Publication
Abkommen über die Programme der EU
In her chapter "Abkommen über die Programme der EU" in Bilaterale Abkommen III Schweiz – EU. Erste Analysen, edited by Christine Kaddous and Andreas Kellerhals, Christa Tobler provides a detailed analysis of Switzerland's participation in the various EU/Euratom programmes in the fields of research and innovation, education and culture.
- Author
- Christa Tobler
- Date
- 28 June 2026
- Links
- Abkommen über die Programme der EU (pp. 451-480)
Switzerland ranks among the best in the world in the fields of education, research and innovation (ERI), making it an attractive partner for international cooperation. Conversely, Switzerland’s current position cannot be maintained in the long term without cooperation, networking and coordination with the best in other countries. This applies in particular to the European context: The European Union (EU) operates a number of funding and support programmes designed to implement its policies and achieve its objectives. The programmes currently in operation – Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe – are the world’s largest and most significant instruments for educational cooperation (Erasmus+) and for supporting competitive research and innovation projects (Horizon Europe). According to the Federal Council, there are no comparable alternatives in this form. Under their legal frameworks, many EU programmes are open to participation or association by non-member states. As EU programmes are each based on a time-limited, multi-annual financial framework, new arrangements must be made for the association of non-member states for each programme generation. The programme agreement, which forms part of the so-called ‘Bilateral Agreements III’ package, aims to create a permanent and mutually binding framework for this purpose. At the same time, it offers Switzerland welcome flexibility regarding the choice of specific programmes and activities in which it wishes to participate. As a secondary aspect, the agreement also regulates participation by the EU in Swiss programmes and activities. This chapter of the book deals with the new agreement.