EU Framework Programmes

Horizon Europe (2021-2027)

Negotiations on Switzerland's association to Horizon Europe officially began on 18 March 2024.

As a transitional arrangement for programme year 2024, researchers in Switzerland can participate in the "ERC Advanced Grant 2024" call. Due to the progress made in the negotiations, the EU decided in July 2024 that researchers in Switzerland can participate in the "ERC Starting Grant 2025", "ERC Consolidator Grant 2025" and "ERC Synergy Grant 2025" calls. For all other calls, researchers in Switzerland currently continue to participate as Associated Partners and are funded directly by the Swiss government.

Applicants are advised to contact the Grants Office for further information.

Horizon 2020 (2014-2020)

Horizon Europe, the 9th EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, began on 1 January 2021 and will run for 7 years with a budget of approx. €95.5 billion. The programme’s main aims are to tackle climate change, to help achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and to boost the EU’s competitiveness and growth.

The structure is centered around: 3 pillars:

1. Excellent Science – "Bottom-up" basic research in all fields; researcher training and mobility; research infrastructures

2. Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness – "Top-down" collaborations in health, culture, security, digital, space, climate, energy, mobility, food, agriculture, environment

3. Innovative Europe – Market-creating breakthrough innovation; future and emerging technologies; SME finance

Horizon Europe also includes cross-cutting activities to widen participation and strengthen the European Research Area, as well as Missions a portfolio of interdisciplinary actions in 5 areas: Adaptation to climate change, Healthy oceans and waterways, Climate-neutral smart cities, Cancer, Soil health and food.

There are also a large range of European Partnership initiatives in a variety of thematic areas.

Further information can be found on the website of Euresearch, the Swiss information network. Euresearch provides information on Horizon Europe calls for proposals and regularly organizes events throughout Switzerland.

Horizon 2020, the 8th EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, ran for 7 years and had a budget of around €75 billion. It was structured around 3 priorities:

1. Excellent Science – "Bottom-up" basic research in all fields; future and emerging technologies; researcher training and mobility
2. Industrial Leadership – Breakthrough technologies in ICT, nano- and biotechnology, space, advanced materials, manufacturing and processing; SME support; risk financing
3. Societal Challenges – "Top-down" collaborations in health, food, agriculture and aquatic resources, energy, transport, environment, inclusive societies, security

It also included cross-cutting activities (Science with and for Society, Spreading Excellence and Widening Participation), EURATOM and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.

Further information can be found on the website of Euresearch, the Swiss information network.