Securing access to research cooperation and funding programmes in Europe

Horizon Europe, the EU's next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, is due to start in 2021. Along with three other European initiatives, Horizon Europe forms the '2021-2027 Horizon package'. On 20 May 2020 the Federal Council adopted a dispatch on funding requesting Parliament to approve CHF 6,154 million in funding to secure Switzerland's participation in the Horizon package. Provided Parliament approves this funding, the Federal Council and the EU will be able to renew their bilateral research agreement and secureSwitzerland's continued and uninterrupted participation in the Horizon package as an associated state. The funds requested by the Federal Council cover the CHF 5,423 million in compulsory contributions Switzerland is expected to be required to make for full participation as an associated state in Horizon Europe, the Euratom programme complementing Horizon Europe, the new Digital Europe Programme, and the international ITER project (fusion research) up to 2027. A financial cushion of CHF 614 million has also been earmarked in case the compulsory contributions are higher than expected. The dispatch additionally includes funding of CHF 117 million for national support measures.