Switzerland and the UK sign a landmark agreement on science and innovation

The Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich is consistently ranked as one of the best universities in Europe. Keystone / Ennio Lensa

The agreement, signed by the United Kingdom and Switzerland, aims to deepen ties between their respective research and innovation communities at a time when both countries are side-by-side with Horizon Europe, the EU’s main scientific research funding programme.

This content was published on 10. November 2022 – 12:17

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Guy Parmelin, head of Switzerland’s Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, and George Freeman, the UK’s Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, signed the memorandum of understanding in London on Thursday.

“Both the UK and Switzerland are world leaders in research and innovation. Our common principles, values and scientific excellence make us natural partners,” Parmelin said at the signing ceremony. Together, the two countries have ten universities in Europe’s top 20 research universities, including Switzerland’s two federal institutes of technology, ETH Zurich and EPFL.

The agreement focuses on three main areas, namely in-depth science, industrial commercialization and international standards and regulations. It includes topics such as quantum science, space and nuclear fusion. The UK is expected to be a key partner in Switzerland’s plans to launch a quantum research initiative next year.

Bilateral cooperation may come in the form of joint ventures, delegation visits and other activities. There is also a plan for a regular Anglo-Swiss Research Cooperation Council to oversee activities.

“Being a science superpower means deepening our international ties with leading R&D economies like Switzerland and pursuing multilateral cooperation to address pressing global challenges such as climate change, biosecurity and space sustainability,” Freeman said.

Both countries were barred from participating in the €96 billion (CHF94.5 billion) Horizon Europe program due to political differences with the European Union.

The European Union downgraded Switzerland to non-associate status when Switzerland rejected a comprehensive framework agreement governing long-term relations with Switzerland, which would have provided grants and access to prestigious scientific projects. Swiss universities have warned “Severe consequencesExternal link“If the country continues to be excluded from the EU’s top search index.

Both the UK and Switzerland have played key roles in previous EU science projects and have said they want to continue to be involved in the Horizon project as EU partners and non-EU members.

“This is a clear political signal from our governments to the scientific community and financial institutions,” Markus Leitner, the Swiss ambassador in London, told the Financial Times. “We push for international cooperation wherever we can.”