The EU’s €95 billion research programme, Horizon Europe, looks set to expand in 2023 as officials aim to agree new association agreements with partner countries that include Canada, Japan and South Korea.
According to EU research commissioner Mariya Gabriel, Canada is likely to be onboard in the first half of the year and exploratory talks with Japan and South Korea are “getting closer to an end”.
That is good news for researchers operating in those countries as it means they will be able to access Horizon funding on the same equal terms as the EU’s 27 member states. The association agreements will include financial contributions to secure that access.
Canada in particular is extremely keen to collaborate with the EU on energy technologies and innovation, including battery production and hydrogen. Horizon association is seen as an important part of building really strong trade and industrial relations.
Horizon Europe already counts New Zealand among its...