Switzerland will access European research funds. Von der Leyen: “We unite two powers”

Brussels – The European Union and Switzerland signed today (10 November) the agreement for Berne’s participation in Horizon Europe, the EU research programme. “A great day for science and for our EU-Swiss partnership,” exulted the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The federal state will also access funds for Digital Europe and the Euratom Research and Training programme. 

The agreement—which is part of a broader package negotiated between March and December 2024—was signed today in the Swiss capital by Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Start-ups, Research and Innovation, and Guy Parmelin, Swiss Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research. It comes into force immediately, retroactively as of 1 January 2025, and essentially puts Swiss researchers and organisations on an equal footing with those of EU Member States: they will be able to lead consortia, receive direct funding from the EU, and access all the instruments of the programmes. 

“We are uniting two research powers,” von der Leyen commented in a post on X. According to the European Commission, Switzerland’s membership in Horizon “strengthens Europe’s position as a global centre for high-impact scientific and technological development,” a note said. 

Brussels and Bern also finalised Switzerland’s membership in Fusion for Energy from 2026, which will allow Swiss researchers and industry to contribute to ITER, a major international project in the field of fusion energy, while association with Erasmus+ is planned for 2027. Finally, once the agreement between the two partners on health comes into force, Switzerland will be able to participate in the EU4Health program.

Switzerland is joining Horizon Europe!

We are uniting two research powerhouses.

For cutting-edge innovation that will boost our energy security, digital transformation, health and so much more.

Today is a good day for science, and for our EU-Switzerland partnership. pic.twitter.com/aY91Qgakn2

– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) November 10, 2025