National and international cooperation in education, research and innovation

Every four years, SERI prepares the 'Swiss Roadmap for Research Infrastructures'. This strategic planning document provides an overview of the status and development of national and international research infrastructures that Switzerland is involved in. As such, it also serves as the basis for the Federal Council Dispatch on the Promotion of Education, Research and Innovation (ERI). The 2023 Roadmap was the fourth report of its kind, with the fifth slated for publication in the spring of 2027. The preliminary work is already underway. The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), the ETH Board, the Swiss Conference of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions (swissuniversities), the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences are all involved in the process. 

In the space sector, Switzerland seeks to intensify its cooperation with ESA in the space sector and has already taken tangible steps to this end: in 2022, for example, Switzerland signed a cooperation agreement with ESA to develop the European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre (ESDI), which is located at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI). In April 2024, Switzerland also signed the Artemis Accords. With their signature, 37 states have now confirmed their common understanding of the principles for the peaceful exploration and utilisation of the moon, Mars and other celestial bodies.

Switzerland supports bilateral partnerships with selected countries, for example via the Swissnex network. The aim is to facilitate joint research and innovation projects. One prominent example is the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Switzerland and the United Kingdom in 2022. Among other things, this document enabled Innosuisse and Innovate UK to launch two joint calls, each of which drew 100 proposals for bilateral innovation projects. Another example is the bilateral agreement with India, which was signed back in 2003. This agreement paved the way for the Swiss National Science Foundation and partner agencies in India to launch joint calls for project proposals (including in the field of medicine). 

The Confederation, the cantons and professional organisations share responsibility for the Swiss VPET system. In this spirit of partnership, the three parties are jointly committed to ensuring the quality and relevance of vocational and professional education and training. As the Tripartite VPET Conference (TBBK), they manage the VPET system at a strategic level.

Switzerland is also committed to the international transfer and exchange in the field of dual vocational education and training at a technical and diplomatic level to raise the international profile and visibility of the Swiss VPET system. The Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training (SFUVET), for instance, provides expertise for international projects and conferences. In addition, the Swissnex network, in collaboration with Movetia, promotes international mobility in vocational education and training, such as through the  NextStep Programme involving the Cantons of Vaud and Zurich. 

Acting through the Swiss Conference of Higher Education Institutions (SHK), the federal government channels project subsidies to support cooperation and innovation projects of Swiss higher education institutions. For instance, during the 2021–2024 period, funding was allocated to projects relating to mobility, open science and a national network to promote STEM education. For the 2025–2028 period, funding will be awarded for projects on  sustainability,  on promoting young talent and  equal opportunities.

With the European Universities Initiative, the EU intends to establish a European Higher Education Area. The Swiss federal government provides funding to Swiss higher education institutions wishing to take part in the initiative, which focuses on aspects such as mobility, interdisciplinarity and closer cooperation. For example, the European Universities Initiative supports 'inter-university campuses' where it is possible to study, teach and conduct research at several partner institutions acting in concert. 

The Federal Constitution stipulates that the Confederation and the Cantons shall, within the scope of their powers, jointly ensure the high quality and accessibility of the Swiss Education Area. (Art. 61a Cst.). Among other things, every four years they establish shared long-term objectives for the Swiss education area. 

Switzerland seeks to become associated with the EU's  Erasmus+ programme in order to encourage individual learning mobility and facilitate cooperation between Swiss and European stakeholders and institutions. Learning mobility enables people to acquire international, intercultural, linguistic and professional skills during their initial and subsequent education and training. Special attention is given to younger people.