Scientific and technologic cooperation with Switzerland

The aim of the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, concluded between the European Communities and Switzerland, is for that country to join the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Development. Beyond the development of scientific and technological cooperation between the two parties, the Agreement shall also enable Switzerland to be further integrated in the European Research Area.

ACT

Decision 2008/270/EC,Euratom of the Council and of the Commission of 25 February 2008 concerning the conclusion on behalf of the European Community and the European Atomic Energy Community of the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the European Community and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other part.

SUMMARY

The subject of this Decision is the conclusion of a new Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between Switzerland and the European Communities.

This Agreement applies provisionally from 1 January 2007. It has been concluded for the duration of the SeventhFramework Programme.

In practice, the Agreement enables Swiss research bodies to join the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Development, and the specific programmes which result from it.

This cooperation has been established since the Fifth Framework Programme for Research and Development. Each agreement provides for its own renewal in the eventuality that new programmes are adopted by the European Union.

The new Agreement continues in line with preceding agreements and therefore provides for Switzerland’s contribution to Seventh Framework Programme budgets. It reiterates the provisions relating to intellectual property rights. However, the Agreement has been adapted to fit in with the specificities of the new Framework Programme, particularly with regard to Switzerland’s participation in the legal structures (in accordance with Article 169 and 171 of the EC Treaty).

The ‘Switzerland/Communities Research Committee’ shall assess and be responsible for the proper execution and interpretation of this Agreement.

Context

Swiss researchers participate in Framework Programmes for Research, the Union’s main instruments for implementing a Community policy for science and technology since the 1980s. Until 2004, this participation was carried out on a project-by-project basis with restricted rights. Since the signing of the first bilateral agreement on scientific and technological cooperation (under the 6th Framework Programme 2002-2006), Switzerland has been fully involved and on an ipso jure basis.

Last updated: 15.02.2011