Switzerland is currently considered a non-associated third country in the Horizon Package 2021-2027 (Horizon Europe, Euratom programme, Digital Europe Programme and the ITER research infrastructure). As a result, positively evaluated projects are not funded by the European Commission, but directly by the EAER/SERI.
This also applies to the Accelerator funding instrument of the European Innovation Council (EIC). In the 2021 calls, 24 project applications from Swiss start-ups were positively evaluated in the European Commission’s highly competitive selection process. These start-ups are developing solutions for societal challenges, for example:
- photovoltaics on cultivated land to optimise food production,
- software for energy-conscious and autonomous driving,
- optical and magnetic stimulation for healing chronic wounds,
- early detection of stored grain pest infestation using highly sensitive optical sensors.
The majority of the projects already kicked off at the beginning of 2022. The EAER/SERI funding will boost the growth of the companies and accelerate their market entry.
Currently, Swiss start-ups cannot participate in the 2022 EIC Accelerator calls for proposals. The Federal Council therefore adopted transitional measures on 4 March 2022. Innosuisse will publish the corresponding -Swiss Accelerator- call for proposals on 1 April 2022.
EIC Accelerator in Horizon Europe The EIC Accelerator is the main instrument for start-up funding in the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe. This programme runs from 2021 to 2027 and, with a budget of over EUR 95 billion, it is the world’s largest research and innovation funding programme. Switzerland was associated to the predecessor programme Horizon 2020. The Federal Council is seeking the same status for Horizon Europe and related programmes and initiatives (Euratom programme, ITER and Digital Europe Programme).