Now that Horizon Europe (HE) has finally got its legal basis, non-EU Member States can start the negotiation process to become “Associated Countries” (AC). When preparing the new Framework Programme (FP), the European Commission (EC) made much of their intention to open the circle of potential candidates for Association to include countries such as Canada and Japan. With the first big round of calls about to open, several draft Work Programmes have revealed, however, that the outlook of the EC has changed significantly. Not only have they demoted the status of these "Third Country" participants, in certain thematic areas such as energy, quantum technology and space, they even intend to exclude researchers from AC for the sake of the EU’s “strategic autonomy”. This notion had already appeared in early HE drafts, but its meaning was always taken to be increasing the EU’s technological independence from China or the US, not excluding neighbouring countries such as the UK, Switzerland or Israel. Even the representatives of the EU Member States (EU MS) in the Programme Committees, in charge of approving the Work Programmes, were apparently surprised — and not at all amused — by this evolving interpretation. Under the lead of Germany, several EU MS have rallied to reverse impending restrictions.
What does this mean for participants in Switzerland? At the moment, there is not much difference to the rules of the previous FP. Participants from countries formerly associated to Horizon 2020, as Switzerland was, can still submit to all 2021 calls as if they were from an AC. The German-led initiative has resulted in a more nuanced approach to collaboration, so that Swiss participants should still be able to join consortia on any topic they want. Meanwhile, the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) is still tirelessly trying to sign and seal the Swiss Association to HE in time for the signature of the first Grant Agreements.
So, the bottom line is: If you are interested in participating in any of the upcoming HE calls, do so! Only those who submit a proposal have a chance of getting funded and we certainly do not want SERI's efforts to have been for nothing.
Regina Schneider, Euresearch DirectorAlexandra Rosakis, Illustration
The first of the Horizon Europe Info Days will take place soon! The event provides prospective applicants and other stakeholders with the opportunity to receive information and ask questions about the novelties, main funding instruments and processes of Horizon Europe. The Info Days will address 9 themes, each dedicated to a different cluster or part of the new programme. No registration is required.Date: 28.06-09.07.2021 (online)
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is drawing up the framework for a new network to foster innovation in the creative and cultural industries. In autumn, it will invite universities, industry and research organisations to submit their roadmaps. This will be the EIT’s 9th network – providing training, business acceleration services and funding across Europe.
Euresearch will contribute to the Swiss Artificial Intelligence Research Overview Platform (SAIROP), intended to present an overview of AI competencies in Switzerland. The platform is due to be launched in autumn 2021, under the lead of the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW).
On 1 June 2021, Sibylla Martinelli joined the Euresearch Management Board. A molecular biologist by training, Sibylla has been the National Contact Point for the Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions since 2013. She replaces Katja Wirth, who left Euresearch at the end of May. Find out more about Sibylla in her interview in our March Newsletter.
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships call opens on 22 June! Apply with a host institution of your choice anywhere in the world for up to a 3-year postdoctoral position and improve your further career chances. The call schedule may still change until the final adoption of the Work Programme.Deadline: 12.10.2021 (tbc)
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks Call opens on 22 June! Apply with a consortium (minimum 3 beneficiaries, one must be in an EU Member State) for a research and training programme for up to 15 PhD candidates. The call schedule may still change until final adoption of the Work Programme.Deadline: 16.11.2021 (tbc)
This year's event consists of pitches by startups/industrial innovators and solution providers. Additionally, there will be a tabletop exhibition with a limited number of tabletops and a one-to-one partnering service. The Horizon Europe funding possibilities in health will be also presented to you.Date: 28.06.2021, Biel/Bienne
The new Step 1 functionalities will be available on the AI Platform from 22 June 2021. If you receive positive step 1 evaluation results, you will have the possibility to benefit from the coaching services for the preparation of the full proposal. Next cut-off for the full proposal (only after successful step 1): 16.06.2021 & 06.10.2021
The Startup Days will connect and inspire you online and offline, with an exciting mix of national and international keynote speakers and over 30 participative sessions in a modular system. Not to be missed by Swiss start-ups and all players in the innovation ecosystem.Date: 23.06.2021
In 2021, your startup or research team has the opportunity to take part in an exploration programme with Swisscom’s cybersecurity community. You may even be the lucky startup chosen to expand your network at Swisscom’s outpost in Palo Alto, USA!Deadline: 04.07.2021
Do not miss the next 4 webinars from the IPR Helpdesk with a focus on Horizon 2020. "IP Commercialisation and Licensing" (16.06.2021), "Effective IP and outreach strategies to increase the impact of R&I" (23.06.2021), "Impact and Innovation in EU-funded projects" (30.06.2021), and "Maximising the Impact of Horizon 2020 Project Results" (07.07.2021) are now open for registration.
This event is for excellent researchers with at least 10 years of independent research experience who are considering or planning to apply for a European Research Council Advanced Grant. You will gain an impression of what it takes to be a competitive candidate, get to know the different parts of the application and have the opportunity to ask questions.Date: 29.06.2021 (online)
This year marks the start of Horizon Europe and the "European Research and Innovation Days" is the European Commission’s annual flagship event, gathering policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs and the public to shape the future of research and innovation in Europe and beyond. Registration is now open – don’t miss this opportunity to interact with the presenters and the audience!Date: 23.-24.06.2021 (online)
This event is aimed at applicants from Swiss institutions, organisations and companies who are planning to write collaborative proposals for Horizon Europe calls. You will receive targeted information and advice to help you prepare your submission as a task or work package leader, coordinator or partner in a project.Date: 16.06.2021 (online)
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