Photo: Usplash/ Florian Wehde

Connect with Madrid

Lukas Dauwalder, the new Science Counselor at the Embassy of Switzerland in Madrid, explains his vision and role in connecting the dots in education, research, and innovation between Switzerland and Spain.

What is your vision as the Science Counselor in Spain for the next two years?

Spain and Switzerland are continuously strengthening their ties in research and innovation, with collaboration between the two countries showing steady growth. Since 2014, the number of jointly published research papers by Spanish and Swiss researchers has nearly doubled. Moreover, under the Horizon 2020 program, researchers from both nations have joined forces in over 1,500 projects.

 

These developments place Spain among Switzerland’s most significant research and innovation partners in Europe. And this is exactly where I see my primary function as STC in Madrid – helping to further deepen and broaden the existing ties and give an additional impulse to make the tendency of increased collaboration lasting.

 

A recent milestone in the cooperation between Switzerland and Spain was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on research and innovation in July 2023. This agreement sets a clear framework for collaboration, focusing on key strategic areas such as climate and sustainable development, digital transformation, energy, equality and diversity, humanities and social sciences, life sciences and health, quantum science and technology, and space.

 

Regular initiatives, such as the annual Spanish-Swiss meeting on innovation, have been instrumental in fostering dialogue and collaboration and are a good example of the Embassy’s efforts in connecting the concerned Swiss and Spanish actors. The latest meeting emphasized diplomacy and quantum science, showcasing the shared commitment of both countries to tackling contemporary challenges through anticipation and innovative approaches. These events, coupled with the close cooperation between the Swiss Business Hub Spain (SBHSpain) and Swiss innovation stakeholders, illustrate our comprehensive approach to integrating science, technology, innovation, and business.

 

An upcoming highlight of this partnership will be Swisstech Night at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on March 4th. Organized by the Swiss Business Hub Spain, the event will feature Swiss start-ups presenting cutting-edge technologies, further reflecting the active and ongoing collaboration between Spain and Switzerland in the fields of science and innovation.

What are the trending sectors wherein you can curate impactful collaborations with Switzerland?

Apart from the strategic fields defined in the MoU, biotechnology (especially in the fields of health and agriculture) and nanotechnology have emerged as key areas of collaboration between Spain and Switzerland. Both countries count on renowned research centers, advanced infrastructures, and important public and private investments in these areas.

 

The momentum of the signing of the MoU was further reinforced during the inaugural Joint Committee Meeting held in Bern in October 2024. Delegates from both countries expressed mutual interest in enhancing collaboration in international research organizations, space exploration, innovation, and funding mechanisms.

 

The ongoing talks between the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI) for a Lead Agency Agreement are further deepening institutional collaboration between the two countries.

 

Spain’s initiatives in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and digitalization—backed by European Union funding—align seamlessly with Switzerland’s strengths and expertise, creating fertile ground for bilateral cooperation. The Spanish government’s approach that bridges science, innovation, and economy, facilitates stronger ties with Switzerland across these key sectors and can unlock potential across critical sectors for both countries.

How would it contribute towards the network's overall goal of #ConnectingTomorrow?

Swissnex’s “#ConnectingTomorrow” aims to foster international collaboration in education, research, and innovation by engaging key institutions and partners to develop future technologies and solutions.

 

The Spanish-Swiss collaboration aligns with this vision by fostering innovation and future-oriented partnerships. The domains in which Spanish-Swiss cooperation prospers include key areas such as green and digital transition. The complexity of these sectors calls indeed for multi-sectorial and international response.

 

Initiatives such as the annual Spanish-Swiss Meeting on innovation provide a valuable platform to build bridges between the diplomatic, economic, and scientific communities of both countries. This allows for fruitful exchanges that contribute to shape a sustainable and digitally advanced future, as well as anticipate global challenges and opportunities.

Lastly, how do you want your current and potential Swiss partners to be part of your journey / vision?

A key feature of Swissnex, and the Swiss innovation and research landscape as a whole, is its emphasis on a bottom-up approach. This principle is fully embraced at the Swiss Embassy in Madrid, where we see our role as “enablers”.

 

To enhance the potential for cooperation between Spain and Switzerland in research and innovation, we actively welcome proposals, new visions, and ideas from our Swiss stakeholders. By leveraging our network and fostering an interdisciplinary approach we are committed to supporting exciting and impactful projects. We will also continue to approach our Swiss partners proactively with suggestions and proposals for collaboration and are looking forward to many more interesting and successful Swiss-Spanish partnerships.

Connect with

Lukas Dauwalder

Science Counselor at the Embassy of Switzerland in Madrid

Embassy of Switzerland in Madrid
C/ Núñez de Balboa 35 A, 7°
Edificio Goya
28001 Madrid
Spain