Japan is set to sign an agreement to join the EU’s €93.5 billion Horizon Europe research and innovation programme by the end of the year. This move marks a significant step for Japanese researchers, who are already familiar with EU research collaborations.
Currently, as a third country, Japan is not usually eligible for funding through Horizon Europe. However, Japanese organisations can participate in projects and even secure funding in select schemes. So far, 84 Japanese organisations have taken part in Horizon Europe 169 times, receiving a total of €1.25 million in funding.
The upcoming association agreement will allow Japanese researchers to join EU partners on equal terms for 2026 and 2027, the final two years of the current Horizon Europe programme. Formal negotiations on this association began in November 2024, although the EU has been courting Japan for several years.
Japan’s decision to join Horizon Europe comes as it seeks to reconfigure its science and technology policy, opening new doors for collaboration and innovation with European partners.
https://sciencebusiness.net/news/r-d-funding/horizon-europe/data-corner-japan-horizon-europe
