India and the European Union have successfully concluded negotiations on New Delhi’s association with Horizon Europe, the bloc’s 93.5-billion-euro flagship research and innovation funding programme. Under the arrangement, Indian researchers, businesses and research organisations will be eligible to receive direct funding from Horizon Europe and lead international collaborative research projects under its second pillar, which focuses on global challenges and European industrial competitiveness. Once signed and ratified by both sides, the agreement is expected to come into effect in January next year.
The programme covers key areas such as healthcare, Artificial Intelligence, digital technology, space, climate, energy and industrial development. The European Commission said the agreement marks a significant milestone in India-EU relations and will strengthen scientific cooperation, create new research opportunities and deepen their strategic partnership.
Welcoming the development, EU Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva said the agreement would open up new opportunities for businesses, researchers and innovators on both sides to work together in developing future technologies.
Horizon Europe currently includes 23 associated non-EU countries, ranging from the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan to South Korea and Switzerland. The association will enable Indian institutions to receive grants directly from the European Commission and allow Indian scientists to lead and coordinate major international research projects in the covered areas, on terms similar to those available to organisations in EU member states.
The agreement is expected to give fresh impetus to India-EU scientific and technological cooperation and strengthen collaboration in emerging technologies and innovation.
