Scientific agreement with Switzerland near adoption
An association agreement allowing Swiss researchers to participate in the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) on an equal footing with their EU counterparts is ready and awaiting Council approval. The agreement was initialled in September, and both parties have agreed that, providing the document is signed and ratified as intended, it will enter into force on 1 January 2004. This will enable Swiss research teams to participate in calls for proposals with a closing date of this autumn. Swiss participants will receive EU funding, as the country is associated to the EU. The level of Switzerland's contribution to the FP6 budget has not yet been finalised, but it is expected to be between 129 and 142 million euro.
Countries
Switzerland, Israel