As from February 2014, negotiations on Swiss participation in the European education programme ‘Erasmus+’ were suspended, now Switzerland has the status of a third country or ‘partner country’ and can only participate in a reduced number of activities. 

After a decision of the Swiss Federal Council on 19 September to pursue interim solution for Switzerland’s involvement in Erasmus+, a new set of measures have been put in place and will be applied in 2015 and 2016 unless Switzerland’s status in Erasmus+ changes. 

For the higher education mobility activities (Key Action 1: mobility for study, traineeship  and staff) the main features are:

• Swiss higher education institutions can apply for Swiss funding of outgoing and incoming with any Erasmus+ programme country;
• Traineeships in Switzerland can only be funded if they are coordinated by a Swiss universities;
• Student mobility for studies and staff mobility for teaching are based on inter-institutional agreements between Swiss and European higher education institutions;
• In 2014, the amount awarded to students coming to Switzerland for study purposes is between CHF 360 and CHF 420 (approximately EUR 300-350) while for traineeships is CHF 420 (approximately EUR 350). The amount for 2015 has not yet been set.

For cooperation projects (Key Action 2: Strategic Partnerships, Knowledge Alliances and Sport Partnerships), Swiss higher education institutions can participate in two ways:

• As ‘associated partners’ within the framework of the interim solution, by applying for national funding;
• As ‘full partners’ (benefitting from Erasmus + funding  on the condition that they bring added value to the project.

More information: Ch Foundation