Both Switzerland and the UK have been blocked from a major EU scheme due to disagreements over science collaboration.
The two nations have been excluded from the EU's multi-billion pound programme due to political tensions.
There is no new money in the Anglo-Swiss deal.
The Swiss ambassador to the UK said it was a signal to researchers to find new projects.
The agreement will be made public on Thursday.
The UK's science minister said that being a science superpower meant deeper relationships with leading research and development economies.
Artificial intelligence, as well as turning academic discoveries into start-up businesses, will be covered in the agreement.
The UK and Switzerland have been trying to join the EU's key funding scheme for research and innovation, which has a budget of 95.5 billion over the next 6 years.
The UK left the EU in January 2020 and has been held up in a dispute over trading with Northern Ireland.
The European Union has never been a member of Switzerland. Switzerland did not approve of an overarching treaty with the EU.
Leading academic and industrial researchers come together from across the EU. People based in third countries can participate but can't lead projects.
The ambassador said that the UK-Swiss deal was separate from its efforts to join the EU.
The Trade and Co-operation Agreement was the basis of the UK's associate membership toHorizon.
The European Commission pointed out that there wasn't a binding deadline for association.
Uncertainty for the sector and fears of a "brain drain" mean that ministers could soon pursue their own international scheme known as "Plan B".
Funding for cutting edge research and international agreements are included in the alternative programme.
The scale of the Swiss deal is not comparable to the scale of Plan B.
The first of a number I am negotiating is the Anglo-Swiss Agreement. I was just in Israel.
There are fears within the science and research community that the Treasury could try to cut the £15 billion that was earmarked for the project.
Billions of pounds worth of public spending cuts are predicted by the Conservative government.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
