Switzerland and United Kingdom Deepen Scientific Cooperation

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Publication Date: Press ReleasePublished on November 21, 2025

Overview

  • Author: Swiss Federal Administration (SERI)
  • Source: https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/UQuA_HwdndaZzJdMVZf0u
  • Date: November 21, 2025
  • Reading Time: 3 minutes

Summary

The third meeting of the Joint Committee on Science and Innovation between Switzerland and the United Kingdom demonstrates successful bilateral research cooperation. Since the Memorandum of Understanding of 2022, several joint calls have been conducted and cooperation has intensified. The United Kingdom ranks as Switzerland's third most important cooperation partner in research, highlighting the strategic importance of this partnership outside the EU.

Three Key Questions

  • How can innovation freedom be ensured despite increasing research security requirements?
  • What responsibility do both countries bear for the transparent design of international research cooperation?
  • How do joint calls promote genuine innovation rather than just administrative cooperation?

Future Outlook

  • Short-term (1 year): Further joint calls in health research and innovation are expected
  • Medium-term (5 years): Possible expansion of cooperation to new technology fields such as AI and climate research
  • Long-term (10–20 years): Establishment of a permanent research space between two important non-EU countries

Article Summary

What is this about? Switzerland and the United Kingdom evaluated their bilateral research cooperation and are planning its expansion - important given Brexit and the changed European research landscape.

Important Facts:

  • November 2022: Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding
  • Nearly 2,900 projects funded by SNSF between 2019-2024 [⚠️ Still to be verified]
  • Rank 3 among all partner countries for cooperation
  • About 770 projects within the framework of Horizon Europe
  • Two successful joint calls from Innosuisse and Innovate UK
  • One ongoing joint SNSF-NIHR call for clinical studies

Affected Groups:

  • Research institutions and universities in both countries
  • Innovative companies in Switzerland and UK
  • International scientific community

Opportunities & Risks:

  • Opportunities: Strengthening research capabilities outside the EU, access to British cutting-edge research
  • Risks: Possible dependencies, research security concerns in sensitive areas

Recommendations: Transparency in project selection and clear criteria for research security should be considered.

Fact-Checking

The figures on project numbers and cooperation ranking are based on official government statements. Independent verification of the success measurement of joint projects would be desirable [⚠️ Still to be verified].

Further Sources

  • SERI: International Research Cooperation of Switzerland (Annual Report)
  • UK Research and Innovation: International partnerships strategy
  • Horizon Europe: Participation statistics by country

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