An agreement has now been signed between the EU and Switzerland, enabling the country to once again participate in Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, and the Euratom research and training programmes on the same basis as members states.

Switzerland previously participated in the EU’s research programmes, but political disagreements saw the country lose its associated status in July 2021. The inability to take leading roles in major international collaborations and the loss of networking opportunities was widely viewed as detrimental to Swiss science.

However, talks took place between March and December last year with the aim of negotiating a broad package to strengthen ties between Switzerland and the EU. Late in December, the European Commission announced that the talks had been successful.

Although the agreement was signed on 10 November by Ekaterina Zaharieva, commissioner for startups, research and innovation, and Guy Parmelin, Swiss federal councillor and head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, it will take effect retroactively as of 1 January 2025.

From next year, the agreement also sees Switzerland rejoin Fusion for Energy, the EU organisation that manages Europe’s contribution to Iter, the biggest scientific experiment on the path to fusion energy.

‘Today’s signature opens a new chapter in EU–Swiss relations, deepening our partnership across research, innovation, education and digital transformation,’ said Zaharieva, in a statement. ‘By joining Horizon Europe and key EU programmes, Switzerland and the EU are investing in skills, technology and science, building a more competitive and connected Europe.’