EU and Japan successfully conclude negotiations on Horizon Europe Association
The European Commission and the Government of Japan have successfully concluded negotiations on Japan’s association to Pillar II of Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation funding programme. The agreement is expected to be signed in 2026, with its entry into force subject to final validation by both parties.
Transitional agreements will apply from January 2026 onwards. Japanese entities will be able to participate in Horizon Europe calls and will be treated as "eligible entities" established in an associated country.
Association to Horizon Europe is the closest form of collaboration offered by the EU in research and innovation. It will able Japanese research entities to lead and coordinate their own research and innovation projects under the programme, to apply and receive funding, and to work more closely with partners in the EU and the other Horizon Europe associated countries.
Going forward, the EU and Japan can collaborate through Horizon Europe in research areas of joint strategic interest, such as advanced materials, semiconductors, biotechnology, AI, quantum computing, renewable energy or fusion technology. The association will underpin the existing policy dialogues between the EU and Japan, including the EU-Japan Enhanced Dialogue on Advanced Materials; the EU-Japan Digital Partnership and the EU-Japan Broader Approach agreement on the development of fusion power.
Association gives Japan access to the governance structures of Horizon Europe, giving it a say in the design of the programme. Given its multinational nature, the research results generated by the consortia under Horizon Europe demonstrate high citation rates.
Background
Japan is a key strategic partner for Europe. Bilateral relations in research and innovation have developed steadily over the past two decades, building on the Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement, which came into force in 2011, the regular meetings of the Joint Committee on S&T, a joint vision adopted in 2015, and a Letter of Intent signed in May 2020. The conclusion of the negotiations on association of Japan to Horizon Europe marks the beginning of a new chapter in collaboration in research and innovation between the two power houses, in a very concrete and substantial way.
More information
Global approach to research and innovation
International cooperation with Japan in research and innovation
Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, said:
“Openness and international cooperation must guide the future of science and technology. We believe that scientific cooperation can build bridges, even in challenging geopolitical times. I look forward to strengthening our partnership as Japan joins the 22 countries already associated to Horizon.”