Policy background
Switzerland is an important partner of the European Union (EU) in research and innovation. Researchers from Swiss universities and the private sector have participated in the research and innovation framework programmes (FP) since 1987. In the same year, the EU-Switzerland S&T Agreement entered into force. Switzerland has been strongly involved in most European R&I programmes, including CERN, the European Space Agency, COST and EUREKA. It was also associated to the Euratom Research and Training Programme 2020-2024 and participated in the activities carried out by the European Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion for Energy for 2014-2020, where it is set to participate again as of 2026.
Association to Horizon Europe and Euratom R&T
The EU-Swiss Agreement on Switzerland’s participation in Union Programmes was signed in Bern by Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation, and Guy Parmelin, Swiss Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research.
Funding opportunities
Switzerland officially joined Horizon Europe and the Euratom Research & Training programme on 10 November 2025 with the signing of the Association Agreement unlocking new opportunities for scientific collaboration between EU and Swiss researchers and innovators. As a result of association, Swiss entities have access to all parts of the Horizon Europe programme on similar terms with EU Member States. They can now join and/or lead research consortia and be funded directly from the programme for all calls from the 2025 budget onwards, enabling them to contribute to cutting-edge research and tackle global challenges as well as engage in initiatives supporting national research reforms and institutional capacity-building.
Projects and results
Research project database (CORDIS)
The Commission's primary portal for results of EU-funded research projects. Here you can find projects related to Switzerland.
Contact
National Contact Points
The National Contact Points (NCPs) provide guidance, practical information and assistance on all aspects of participation in Horizon Europe.
European Commission
RTD-03-ASSIST
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (DG Research and Innovation unit 03: International cooperation)