"No 10 Million Switzerland" initiative: potential consequences for Swiss research
The SNSF fears that acceptance of the initiative in mid-June could ultimately lead to Switzerland’s exclusion from Horizon Europe once again. This would be a significant step backwards for Swiss research and for the economy.
The popular initiative "No 10 Million Switzerland" calls for the resident population in Switzerland to be limited to ten million people before 2050. To achieve this goal, the termination of the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons with the EU is envisaged if necessary. Voters will decide on the initiative on 14 June 2026.
The SNSF is concerned that the adoption of the initiative could ultimately lead to another exclusion from Horizon Europe, the world’s largest research programme. This would be a significant step backwards for Switzerland as a centre of research as well as for the innovation-based Swiss economy. "Scientific cooperation with Europe and access to Horizon Europe are essential if Switzerland is to maintain its leading position in research and innovation," emphasises Torsten Schwede, President of the Research Council.
Since January 2025, researchers in Switzerland can once again provisionally participate in virtually all Horizon Europe, Digital Europe and Euratom calls. This was made possible by the material conclusion of the negotiations with the EU on the bilateral agreements III as well as the signing of the EU Programmes Agreement (EUPA) in November 2025. Bilateral III’s aim is to stabilise and further develop relations between Switzerland and the EU.
Initiative once again jeopardises Switzerland’s participation in Horizon Europe
This package includes the EU Programmes Agreement (EUPA). It forms the legal basis for Switzerland’s participation in ongoing programmes such as Horizon Europe and lays the foundation for potential future participation in other EU programmes. EUPA makes Switzerland’s participation in EU programmes dependent on mobility and non-discrimination against EU citizens. A termination of the free movement of persons, as demanded by the initiative under certain circumstances, could lead to Switzerland being excluded from EU research programmes once again.
This would also jeopardise access to international networks and cooperation projects. Horizon Europe has become more global in recent years: Countries such as New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan and Korea have joined. Without association to Horizon Europe, Switzerland could also be left out of such international partnerships.
Weakening of the entire value chain
For Swiss research, this would be the third exclusion in a short time span. Following the adoption of the mass immigration initiative in 2014 and the breakdown of negotiations with the EU on the 2021 framework agreement, Switzerland was largely excluded from the EU research programme for around three years in each case.
This led to significant restrictions and uncertainties for Switzerland as a centre of research and for parts of the economy. Young researchers and small and medium-sized enterprises in knowledge-based, export-orientated high-tech industries were particularly affected by the exclusion from Horizon Europe between 2021 and 2024. This impact is shown in a study by scienceindustries (see link below), which concludes that Switzerland’s strategic presence was weakened along the entire value chain – from research and innovation to market design and regulation.
Free movement of persons essential for competitiveness
Terminating the free movement of persons would also have a major impact on the local research landscape. Today, this agreement facilitates the recruitment of the best talent both in Switzerland and abroad. At the same time, Swiss researchers can go abroad more easily for education and career opportunities. The agreement is therefore essential for Switzerland to be able to compete internationally.
For these reasons, the SNSF is concerned about the potential consequences of the initiative. The SNSF warns that accepting the initiative could harm Switzerland and its position as a research centre on two counts – through exclusion from the Horizon Europe research programme and the loss of key talent for Swiss research and innovation.