Switzerland passes partial-association deal
The Swiss Government has approved a deal permitting the country’s partial association in Horizon 2020.
The vote by the Federal Council confirms Switzerland is able to fully benefit from funding under the Excellent Science pillar, and in particular, the highly sought grants from the European Research Council. Yet the Switzerland remains a third country participant in regards to the Industrial Leadership and Societal Challenges pillars.
The deal also see Switzerland having full participation in the cross-cutting objective of ‘Spreading Excellence and Widening Participation’, which focuses on the teaming and twinning funding instruments. The country is already fully participating in EURATOM and ITER projects.
The agreement covers Switzerland’s partial association to Horizon 2020 between 15 September 2014 and 31 December 2016, when it is hoped an agreement will be struck with the European Commission for the country’s full participation in Horizon 2020. However, consensus will need to be found between Bern and Brussels regarding the issue of the free movement of persons. In February, Swiss citizens voted in favour of reintroducing annual immigration quotas, leading to the country’s downgrade to a third country participant in Horizon 2020. The deal passed by the Federal Council provides for Switzerland’s full association between 2017 and 2020.
