European policy
The SNSF supports Swiss-based researchers in their collaborations in Europe and strengthens their involvement in international research networks. Since 1 January 2025, Switzerland is once again fully associated to Horizon Europe.
Switzerland lies at the heart of Europe – closely intertwined with its neighbouring countries in scientific, economic and cultural terms. This strong interconnectedness is clearly evident in research: Many researchers funded by the SNSF collaborate with European partners. Within these networks, they develop ideas and exchange knowledge. Together, they are tackling global issues such as biodiversity, clean energy, antimicrobial resistance and water supply.
The SNSF is committed to strengthening Switzerland’s position as a centre of research and supports scientific cooperation within Europe with various measures. It concludes agreements with partner organisations, facilitates cross-border projects and promotes international networking among researchers. These measures include Weave, Lead Agency and the International Co-Investigator Scheme as well as the European Partnerships. The SNSF also participates in COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology), a programme that supports the development of research networks in Europe.
More than 60 percent of SNSF-funded research involving international partners is carried out in collaboration with European partners. Shared values, as well as geographical and cultural proximity, facilitate this networking.
Full association to Horizon Europe
The most important European programme for researchers in Switzerland remains Horizon Europe, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. Switzerland has been fully associated to Horizon Europe, the Euratom programme and the Digital Europe programme since 1 January 2025. From 2026, it is also taking part in the ITER fusion reactor project. Researchers based in Switzerland can participate in these programmes. The renewed full association strengthens Switzerland’s position as a centre of research and innovation and increases the international competitiveness of research. The agreement with the EU also paves the way for association to Erasmus+ and EU4Health.
SNSF measures taken prior to full association
During the period of Switzerland's third-country status in the Horizon Europe programme (2021–2024), the SNSF implemented transitional measures as mandated by the federal government. They corresponded as closely as possible to the European calls but could not replace them. The SNSF has discontinued the transitional measures following full association.
The SNSF Starting Grants represent a special case. This transitional measure was conceived as a merger of the SNSF’s Eccellenza funding scheme with a substitute for the ERC Starting Grants. The SNSF is now continuing the SNSF Starting Grants as a separate funding scheme that is no longer part of the transitional measures.
The significance of the European framework programmes for Switzerland
European programmes such as Horizon Europe are crucial for many researchers in Switzerland. They facilitate collaborations and enhance international visibility.
Horizon Europe is the world’s largest research framework programme. It offers researchers in Switzerland an exceptional forum for collaboration within Europe and beyond.
The programmes enable projects that would not be feasible in individual countries. The best ideas and projects are compared and selected through international competition.
Grants from the European Research Council (ERC) are particularly prestigious – they open up significant career opportunities for researchers.
Strengthening international networking
Horizon Europe has become more global in recent years: Countries such as New Zealand, Canada, the UK, Japan and Korea have joined, creating new global networks. The SNSF supports researchers’ networking within these structures and also promotes cooperation outside the European framework programmes. This increases the attractiveness of Switzerland as a centre of research and strengthens researchers’ competitiveness.
In addition to providing financial support, the SNSF is involved in European forums such as Science Europe and works closely with partner organisations. Together with the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and Innosuisse, it runs the SwissCore information and liaison office in Brussels, which provides information on developments in Europe and facilitates dialogue with key players.
This is how the SNSF helps to ensure that researchers based in Switzerland are effectively represented in international networks.
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