International Cooperation in Horizon Europe

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 1 July 2022, 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. Turkey
  16. Ukraine
  17. New Zealand.

Association agreements can be downloaded below.


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