Swiss scientists want access to EU projects

Thursday, 1 July 2021 04:31

Over 30 scientific institutions have written to the government demanding better access to the EU’s Horizon Programme.

The open letter says it’s essential Switzerland continues the ‘long-established and mutually beneficial cooperation’.

The problem stems from the recent failure of the talks with the EU designed to come up with a new framework agreement on how the bloc and Switzerland can trade in the future.

The government is currently stepping in to cover the cost of funding from the EU. The EU does allow some third-party countries to participate in Horizon programmes, but they have to pay their own costs.

The government says it will make CHF 6bn available to make sure research continues.

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