Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Swiss research institutes receive EU funding boost

researcher
The research grants cover a range of subjects including neuroscience, astronomy, medicine and urban planning. Keystone

The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded 222 coveted grants to researchers including 18 at Swiss institutes under the Horizon 2020 programme. Switzerland’s status in the next iteration of Horizon funding remains unclear.

On Wednesday, the ERC announced the awardees of €540 million (CHF605 million) in grants for research and innovation. Some 222 researchers will receive “Advanced Grants” of a maximum of €2.5 million each. The funds are expected to create 2,000 jobs according to the ERC.

Of the 18 awardees in Switzerland, five are at the federal technology institute ETH Zurich, which will receive €12.5 millionExternal link from Horizon. The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), the University of Geneva and University of Zurich each received three awards. Two researchers at the University of Basel and one at both the University of Lausanne and University of Fribourg rounded out the list.

The projects selected cover a range of subjects including neuroscience, astronomy, medicine, and urban planning. As an example, one EPFL team will be exploring the resistance of certain tumors to immunotherapies.

Britain received the most grants of any region with 47 awardees. However, Brexit may throw a wrench in Britain’s participation in “Horizon 2020”, as well as its extension to “Horizon Europe”, starting in 2021.

More
two flags

More

What is this EU framework deal?

This content was published on An institutional framework would simplify future ties between Switzerland and its biggest trading partner.

Read more: What is this EU framework deal?

Uncertain future

Switzerland’s status in the next iteration of the Horizon programme remains unclear. 

Europe wants to create a new category of participating countries for “Horizon Europe” 2021-2027. Switzerland could be downgraded to category 4 of non-EU states along with Great Britain. Until now, Switzerland has been in the first category with other countries in the European economic area including Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland.

Swiss university representatives recently expressed fear that researchers could lose out on Horizon funding if Switzerland fails to reach an agreement with the EU on a political framework for future relations. about the consequences a potential downgrading could have on Swiss research and innovation.

Horizon Europe is the €100 billion research and innovation programme that will succeed Horizon 2020. Switzerland was temporarily demoted to third country status of Horizon 2020 after voters backed migration quotas in 2014.

The European Parliament and member states are expected to make a decision this fall. State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation Martina Hirayama told Keystone-SDA that Switzerland is a strong partner. However, it may come down to politics.

More
Martin Vetterli

More

Swiss universities fear EU science funding snub

This content was published on Horizon EuropeExternal link is the €100 billion research and innovation programme that will succeed Horizon 2020. Switzerland was temporarily demoted to third country status of Horizon 2020 after voters backed migration quotas in 2014. The heads of Switzerland’s two Federal Institutes of Technology, ETHZ and EPFL, on Tuesday voiced concerns that funding restrictions could apply…

Read more: Swiss universities fear EU science funding snub


Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

More heavy metal detected in Swiss grassland

More

Study finds more heavy metal detected in Swiss grassland

This content was published on Copper and zinc can be expected to accumulate in the soil, particularly if farmyard manure is used for several years and is greater than the amount of nutrients absorbed by the grass. This was announced by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) on Friday. The findings are based on the results of the seventh National Soil Monitoring of Switzerland (Nabo).

Read more: Study finds more heavy metal detected in Swiss grassland
The Federal Administrative Court in St Gallen, Switzerland.

More

Court rules al-Qaeda supporter can stay in Switzerland

This content was published on A Kurdish supporter of the Islamist terrorist network al-Qaeda can stay in Switzerland, the Federal Administrative Court has ruled. It has withdrawn the annulment of the man’s provisional admission.

Read more: Court rules al-Qaeda supporter can stay in Switzerland
Dieselgate scandal: In 2015 it emerged that millions of VW diesel-powered vehicles had been manipulated to pass environmental standards.

More

Swiss prosecutors close VW ‘Dieselgate’ case

This content was published on The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) has closed criminal proceedings relating to the Swiss owners affected by the Volkswagen “Dieselgate” emissions scandal.

Read more: Swiss prosecutors close VW ‘Dieselgate’ case
Employment prospects remain stable in the fourth quarter

More

Q4 job prospects in Switzerland remain stable

This content was published on The employment outlook in Switzerland will remain stable towards the end of 2024, according to the KOF Swiss Economic Institute at ETH Zurich.

Read more: Q4 job prospects in Switzerland remain stable
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Palm Beach, Florida.

More

Swiss woman accuses Donald Trump of sexual assault

This content was published on A former Miss Switzerland candidate has accused Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her in New York in 1993. The US Republican candidate’s campaign team has denied the accusations.

Read more: Swiss woman accuses Donald Trump of sexual assault

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR