The Legal Basis for the Federal Transitional Measures

Researchers and research institutions in Switzerland that are involved in Horizon 2020 collaborative projects and that do not receive EU funding may apply for funding from the Swiss government.

The Federal Council approved the revised Ordinance on Measures for Swiss Participation in the European Union Programmes in the field of Research and Innovation (SR 420.126) on 17 August 2022 replacing the Ordinance of 20 January 2021 . Since 15 September 2022, the revised Ordinance is in force (as of 15 September 2022). The revised Ordinance continues to provide a legal basis for the direct funding of Swiss partners in Horizon 2020 projects.

The revised Ordinance addresses Switzerland's participation as an associated country in EU programmes and regulates the corresponding accompanying measures. It also provides the legal basis for federal financial assistance for Switzerland's participation as a third country or as a partially associated country. Finally, the Ordinance establishes rules for other programmes, initiatives and projects co-funded by the EU programmes and Switzerland.

Ordinance on Measures for Swiss Participation in the European Union Programmes for Research and Innovation (German)

The Ordinance itself is based on Art. 29(2) and 56 of the Research and Innovation Promotion Act (RIPA; SR 420.1).

Research and Innovation Promotion Act

The federal transitional measures also follow the rules as laid out in the Federal Subsidies Act (RS 616.).

Federal Act on Financial Assistance and Subsidies (Subsidies Act) (in German)

The necessary funds were approved by the Swiss parliament in September 2013, based on the Federal Council Dispatch on funding for Swiss participation in the EU Framework Programmes in the areas of research and innovation in the period 2014–2020 by the Federal Council of 27 February 2013.

https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/content/sbfi/en/home/themen/internationale-forschungs--und-innovationszusammenarbeit/forschungsrahmenprogramme-der-europaeischen-union/horizon-2020/h2020/die-rechtlichen-grundlagen-fuer-die-uebergangsmassnahmen-des-bun.html