Horizon package: Federal Council to finance transitional measures in 2024

On 10 April, the Federal Council decided on transitional measures for the 2024 calls for proposals under the European Union's Horizon package 2021-2027 (Horizon Europe, Euratom programme, ITER and Digital Europe Programme). A maximum amount of CHF 650 million has been set aside for this purpose. This allocation is drawn from funding earmarked by Parliament at the end of 2020 for Switzerland's participation in the Horizon package. The Federal Council remains committed to achieving Swiss association to the Horizon package as soon as possible.                 

Anna Fontcuberta i Morral named as new EPFL president

On 27 March, the Federal Council appointed Anna Fontcuberta i Morral as the new president of EPFL. The 49-year-old is a professor of materials science and engineering at EPFL in Lausanne. She will succeed Martin Vetterli on 1 January 2025.

Signing of free trade agreement with India

On 10 March Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and his counterparts from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway signed a free trade agreement with Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal in Delhi. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swiss President Viola Amherd sent video messages for the signing ceremony.

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SERI news portal devoted to education, research and innovation

Since mid-February 2024, the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation is providing information about its latest projects and activities on a dedicated news portal www.e2-news.ch. This website replaces the ‘SERI News’ magazine, previously published on print media. News updates will be provided in German and French as well as in some cases in English when the content is intended for an international readership.