Korea Joins EU’s Horizon Europe Science Program
South Korea become an associate member of Horizon Europe, the world’s largest multilateral research and innovation program in terms of size of funding.
By contributing financially to the EU Horizon program, the country has been granted their researchers for direct access to Horizon Europe research funds. Only six countries have the associate membership outside EU – South Korea, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Japan and Singapore.
Researchers, organisations and companies can participate various EU Horizon programs from 2025.
Significant Milestone for EU and South Korea
Budget of Horizon Europe is 95.5 billion euros ($103.3 billion) between 2021 and 2027 – this is annual average $14.7 billion over the 7 years.
South Korea’s annual R&D budget is about $20 billion (26 trillion won) which made South Korea one of the most R&D invested country in the world based on GDP.
source: nature
Over the years, EU Horizon funded researchers have achieved 19 Nobel Prizes such as Quantum theory (2005), Graphene (2010) and Electron Microscopy (2017).
Harnessing EU and Korean innovations, EU’s bio/pharmaceutical researches, cell and gene therapies, quantum science, renewable energy and material science will benefit South Korea’s science applications, advanced telecommunication (6G), IoT, AI/ML and rising biotechnologies.
Preparation for Horizon Europe
Although the eligibility of EU Horizon will be available for Korean researchers from 2025, the following prerequisite processes are required:
- Understand EU Horizon system
- Search and create/choose the ‘right’ project
- Negotiate with EU partners as a ‘coordinator’ or a ‘participant’ for details
- Apply to the Horizon Europe program
- Conduct/conclude the research project
KPBD Korea Pharma Biotech Directory can help you to navigate Horizon Europe program right first time!
Search and Apply Horizon Europe Programme
Funding opportunities issued by the European Union institutions, agencies and bodies are available to search. These are direct financial contributions, known as grants, that are awarded to third-party beneficiaries (e.g., research organisations, public entities, non-governmental organisations, and private companies) to engage in activities that serve EU policies.
There are several ways to search suitable programmes (‘Calls for proposals’) and apply Horizon Europe programmes
- Grant office
- Program manager
- Search and apply directly 👇