European Union Research Framework Programmes

The framework programmes for research and technological development are the European Union's main instruments for implementing its common scientific and technology policy. This policy, which is set out in the treaties of Maastricht and Amsterdam, aims to make research in Europe a transnational activity, wherever appropriate, to share costs and pool resources for large-scale projects or to work together to find solutions to problems affecting the whole of Europe.

One of the most important priorities of Swiss science policy is to take part in EU research framework programmes, which are run from Brussels. Swiss researchers from universities and private industry have been involved in the framework programmes since 1987. Since then, the number of participants has constantly increased: the initial number of 500 Swiss researchers who took part in FP3 (1990-1994) for a total of CHF 127 million in funding swelled to 1900 Swiss researchers taking part in FP6 (2003-2006) for a total of CHF 793 million in funding.

Research agreement between Switzerland and the EU

1 January 2004 is an important date for Swiss involvement in EU research framework programmes. Before then, Swiss researchers taking part in FP projects had limited rights and received their funding directly from the Confederation. After that date, thanks to a bilateral agreement signed with the EU, Switzerland was able to take part in FP6 as an associate country, with all of the rights and obligations that came with that status.

A similar bilateral agreement for full Swiss involvement in FP7 (2007 - 2013) was signed on 25 June 2007 and retroactively went into effect on 1 January 2007. This agreement enables Swiss researchers, as was already the case with FP6, to enjoy the same rights as their partners from EU member states when taking part in FP7 projects. Moreover, they are also entitled to apply for funding from Brussels.

In addition, the agreement gives Switzerland the right to hold seats on the management boards of specific programmes as well as various steering committees. Switzerland will therefore have privileged access to information and will be in a position to help make decisions regarding current and future EU framework programmes.

A total of EUR 54.6 billion has been allocated to the overall FP7 budget. With each country paying contributions on the basis of their gross domestic product, Switzerland's contribution will be about CHF 2.4 billion over a seven-year period. The corresponding guarantee credit was approved by the Federal Assembly on 14 December 2006.

The State Secretariat for Education and Research represents Switzerland in the European programme management committees (PMCs), where work programmes and calls for tenders are discussed and Framework Programme evaluation procedures are monitored. As an associate country, Switzerland has observer status on these committees. Switzerland is represented by programme delegates from the SER and other experts from the Federal Administration who are supported by a national advisory group.

To further facilitate Swiss involvement in EU research framework programmes, the State Secretariat for Education and Research created the Euresearch information network whose purpose is to provide information and advice to researchers interested in taking part in European research cooperation efforts.