EU-Swiss feud ‘imperils R&D cooperation worth billions’

European University Association urges both sides to set aside political differences for research

Billions of euros in collaborative research funding are at risk due to the ongoing inability of the EU and Switzerland to set aside disagreements on their broader relationship, the European University Association has warned.

Swiss researchers previously enjoyed access to the EU’s vast research-funding resources, but this historical collegiality was severed when their government walked away from broad political talks on the country’s relationship with the bloc earlier this year. In a statement published on 10 December, the EUA urged politicians in the EU and Switzerland to “disconnect” these ongoing political negotiations from the question of Swiss membership of the EU’s Horizon Europe R&D programme and Erasmus+ mobility programme.