Large numbers of Swiss researchers have already begun applying for funding under the European Union's Sixth Framework Research Program, thanks to a bilateral agreement announced this month that will give Swiss scientists the same rights as their counterparts in EU member states.

Under the new agreement, Swiss researchers and companies gain access to substantial EU funds as well as to a broad research network at EU scale. They will also be able to lead EU research groups and hold key positions in decision-making committees for the first time.

“This is a great chance for us,” Sofia Karakostas from ETH Zurich—the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology—told The Scientist. “The response among researchers at the ETH Zurich has been very positive. Researchers at our university have already participated in 50 projects with EU partners under previous agreements. Now, we expect even more projects to be accepted because the conditions for...

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!
Join for free todayAlready a member?Login Here