04/07/2024 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 4 July, the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Iliana Ivanova, announced that, as part of the negotiations between Switzerland and the EU on bilateral agreement packages, Swiss research entities can now apply for European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grants, ERC Synergy Grants and ERC Consolidator Grants in 2025. The Commissioner for the ‘European Green Deal’, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, Maroš Šefčovič, for his part, said that he had spoken on the telephone with the head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Ignazio Cassis. Mr Šefčovič spoke of significant progress in negotiations between the two parties, notably on institutional issues, State aid and towards a transitional arrangement for Horizon Europe in 2025. He highlighted the progress that is needed in terms of the free movement of people. (EV)