Study shows: EU research programs are lifesavers for Switzerland!

Study shows: EU research programs are lifesavers for Switzerland!

Switzerland's competitiveness and innovative strength are at stake. Current results of a study by scienceindustries demonstrate the significant added value that the EU research programs offer for Switzerland. International research collaboration enables Swiss researchers and companies to gain access to international networks and markets, which is crucial for the innovative strength of universities as well as for start-ups, spin-offs, SMEs and large companies. However, since Switzerland was excluded from the EU programs, access has been severely restricted, and no significant changes are expected until January 1, 2025.

To illustrate the problems, the study shows that transitional and supplementary federal funding can hardly compensate for the loss of international integration. Particular challenges arise for young scientists who find it difficult to gain a foothold in international projects, which often leads to them moving to EU universities. The visibility and networking of Swiss researchers also suffer significantly, as they are excluded from management positions in EU collaborative projects.

Consequences for companies and start-ups

The effects are also noticeable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Highly specialized, export-oriented SMEs in particular benefit from EU programs that offer them access to research and international partnerships. One example is the Geneva-based company ID Quantique, which specializes in quantum technology solutions. With 100 employees, ID Quantique was a partner in the EU research project Open Quantum Key Distribution (OPENQKD), which was funded with 15 million euros. However, restrictions on participation in EU programs have already led to a loss of funding for two research staff.

As part of the EU Horizon 2020 program, 25% of funding went to the private sector, with 15.4% going to SMEs. Large companies use the EU programs to further develop their products and processes and emphasize the importance of smaller companies. This collaboration is not only crucial for the companies themselves, but also helps to strengthen Switzerland as a location for innovation. There is a need for political action to ensure stable framework conditions in research and development.

The EU framework programs: A central instrument

The EU framework programs for research and innovation are key EU instruments for science and innovation policy. The current program, “Horizon Europe”, runs from 2021 to 2027 with a budget of around 95.5 billion euros. Switzerland participated in the framework programs with limited rights until January 1, 2004 and was partially associated with Horizon 2020 until the end of 2016. Switzerland is currently participating in Horizon Europe as a non-associated third country.

By October 2023, Switzerland has already recorded 1,144 project participations and funding commitments amounting to 564 million francs in Horizon Europe. These figures illustrate the ongoing interest and commitment of Swiss researchers. The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) represents Switzerland in the EU framework programs and defines strategic measures to ensure a stable research and innovation landscape.

In summary, a stable partnership with the EU is essential to secure Switzerland's innovation position. The Bilaterals III offer the opportunity to permanently anchor research cooperation and are an important step towards restoring meaningful access to the EU research programs, which are crucial for the country's competitiveness.

The challenges and opportunities of international research collaboration are diverse and must be actively addressed in the interests of a sustainable research location. Further information can be found on the websites of economiesuisse and SERI.