Confederation’s research and development spending to decline in 2021

In 2021, the Confederation spent CHF 2.2 billion to carry out or support research and development activities. Compared to 2019, the last observed year, this represents a decrease of CHF 413 million (-16%). The main reason for this is the non-association with the European Union (EU) research and innovation framework program 'Horizon Europe'. These results are based on the evaluation of administrative data by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) . After several years of growth, federal spending on research and development activities will fall by CHF 413 million (-16%) between 2019 and 2021 to CHF 2.2 billion. This decline in federal R&D spending in 2021 is mainly due to the cessation of payments to the European Commission for the Research and Innovation Framework Programme. Change of financing method The fact that Switzerland was not associated with the EU's research and innovation framework program, Horizon Europe in 2021, had a strong impact on the Confederation's R&D expenditures.