Alongside Canada and New Zealand, on 25 March 2024, South Korea has completed negotiations on the association to Horizon Europe, the EU research and innovation programme. Therefore, starting from 2025, researchers from Republic of Korea will be able to apply for funds under Pillar II just like their European counterparts. Pillar II is the largest collaborative part of the programme, which is primarily focused on shared global challenges: climate, energy, digital economy, and health, with a budget of €53.5 billion. Moreover, researchers will be able to be part of most European partnerships.
Traditionally, this form of cooperation was offered by the Union to countries in its geographic proximity. However, the Horizon Europe programme introduced a major change of the approach towards international research and innovation cooperation, introducing for the first time the possibility of association of like-minded countries with a strong science, innovation, and technology profile, not necessarily located in the geographic proximity of the EU.
The signing of the agreement is expected to take place in the second half of 2024. This agreement confirms the EU commitment to driving excellence, pooling resources for faster scientific progress, developing innovation and promoting openness in global cooperation in research.
Cooperation between the EU and the Republic of Korea in research and innovation is governed by the agreement for scientific and technological cooperation, which entered into force in 2007, and is monitored and guided by the Joint Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation.
