Jordan and Europe innovating together under Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe is the European Union’s main programme for research and innovation. In Jordan, it funds projects that bring together universities, research centres and companies from Jordan and Europe to work on shared challenges, from energy and health to climate and digital technology.
The EU and Jordan have cooperated in the field of science and research for many years. This cooperation rests on an agreement signed in 2009 and was strengthened in 2025 through the EU-Jordan Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership, which commits both sides to increasing Jordan’s participation in EU research and innovation programmes like Horizon Europe.
“Horizon Europe is an important platform that provides Jordanian universities and researchers with broader opportunities to build international partnerships, participate in joint research projects, benefit from advanced expertise and research infrastructure, and strengthen their presence in international research and innovation networks.” said H.E. Dr. Azmi Mahafzah, Minister of Education and Human Resource Development.
H.E. Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas, Ambassador of the European Union to Jordan, highlighted that “Jordan's greatest resource is its people and human capital, its talent, its universities and its labs. Thousands of young Jordanians have already studied in Europe through Erasmus+, our flagship program in the area of higher education. Horizon Europe is another European success story, and we want Jordan to use it to the full: Horizon Europe opens the door for Jordanian students to conduct research with Europe. In clean energy, water, climate, food, health and digital, our challenges are shared. We want Jordanian and European universities, researchers and companies to team up and apply together for EU support under the Horizon program”.
A moderated dialogue then turned to practical questions: how Jordanian institutions can take part in Horizon Europe, build consortia with European partners and learn from existing success stories.
For Jordanians, the benefits are practical. Horizon Europe opens doors for Jordanian universities, young researchers, start-ups and companies to access funding, share knowledge and work with European partners on solutions.
Participants also discussed the upcoming Jordan–EU Investment Conference, scheduled for November 19, 2026 at the Dead Sea, which will focus on growth sectors such as energy, clean technology and the digital economy. In terms of next steps of Jordan and EU innovation cooperation, a new EU funded project will be signed at the Conference.
Follow the link for photos.
Princess Sumaya highlights Jordan’s role as equal partner in European research, innovation
HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, President of the Royal Scientific Society (RSS) and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Science and Peace, has emphasised the importance of strengthening Jordan–European Union cooperation in research and innovation, highlighting Jordan’s potential to contribute to global scientific progress through partnerships built on mutual benefit and shared expertise. Princess Sumaya delivered the keynote address at “Jordan–EU: Innovating Together”, a high-level event held in Amman on Wednesday, organised by the European Union Delegation to Jordan, according to an RSS statement.