Although Switzerland is currently considered a non-associated third country, Swiss entities can participate in consortia for collaborative projects bringing their own funding provided by the State Secretariat of Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).
For all questions regarding the participation of Switzerland in the 2021 calls of the collaborative projects in Horizon Europe see updated documents provided by SERI:
- Information on the Swiss participation in the EU framework programmes for research and innovation (Horizon 2020 / Horizon Europe)
- Questions and answers on Switzerland’s participation in the European Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation (Horizon 2020 / Horizon Europe)
The important points are:
- Entities based in Switzerland can participate in Horizon Europe. However, as Switzerland is considered a non-associated third country, Swiss entities (including companies and SME) can apply only for those calls of Horizon Europe and related programmes and initiatives open to non-associated third country participation and must submit their proposals as participants from a non-associated third country.
- Legal entities who take part in collaborative projects open to non-associated third country participation, will receive funding via the SERI (in a similar way as during 2014–2016 period).
A corresponding financial guarantee, which can be shared with the consortium partners, is provided by SERI on its website. - In the new generation of EU Programmes for Research and Innovation, entities from non-associated third countries participate as ‘associated partners’ in the collaborative projects.
The budget of the associated partner is indicated in the project proposal, but not taken into account in the project’s EU contribution. - Participants from non-associated third countries cannot coordinate projects. They can lead work packages as any other participant.
Euresearch has prepared a factsheet about “Associated Partners”, and other documents which might be helpful.
In case of questions, do not hesitate to contact Euresearch or send us your Swiss participants!
