integrating its research teams into ITER, the world’s largest international fusion-energy initiative. Further steps include Swiss participation in Erasmus+ from 2027 and EU4Health once a separate health cooperation agreement is finalised.

Why does it matter?

The European Commission described the move as part of a broader package to deepen EU–Swiss relations and modernise existing cooperation frameworks in science, technology, and education. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to long-term collaboration, aiming to strengthen Europe’s position as a global leader in research and innovation.