Recommendations regarding Horizon 2020

It is as yet unclear what consequences the adoption of the initiative against mass immigration will have on future cooperation between Switzerland and the EU in the areas of research and education.

The facts as they stand are as follows:

FP 7

The bilateral agreement between Switzerland and the EU regarding Switzerland's participation as an associated state in the EU's 7th Framework Programme (FP) remains unconditionally valid until all projects under FP7 have run their course.

The funding by the European Commission of Swiss project holders in FP7 is assured until the end of the research project.

This applies in particular for the FET flagship Human Brain Project, which is being funded in the ramp-up phase until spring 2016 from the FP7 budget.

Horizon 2020

The Federal Council and parliament have also established the conditions necessary for associated participation in the EU's 8th Framework Programme for Research and Innovation from 2014-2017, better known as Horizon 2020 (negotiating mandate; financing credit).

Negotiations with the EU with regard to association, which were at an advanced stage, are currently suspended.

Until the matter has been resolved the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation recommends Swiss researchers to continue to respond to and actively participate in open calls for Horizon 2020.

Due to the potential uncertainty regarding Switzerland's future participation status in Horizon 2020, it is advisable to plan for the possibility of Switzerland's non-association (and consequently third country status) as follows:

• Potential Swiss project partners should make sure that the proposal respects the required minimum number of consortium partners from three institutions from three different EU member states or associated states (not including Switzerland).
• It appears that under current regulations projects may be coordinated by third country participants; Swiss project partners may therefore continue to play a coordinating role.
• For individual projects such as grants from the European Research Council or Marie Skłodowska Curie actions, SERI recommends that project submissions be prepared and executed in accordance with the requirements and deadlines of the European Commission.

SERI is working with the EU on a solution - by September 2014 (when the first consortium contracts on research projects are to be signed - which would enable Swiss researchers to participate in Horizon 2020. A solution should also be found for individual projects.

SERI will provide regular updates regarding the status of Horizon 2020.

The complete paper with recommendations can be downloaded below.