On 14 July, the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation issued a statement clarifying that Switzerland will be treated as a non-associated third country in the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe, until further notice.

Although this statement comes as a disappointment to the research community in Europe, it offers some clarity to Swiss researchers in terms of their status and opportunities for participation in the first Horizon Europe call launched in June 2021. The latter can still participate in calls for proposals, albeit to a limited extent, and receive funding directly from the Swiss Confederation. However, participation in individual projects, in particular in future calls for proposals from the European Research Council, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, and the European Innovation Council, is no longer possible at this stage.

The Federal Council’s stated aim remains Switzerland’s full association to Horizon Europe. However, negotiations between Switzerland and the European Union in this regard are currently on hold. Switzerland’s full association to both Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ is strongly supported by ACA members. In their joint statement issued in June, ACA members call for the parties to resume negotiations on both programmes to support the development of the European Knowledge Area in its full entirety.