Université de Genève

UNIGE

The missions of the University of Geneva are defined by the Law on the University: - The University of Geneva serves as a public institution committed to providing basic and advanced higher education, conducting both fundamental and applied scientific research, and offering continuing education. Our university upholds principles of objectivity, open discussion, and refutability, which are the cornerstones of a rational intellectual approach. - The University of Geneva actively contributes to the cultural, social, and economic development of the community by promoting research and sharing our expertise. We engage in public outreach and foster reflection on the advancement of knowledge and its implications for society and the environment. - See the UNIGE Strategic Plan 2024-2034 here: https://www.unige.ch/en/university/politique-generale/plan-strategique/ - See the UNIGE General Policy here: http://www.unige.ch/en/university/politique-generale/

Lobbying Activity

Response to Interim evaluation of Horizon Europe

29 Jul 2022

We regret the current non-association of Switzerland to Horizon Europe which is detrimental to the full development of the European Research Area. The ERA and the participation in Horizon Europe should be driven by R&I-relevant criteria for excellence and solidarity. Obviously, the exclusion from the ERC calls strongly hits top researchers in Swiss universities (many of them European nationals), although Swiss high-level replacement schemes were set-up swiftly. Idem for Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions/fellowships. Furthermore, Swiss partners in collaborative projects are considered as “associated partners” (nationally funded) and, as such, are affected - together with EU/AC coordinators and partners - by administrative confusions and uncertainties due to unclear rules and processes with regard to third countries.
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Response to Ex-post evaluation of Horizon 2020

29 Jul 2022

University of Geneva participated in almost 200 H2020 projects, despite some limitations due to the full association of Switzerland in H2020 which entered into force on 1.1.2017 only. We are satisfied with the overall programme content and roll-out, and in particular with the ERC scheme and its evaluation/review process although further simplification in the financial reporting requirements would be welcome. More generally, administrative simplification throughout the Framework Programme should remain a key objective for the future, considering that an AMGA of almost 1000 pages clearly reflects overcomplexity which, in the end, hampers the full deployment of European R&I potentials. University of Geneva is also member of the LERU which contributed all along H2020 with many technical analysis and good practices to the EC.
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Meeting with Toma Šutić (Cabinet of Vice-President Dubravka Šuica)

10 Jun 2021 · EURYKA project discussion on Democracy and Demography

Meeting with Werner Stengg (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager)

12 Feb 2020 · AI, corporate digital responsibility