In Horizon Europe, international cooperation (outside the European Union) is a major pillar in responding to major global challenges while consolidating the EU’s competitiveness and strategic autonomy. It makes it possible to combine openness to external partnerships and the strengthening of European interests in a multi-competitive context, thanks to dedicated calls for projects.
A global strategy to meet international challenges
As part of the Horizon Europe programme, international cooperation plays a key role in advancing research and innovation on a global scale. As part of the EU’s global approach to R&I, it enables third countries (i.e. those that are neither Member States nor Associated Countries of the Framework Programme) to participate in European projects, thereby guaranteeing the EU privileged access to cutting-edge research, the best talent and new economic opportunities in emerging markets. It is also a lever for scientific diplomacy, helping to strengthen the EU’s influence and external policy. The strength of this cooperation lies in the need to respond collectively to major global challenges (such as climate, health, digital technology and security), which transcend borders and call for joint mobilisation.
Priority given to competitiveness
While openness to the world remains essential for pooling resources, the dynamic has changed. Long driven by the slogan ‘open to the world’, Europe’s international cooperation strategy is now refocused on the EU’s competitiveness. This report marked a turning point by reaffirming the priority of achieving European strategic autonomy, thereby influencing the direction of research and innovation policy. From now on, the objective is to better reconcile openness, values and European interests in order to strengthen its technological leadership.
The regions concerned
To implement its policy of international cooperation in research and innovation, the EU, in close consultation with the Member States, engages in strategic dialogues with third countries and regions around the world. The aim of these dialogues is to identify common research priorities and jointly define the areas on which cooperation efforts should focus.
These dialogues are structured by major geographical region:
- Afrique
- Méditerranée
- Balkans occidentaux
- Partenariat oriental
- Amérique latine et Caraïbes
Ineligible countries
Industrialised countries and the largest middle-income economies (Brazil, China, Russia and India) are generally not eligible for European funding, as they are considered to be able to cover the participation costs of their national entities. Exceptions are possible, however, either when a specific provision is included in the work programme, or when the participation of these countries is deemed essential for the success of a project (read the ‘Specific conditions’ section of the calls carefully).
This approach enables the European Union to remain open to international collaboration, while adjusting its priorities to give priority to strategic partnerships and safeguard its scientific, economic and geopolitical interests in an increasingly competitive global context.
Countries associated with Horizon Europe
In addition to the regional dialogues, the EU is developing stronger partnerships with certain associated countries, which benefit from a status enabling them to participate in the Horizon Europe programme, in particular through Pillar II dedicated to global challenges. The list of countries associated with Horizon Europe is regularly updated.
Focus on Canada and Korea
Among the associated countries, two stand out: Canada and South Korea.
In July 2024, Canada became an associate country of Horizon Europe, strengthening a major partnership that covers a wide range of areas, notably through :
- The Green Alliance, covering climate and environmental policies, ocean protection, energy transition, green industrial transformation and climate and biodiversity financing, with the shared goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
- The Digital Partnership, focusing on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, secure connectivity, online platforms, digital identity and the development of digital skills.
South Korea is the first Asian country to join Horizon Europe, with an agreement signed in March 2024 and effective from January 2025. Motivated by the desire to avoid isolation in global technological competition, particularly in the face of China, this alliance is in line with Europe’s policy of opening up to scientifically advanced and democratic countries, in a geopolitical context marked by the war in Ukraine. This partnership is set to become one of the most strategic, with collaborative ventures planned in innovative sectors such as robotics, hydrogen and green technologies.
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