International Cooperation in Horizon Europe

01WHAT’S UP

02INTRODUCTION

Following the entry into force of the Horizon Europe Regulation on 12 May 2021, formal negotiations have started between the EU (led by DG R&I) and third countries that have formally expressed an interest in becoming associated to the Horizon Europe Framework Programme and have completed the exploratory talks.

In Horizon Europe, there are 4 categories of countries eligible for association with the programme:

  • European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA)
  • accession countries, candidate countries and potential candidates
  • European neighborhood policy countries
  • non-EU countries  and territories that fulfil a set of criteria related to their economic, political and research and innovation systems.

As of December 2024, the association agreements with the following countries entered into force:

  1. Albania
  2. Armenia
  3. Bosnia and Herzegovina
  4. Faroe Islands
  5. Georgia
  6. Iceland
  7. Israel
  8. Kosovo
  9. Moldova
  10. Montenegro
  11. North Macedonia
  12. Norway
  13. Serbia
  14. Tunisia
  15. Türkiye
  16. Ukraine
  17. New Zealand
  18. United Kingdom
  19. Canada.

Association negotiations with Republic of Korea were completed in September 2024. Association to Pillar II is expected for 2025.

Negotiations with Switzerland started in March 2024. Transitional agreements for ERC calls opening in 2024 are in place.

Exploratory talks or negotiations with Egypt, Japan and Singapore started in 2024.

Targeted actions with key non-EU partners include the first 'Africa Initiative' and the 'Mediterranean Initiative'.

A new S&I Agenda for cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean in a limited number of strategic areas of mutual interest is being prepared.

The EU and India agreed to renew their S&T Agreement for another 5 years until 2030. India expressed interest in a possible association to Horizon Europe.

At the Joint Steering Committee on S&T cooperation on 27 November 2024, the joint willingness to step up the EU-South Africa cooperation on R&I was affirmed.

03KEY DOCUMENTS