HomeNews & EventsSwitzerland extends funding scheme for Swiss Horizon Europe participants

Switzerland extends funding scheme for Swiss Horizon Europe participants

16 January 2023 | Swiss researchers continue to see their participation in EU projects financially covered. While Switzerland remains non-associated to Horizon Europe for the time being, the Swiss government has extended its guarantee to provide funds for all 2023 calls of Horizon Europe. This allows, for instance, colleagues from EPFL to join respective consortia. 

The funding will be directly paid by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) to the Swiss participant in a project assessed as eligible for funding by the European Commission.

Which calls for proposals are open to Swiss researchers?

Swiss entities can apply for any calls in Horizon Europe and related programmes and initiatives that are open for non-associated third country participation. This applies to most collaborative projects. Mono-beneficiary funding schemes like the ERC are usually not open to third-country participation. Note however that applications for ERC Synergy Grants are possible: Swiss researchers that are part of a group of Principal Investigators (PIs) will be funded by the European Commission. 

Please also note that Swiss researchers, while not allowed to coordinate projects, are entitled to assume scientific leadership and e.g. lead work packages.

EPFL participation in Horizon Europe so far

To date, EPFL participates in 41 collaborative projects (RIA and IA) and in 6 MSCA Doctoral Networks funded under Horizon Europe, following the above-mentioned scheme.

Switzerland no longer part of  ESFRI

Due to the country’s non-association to Horizon Europe, Switzerland has recently been excluded from the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI), the body responsible for coordinating scientific infrastructure in Europe. Read more about the implications for Swiss researchers in this Science|Business article.

Interested to participate in an EU-funded project?

If you are working at EPFL and want to join a proposal or if you are thinking about including colleagues from EPFL in your proposal, feel free to contact

or the Liaison Officer of your university: