Agnes Zoller, PhD’s Post

🌟New opportunities for researchers based in Switzerland within world's largest research programme, Horizon Europe. 🇨🇭 The EU continues its negotiations and technical discussions with Switzerland aimed at Switzerland's re-association with Horizon Europe. The ERC, EU public body that funds high-quality research across Europe under Horizon is opening up three major research grant opportunities for 2025—𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁, 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁, and 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 to researchers based in Switzerland. Additionally, as part of the transitional arrangement 2024, the ERC Advanced Grant is already open to researchers in Switzerlandthe and it offers: - €𝟐.𝟓 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 - 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝟓 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 - 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 for established researchers with a significant track record in their fields Swiss researchers can apply for this Advanced Grants by 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟗, but receiving the grants depends on Switzerland and the EU finalizing their association agreement by then. Progress in reintegrating Switzerland into the European research community highlights the EU's recognition of Swiss research value, top universities, and strong innovation potential. Read more on this topic 📲 www.ec.europa.eu #EuropeanResearchCouncil #HorizonEurope #Switzerland #ResearchFunding #Research #STEMwise

EU research ministers have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the European Research Area, aiming to boost collaboration and remove barriers for researchers and innovation. However, concrete measures are postponed until 2025, raising questions about the pace of progress. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dMKK3JTw

Sculpting excellence across various disciplines, Swiss researchers contribute to research areas like life sciences, engineering, and information technology. Switzerland's research infrastructure provides valuable resources for projects, enhancing their quality and impact. This collaboration lays a solid foundation for driving new innovations, supporting cooperation, and promoting interdisciplinary approaches to address challenges. However, the enlargement process for the Horizon Europe scheme puts heavy pressure on nations in the Widening program, manifesting as competitive disadvantages, limited infrastructure access, and brain drain. To maintain competitiveness and ensure a fair shot, Widening countries must receive support from the EU system through inclusive policies and improved Widening measures overall. #HorizonEurope #FP10 #Widening

From July 2021 until now, Switzerland has been largely limited in its participation in the Horizon Europe project. Swiss researchers could only participate to a very limited extent, and if projects ended successfully, all financing came from the Confederation. They were completely excluded from individual projects, calls for proposals from the European Research Council, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, and the European Innovation Council. This was the reality for Swiss researchers for some time. However, today brings new developments in this area. With the Federal Council adopting a dispatch on program association, Switzerland can now advance towards participation in Horizon Europe. This marks a new beginning in overcoming the EU-Swiss dispute. If this time assessment is successful, there will be a whole new spectrum of research collaboration opportunities. Still, negotiations remain pending, and the outcome heavily relies on Swiss payment for the second enlargement contribution and a specific agreement. #HorizonEurope https://lnkd.in/ds222xd9

This article provides captivating strategic recommendations for maximizing the future impact of EU Research and Innovation programmes.

Mattias Björnmalm, secretary-general of the CESAER group of science and technology universities, told RPN that he thinks the Council should “endorse the Letta report and support the swift development and adoption of the ERA Act”. ‘Misunderstanding’ of Draghi report Björnmalm said he thinks the draft text starts well in referring to a need to improve the standing of R&I in the EU, but then it “seems to have missed or misunderstood the central concept as put forward by Draghi”. “We must stop seeing each other as competitors within Europe in these fields and instead adopt a fully Europe-wide approach to boosting science and technology,” he said. Brain drain “should not be viewed solely from the perspective of regional imbalances within Europe but as a broader European challenge. We need to prevent talent from leaving Europe for the US or other regions.” The draft text also refers to the need for “equal and unbiased access to R&I funding and collaborations for all actors based on scientific excellence”. But Björnmalm said that EU R&I funding should not be seen through the “euro-in, euro-out lens” that the draft perpetuates, which has “severely hampered our collective ability to compete globally”. Instead, it should “embrace a fully European perspective”. Full details in article below 👇 https://lnkd.in/euFY-ubZ

COST Actions, the EU's programme for networking researchers, has seen a 62% increase in applications, reflecting the growing demand for cross-border research collaboration. With a current budget of €150,000 per year, the programme can only fund 8% of proposals, leaving many valuable projects unfunded. The COST Actions Scientific Committee is calling for a significant increase in the budget to support more initiatives and bridge Europe's innovation gap. This increase would help researchers in underperforming regions by providing crucial networking and funding opportunities. Given the growing demand, the Committee urges decision-makers to prioritise COST Actions in the next EU financial framework. 📌 More details: https://lnkd.in/efj9GJXc

A plan for an European Research Area (#ERA) Act is expected to pave the way for #research and #innovation to become the fifth freedom of the single market https://lnkd.in/eUTvfwVp

CESAER Secretary General Mattias Björnmalm welcomed the conclusions’ acknowledgement that R&I have a crucial role in EU competitiveness. He said: “Only by working much more closely together as a continent in research, education and innovation can Europe be a global leader in the advanced science and technologies that increasingly shape our societies and underpin competitiveness.” 👇👇 https://lnkd.in/e4H7J_s8

President Ursula von der Leyen's plan to introduce a European Research Area (#ERA) act could mark a significant step towards establishing #research and #innovation as the fifth freedom of the EU's single market. The goal of creating a single space for knowledge, #education, and research has been discussed for years but has faced political obstacles. Now, with growing support from experts and political leaders, there is renewed optimism that this vision could finally become a reality, providing a major boost to Europe's #competitiveness in #science and innovation. 📌 More: https://lnkd.in/ewcmK3zv