Switzerland’s top universities and research institutes have called on the government to intensify efforts to regain access to European Union research collaborations.
Last week, the government announced plans to free up CHF290 million ($313 million) to make up for lost grants from the Horizon Europe program.
But a collection of top Swiss learning establishments, known as the ETH Domain, said on ThursdayExternal link that the money is not enough on its own. Researchers and students are also losing priceless connections with EU counterparts by being frozen out of the most prestigious projects, including space and quantum research.
“Switzerland is losing an opportunity to help shape the development of European research and innovation and to set priorities,” ETH Domain stated. “There is a risk that top researchers will emigrate abroad or no longer come to Switzerland at all, and our country will lose touch internationally.”
The EU is the most important region for finding educational and corporate partners, far outweighing Asia and the United States. For example, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) finds 90% of its partners in the EU.
In addition, Swiss students, apprentices and educational establishments are losing out from exclusion of the Erasmus student exchange program.
The ETH Domain comprises the two Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich) and Lausanne (EPFL), the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) and Empa.
Popular Stories
More
Climate adaptation
Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world
Has your continent reached its peak or is there still potential for economic growth?
Some regions of the world are on an upward trajectory with the promise of a steadily improving future. Where do you live? And in which direction is your region or continent developing?
Swiss citizens will also participate in flotilla against Gaza blockade
This content was published on
Swiss citizens are also taking part in the worldwide flotilla that intends to break the sea blockade in Gaza. The Waves of Freedom Association (WOFA) plans to leave with five boats loaded with baby milk powder and water filters.
Switzerland commemorates Italian partisans who died escaping fascists
This content was published on
Italian partisans tried to flee to Switzerland in October 1944. However, two died and a third was injured in a hail of bullets between their fascist pursuers and Swiss border guards in Ticino. They are now commemorated by so-called stumble stones.
Switzerland follows the EU with new sanctions against Russian oil
This content was published on
Switzerland is stepping up its sanctions against Russia in the context of the war in Ukraine. The measures are aimed at Russia's oil windfall. The European Union (EU) approved the same package of sanctions, the 18th since the start of the war, in mid-July.
Swiss government makes a case for e-ID ahead of referendum
This content was published on
The electronic-ID is secure and easy to use and its use is voluntary and free of charge: these are the arguments the government made in its campaign for a 'Yes' vote on the e-ID Act slated for September 28.
Switzerland trials muzzles and electric harps against Asian hornets
This content was published on
Scientists have fitted several beehives in Cornol in canton Jura with electric harps and muzzles to electrocute and stop Asian hornets.
Record number of fawns saved by Swiss drone volunteers
This content was published on
Thousands of fawns were saved from the blades of mowers thanks to volunteers equipped with drones with thermal imaging cameras.
This content was published on
Houses and flats became more expensive again in the first half of the year. In the second quarter of 2025 in particular, momentum increased across Switzerland due to high demand and low interest rates.
Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof receives first Locarno City of Peace Award
This content was published on
The new award was created to strengthen Locarno’s role as a symbol of dialogue and peaceful coexistence, and to mark the centenary of the 1925 Locarno Treaties – a crucial milestone in twentieth-century European diplomacy.
EU confirms Swiss ‘third country’ status for research projects
This content was published on
Switzerland has been locked out of the EU's flagship Horizon Europe research and innovation programme until further notice.
Swiss president: ‘Door not closed’ on Horizon Europe research
This content was published on
Swiss president Guy Parmelin has said it would be “very unfortunate” if Switzerland were classified as a third country in Horizon Europe.
Expanded Swiss research campus to concentrate on sustainable energy
This content was published on
Two of Switzerland’s leading science and technology research institutes have started construction work on the expansion of their campus near Zurich.
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.