Swiss and EU negotiators are aiming to reach agreement on Horizon Europe association in the summer, which should allow full access to the programme for calls in 2025.

The Federal Council has adopted an implementation proposal regarding the creation of ad-hoc scientific advisory groups during crises. Switzerland’s ERI institutions are to jointly propose experts for the groups.

Swiss university leaders have welcomed the European Commission's announcement that it will finally open exploratory talks on Horizon Europe association, with hopes this could lead to an agreement as early as next year.

On 2 May 2023, State Secretary Martina Hirayama and British Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, George Freeman, opened the first meeting of the Joint Swiss-British Committee for Science and Innovation. This meeting between the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and the British Department for Science, Innovation and Technology was mainly centred on bilateral cooperation in research and innovation.

The government wants to safeguard the Swiss space research sector while promoting a "sustainable and responsible" universe. Adopting the Federal Space Policy 2023 on Wednesday, the government said the goal was to take account of the “rapid developments in and increasing importance of outer space”.

The EU is making some progress towards adding international partners to its Horizon Europe research programme, but complaints about the proposed membership terms continue to stir controversy.

Switzerland's president has discussed Horizon Europe association and Erasmus+ membership with Commission president, as the two sides try to revive broader negotiations that could unlock talks about the research programme. 

Locked out of key European research and education programmes, Swiss universities are forging another path via alliances with European universities.

European research leaders have reacted with disappointment to Switzerland's expulsion from the body that coordinates scientific infrastructure across the continent.

 Of 174 UK-based ERC grant winners 23, or around one in eight, have decided to relocate, while only four of 66 researchers based in Switzerland did so.

Political tensions mean both nations have been shut out of the EU's prestigious Horizon programme.

ETH Zurich is opening a new research and teaching centre with a focus on exploring the origin and prevalence of life on Earth and beyond. Under the leadership of Noble Laureate, Didier Queloz, more than 40 research groups from five departments will address the big questions posed by humankind.