ERC grants – Eligibility of Swiss host institutions

Threeof the ERC's upcoming grant competitions to be launched in 2024will be open to researchers based in Swiss entities. <_o3a_p>

The European Commission's decision on eligibility for ERC calls has been taken in the context of the ongoing negotiations between the EU and Switzerlandon a broad package of measures, which includes Switzerland's association to Union Programmes such as Horizon Europe. The decision goes beyond what the Commission committed to in the Common Understandingand is a clear sign of a goodwill in the negotiation process.<_o3a_p>

These transitional arrangements will allow for Swiss legal entities to be treated as being "entities established in Associated Countries" for the Starting Grant, Consolidator Grant and Synergy Grant calls for proposals in the forthcoming ERC work programme 2025. <_o3a_p>

As previously announced, the transitional arrangements apply to the Advanced Grant call under the ERC work programme 2024, which is currently open for the submission of proposals (deadline 29 August 2024). However, grant agreements for all of the above calls may only be signed with successful applicants if the association agreement with Switzerland applies at that time.<_o3a_p>