Switzerland

With the country’s association to Horizon Europe stuck in political limbo, the new measures will support Swiss scientists to take part in EU research projects

There’s no sign of a breakthrough just yet, but pressure is building domestically for Bern to re-engage with Brussels in order to get association moving

Research commissioner Mariya Gabriel has linked re-admittance to ESFRI to wider relations between the EU and Switzerland. Some see this as a sign the body is too heavily controlled by the Commission

Despite hosting CERN, the country is being excluded from ESFRI because it has not associated to Horizon Europe. Swiss scientists call the decision “unreasonable”

But 213 researchers chose to stay put, giving up their awards. These have now been reallocated. Meanwhile, the UK has extended its safety net for ERC grant winners

Locked out of the EU research programme, Swiss universities are nervous of losing money set aside for association. Parliamentarians now want to protect this cash in a ‘Horizon Fund’

‘Political relationships can heal, but the impact of fragmenting research now will continue to be felt in the decades to come’ research leaders say as they call on Ursula von der Leyen to ‘safeguard vital science collaboration’

Both countries are still locked out of full participation. Here’s what their academics can still apply for, and the national guarantee schemes designed to keep them in Horizon networks.

It’s currently shut out of international research in Horizon Europe, but Switzerland is now a member of the €1.9B project to build the world’s largest telescope, becoming the first non-founder country to join the club