Author: State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI)
Source: admin.ch - Press Release
Publication Date: December 1, 2025
Summary Reading Time: 4 minutes

Executive Summary

State Secretary Martina Hirayama is traveling to the USA from December 1-5, 2025, with a high-level Swiss science delegation to strengthen existing cooperation in education, research, and innovation. The mission focuses on key technologies (quantum sciences, AI, semiconductors), bilateral vocational education cooperation, and knowledge transfer in the innovation centers of San Francisco, Washington DC, and Boston. With 13.6% of all research collaborations, the USA is Switzerland's most important scientific partner – ahead of all European countries. The trip underscores the strategic importance of the transatlantic partnership during a phase of technological transformation and increasing geopolitical uncertainty.

Critical Guiding Questions

  • How dependent should Switzerland allow itself to become on a single non-European science partner – and what risks arise when geopolitical tensions or protectionist policy changes in the USA complicate cooperation?

  • What role does Swiss research autonomy play when private US corporations like NVIDIA and universities like Stanford increasingly determine the global agenda in AI and quantum technology – and where does strategic dependence begin?

  • Is the Swiss vocational education model exportable, or does bilateral cooperation primarily serve access to talent and markets for Swiss companies – with what long-term consequences for domestic workforce development?

Scenario Analysis: Future Perspectives

Short-term (1 year):
Deepening of cooperation in quantum technology and AI; concrete projects between ETH Zurich, EPFL Lausanne, and US partners (Stanford, Berkeley, NVIDIA). Possible political uncertainty from 2024 US elections could delay funding commitments. Swiss startups benefit in the short term from improved access to US investors and incubators.

Medium-term (5 years):
Establishment of joint research infrastructure in quantum computing and semiconductor technology. Risk: Tightened US export controls or national security concerns could restrict Swiss access to cutting-edge technology. Vocational education cooperation leads to hybrid US-Swiss training model addressing skills shortages in both countries – but potentially causing brain drain of Swiss talent to the USA.

Long-term (10–20 years):
Swiss research institutions could become essential nodes in the global innovation network – or lose their strategic autonomy as junior partners in a US-dominated system. Geopolitical bloc formation (USA-China-EU) forces Switzerland into delicate balancing acts. Successful technology transfers could secure Swiss competitiveness; however, dependence on US platforms and standards poses sovereignty risks.

Main Summary

a) Core Topic & Context

The five-day USA trip by the State Secretary for Education, Research, and Innovation aims to consolidate the transatlantic science partnership during times of technological disruption and intensified innovation competition. The mission combines cutting-edge research (quantum technology, AI, semiconductors) with pragmatic vocational education cooperation and underscores the strategic importance of the USA as Switzerland's most important non-European partner.

b) Key Facts & Figures

  • 13.6% of all Swiss research collaborations (2018–2022) occur with the USA – more than with Germany, France, or Italy
  • 16% of all Swiss publications in quantum science and technology are created in cooperation with US partners
  • Switzerland is the largest foreign investor in research and development in the USA
  • Travel destinations: San Francisco (innovation/startups), Washington DC (vocational education, Department of Energy, White House), Boston (Swissnex 25th anniversary)
  • Delegation includes ETH Zurich, EPFL Lausanne, University of Geneva, Innosuisse, and other institutions
  • Memorandum of Understanding on vocational education (2018), renewed 2021 and 2024; mobility agreement for young professionals (2024)
  • Meetings with NVIDIA, Stanford, UC Berkeley, as well as US Labor Secretaries from Massachusetts, Maryland, California

c) Stakeholders & Affected Parties

  • Swiss research institutions: ETH Zurich, EPFL Lausanne, University of Geneva
  • US partners: Stanford, UC Berkeley, NVIDIA, Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), Department of Energy
  • Swiss companies: Benefit from knowledge transfer, investment access, and talent mobility
  • States: Massachusetts, Maryland, California (vocational education cooperation)
  • Apprentices and young professionals: Expanded mobility opportunities through bilateral agreements
  • Swissnex: Network for education, research, and innovation (Boston location celebrates 25 years)

d) Opportunities & Risks

Opportunities:

  • Access to world-leading innovation infrastructure in AI, quantum computing, and semiconductors
  • Strengthening position of Swiss startups and research institutions in the global innovation ecosystem
  • Talent exchange and knowledge transfer in future technologies
  • Export of Swiss vocational education model as soft power instrument

Risks:

  • Strategic dependence: One-sided focus on one partner increases vulnerability to geopolitical tensions
  • Technological sovereignty: Dependence on US platforms and standards could limit room for maneuver
  • Brain drain: Improved mobility could accelerate emigration of top talent to the USA
  • Protectionism: Tightened US export controls or national security regulations could limit Swiss access to critical technologies
  • [⚠️ To be verified: Concrete investment volumes and project budgets not transparently communicated]

e) Action Relevance

Decision-makers in research, business, and politics should carefully weigh the strategic implications of this intensified partnership:

  • Diversification: Parallel to US cooperation, relationships with EU, Asia, and other partners should be strengthened to minimize dependency risks
  • Transparency: Swiss actors must ensure bilateral agreements do not lead to covert technology transfers or one-sided competitive advantages
  • Talent management: Mobility programs should be combined with incentives for return and knowledge backflow
  • Technological sovereignty: Investments in own research capacities (especially quantum technology, semiconductors) are essential to avoid becoming merely a technology consumer
  • Time pressure: Rapid technological development and geopolitical uncertainty require proactive positioning – waiting is risky

Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking

  • ✅ Cooperation statistics (13.6%, 16%) from official press release
  • ✅ Travel dates, institutions, and discussion partners verified
  • [⚠️ To be verified: Concrete investment amounts by Swiss companies in US R&D not quantified]
  • [⚠️ To be verified: Number of apprentices in exchange program not stated]
  • ✅ Memorandum of Understanding (2018, renewed 2021/2024) confirmed

Supplementary Research (Perspective Depth)

  1. Federal Statistical Office (FSO): Current figures on Swiss research expenditures and international collaborations [Recommended: FSO publications on R&D statistics]
  2. Swissnex Network: Evaluation reports on 25 years of transatlantic science diplomacy [swissnex.org]
  3. EU Horizon Europe Status: Comparative analysis of Swiss research relations USA vs. EU, especially after association negotiations [Sources: SERI, EU Commission]

Source Directory

Primary Source:
State Secretary Martina Hirayama on Science Mission to the USA – admin.ch, press release dated December 1, 2025

Supplementary Sources:

  1. Federal Statistical Office (FSO): R&D statistics Switzerland [admin.ch]
  2. Swissnex Network: Annual reports and evaluations [swissnex.org]
  3. SERI: Reports on international research cooperation [sbfi.admin.ch]

Verification Status: ✅ Facts checked on December 1, 2025

File Information

Version: 1.0
Author: [[email protected]]
License: CC-BY 4.0
Last Update: December 1, 2025

Journalistic Compass (Internal Self-Control)

  • 🔍 Power was questioned critically but fairly: Strategic dependence and lack of transparency addressed
  • ⚖️ Freedom and personal responsibility: Technological sovereignty and diversification highlighted as core values
  • 🕊️ Transparency above uncertainty: Missing data explicitly marked
  • 💡 The summary encourages thinking: Guiding questions and scenarios promote critical reflection rather than affirmation