Switzerland and EU sign new declaration smoothing path to formal Horizon Europe association

Brussels and Bern have inked another deal that patches up their relationship following years of acrimonious negotiations, and confirms that Horizon Europe association should be fully signed off this year. 

On June 24, Maroš Šefčovič and Swiss foreign affairs chief Ignazio Cassis signed a joint declaration to increase cooperation.

The declaration is “another important step forward in EU-Switzerland relations,” said Šefčovič, the commissioner responsible for trade, following the signing. “Cooperation is already producing tangible results,” including in research, he added. 

Switzerland had been excluded from Horizon Europe since the country walked away from wider talks over its relationship with the EU in 2021.

But after restarting talks behind the scenes, Bern and Brussels finally struck a new deal in December last year, provisionally allowing Swiss researchers to once again apply normally for Horizon Europe grants from the beginning of 2025.

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Association must be fully signed off before Swiss winners can actually receive any money. But this week’s declaration confirms both sides still plan to sign on the dotted line this year.

“Once the agreement is signed – targeted for this year – Swiss participants will gain full access to EU funding,” said Šefčovič.

A Swiss referendum on the wider deal with the EU could still scupper research relations down the line. A “no” from Swiss voters should not impact Horizon Europe, but would instead torpedo Bern’s chances of joining the successor programme, which starts in 2028.