04.06.2014 klo 5.48

Dear supporters of the online petition "Switzerland must remain part of Euroepean science"

The receipt of the list of signatures has been acknowledged by the Swiss authorities despite the fact that the petition has no legal conbsequences per se. In a letter Bundesrat Schneider-Ammann confirmed that working towards Switzerland becoming a full member of HORIZON 2020 is a top priority of his department. In the meantime there have been temporary measures put in place that provide Swiss scientists alternative ways to participate in joint European research projects or to apply for ERC like funding in Switzerland.

The European authorities have not responded yet, although the list of signature was sent individually to Mr. Schulz, Mr. Barroso and Mr. van Rompuy.