Following the footsteps of New Zealand in 2023 and Canada last year, the Republic of Korea joins Horizon Europe, the EU's multibillion research and innovation program. Korean researchers and organizations can now participate in several areas of the program on equal terms with those for EU Member States. While many non-EU countries have joined past framework programs, only since Horizon Europe's launch in 2021 has it been possible for nations outside of the wider European neighborhood to join.
This association agreement strengthens the EU's geopolitical alliance with like-minded countries. The association will lead to greater opportunities for deepening joint research across continents in many fields, such as digital transition, health, and technological innovation aiming at carbon neutrality.
Since January 1st, 2025, a transitional arrangement has allowed Korean entities to apply and be evaluated as prospective beneficiaries in Horizon Europe proposals for all calls implementing Pillar 2 already in the budget 2025. Note that the country is not associated to Pillars 1 and 3, however there are many avenues for participation under the bottom-up researcher mobility schemes via ERC grants and MSCA fellowships.
Learn more about the R&I cooperation between Korea and Europe.