India and the European Union have successfully concluded negotiations on New Delhi’s association with Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship €93.5-billion research and innovation funding program, marking a significant advance in scientific and technological cooperation between the two partners.

Under the proposed arrangement, Indian researchers, businesses, universities and research organisations will gain access to direct funding from Horizon Europe and will be eligible to lead international collaborative research projects under Pillar II, which focuses on global challenges and European industrial competitiveness.

The agreement is expected to come into effect in January next year once it has been formally signed and the necessary ratification procedures on both sides are completed.

The collaboration will cover a wide range of strategic sectors, including healthcare, Artificial Intelligence, digital technologies, space, climate, energy, industrial development and the bio-economy. These areas are increasingly viewed as critical to future economic growth, technological leadership and sustainable development.

Describing the development as an important step forward in India-EU relations, the European Commission said the agreement would strengthen scientific cooperation, create new research opportunities and further deepen the strategic partnership between the two sides.

Welcoming the breakthrough, EU Commissioner for Start-Ups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva said, “The agreement opens new opportunities for our businesses. Horizon Europe will help our researchers and innovators work together on what comes next. We want Europe and India to be partners in developing the technologies that will shape our future.”

Horizon Europe is the European Union’s largest-ever research and innovation framework program, with a budget of €93.5 billion for the 2021-2027 period. Association represents the closest level of cooperation available to countries outside the EU under the scheme.

Indian institutions will be able to participate on terms similar to organisations in EU member states within the areas covered by the agreement. This will allow Indian scientists not only to receive grants directly from the European Commission but also to coordinate and lead major multinational research initiatives.

The program currently includes 23 associated non-EU countries, among them the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, South Korea and Switzerland. India’s inclusion places it among a select group of nations participating in one of the world’s most significant collaborative research ecosystems.

The conclusion of negotiations follows broader efforts by India and the EU to expand cooperation in advanced technologies, innovation, Artificial Intelligence, semiconductors, digital infrastructure and other strategically important sectors.

Once implemented, the agreement is expected to provide fresh impetus to India-EU scientific and technological engagement, strengthen research networks, encourage innovation-driven partnerships and accelerate joint development of next-generation technologies.

Agencies