Horizon Europe: Swiss universities fear brain drain
Being excluded from the European Union’s flagship research funding programme Horizon EuropeExternal link has increased the risks of a brain drain of scientists and young start-ups from Switzerland, top university officials have warned.
“We will of course develop cooperation with the United States and China, but the natural place for our researchers to collaborate remains Europe,” declared Yves Flückiger, president of Swissuniversities and rector of the University of Geneva, in an interview with Le Temps newspaper on Monday.
Researchers at Swiss universities have been on tenterhooks about their ability to join the EU’s Horizon programme, after Switzerland’s decision to pull the plug on a draft treaty binding it more tightly to the bloc hampered access.
The EU has relegated Switzerland to non-associated country status in the Horizon EuropeExternal link programme, notably cutting off Swiss researchers from funding by the European Commission.
The risk of a brain drain is “higher than before, even if it is impossible to quantify. At EPFL [Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne], we have about twenty superstars. If we lose two of them, it’s already serious. This is quickly known and our reputation suffers, that’s obvious,” said Michael Hengartner, president of the ETH Board.
After the controversial Swiss vote to re-introduce immigration quotas for EU citizens, Swiss participation in the EU Horizon scheme fell by half. And Swiss research lost 90% of its coordinator roles in European projects, said Hengartner.
More
More
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.
“We were able to participate in projects, but we were deprived of their leadership, and this in areas where we are at the forefront of technology,” said Hengartner.
Flückiger warned that the current situation was pushing some promising young companies to leave Switzerland or open branches in Europe. “Some 10% of the life science companies supported by the Fongit incubator in Geneva are considering moving their activities further across the border. Two of them have already left the incubator’s offices,” he said.
The Swiss government has decided to allocate up to CHF400 million ($434 million) this year for scientists wishing to participate in Europe’s flagship research project as a way of plugging financial shortfalls.
Horizon Europe is one of the important issues on the table at Monday’s high-level meeting in Brussels between Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis and European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefcovic to discuss ties.
Relations between Switzerland and its biggest trading partner deteriorated in May when the Swiss government unilaterally walked away from seven years of negotiations over an institutional framework agreement with Brussels to oversee future long-term ties.
More
More
Why is Horizon Europe important for Switzerland and the European Union?
This content was published on
Switzerland has been excluded for now from the EU’s key Horizon Europe research programme. This is a big blow for Switzerland’s research landscape.
This content was published on
Nemo brought the Eurovision Song Contest to Switzerland with a victory on Saturday evening in Malmö, Sweden. It is Switzerland's third victory in the history of the music contest.
Switzerland abstains from vote on Palestinian bid for full UN membership
This content was published on
On Friday, Switzerland abstained from the vote at the General Assembly on granting the Palestinians new rights at the United Nations (UN).
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
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.
Read more
More
Switzerland shouldn’t count on its ‘best friends’ for EU help
This content was published on
Switzerland has manoeuvred itself into a dead end in its relations with the EU, partly because it has never altered its strategy. An analysis.
Horizon Europe: Swiss government pledges funds to plug shortfalls
This content was published on
The Swiss government has decided to allocate up to CHF400 million this year for scientists participating in Europe’s flagship research project.
Why is Horizon Europe important for Switzerland and the European Union?
This content was published on
Switzerland has been excluded for now from the EU’s key Horizon Europe research programme. This is a big blow for Switzerland’s research landscape.
‘Reliable’ Switzerland ready to play role in EU research
This content was published on
Switzerland is ready to enter negotiations on association to the EU’s research and innovation programme “Horizon Europe”.
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.
This content was published on
Citing “substantial differences”, the government has decided not to move ahead with a controversial institutional agreement on relations with the EU.
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.