The EU and US agreed to strengthen R&I collaboration in several mutually beneficial research areas.
In addition to reiterating their commitment to jointly tackling the current geopolitical challenges, in a joint statement published after the US-EU Summit that took place in Washington D.C. earlier this week, both sides confirmed their readiness to deepen collaboration on strategically important technologies such as 6G, AI, quantum and clean energy technologies:
“We recognize the importance of expanding research collaboration between the European Union and the United States for critical and emerging technologies such as AI, quantum, renewable energy, and other key areas, including by enabling transatlantic research funding activities that allow for both U.S. and EU researcher leadership while considering reciprocity in access to respective U.S. and EU research programmes and ensuring symmetry in managing intellectual property.”
For 6G wireless communication systems specifically, both actors agreed to develop a joint vision and industry roadmap for research and development.
Many of the initiatives mentioned in the joint statement will be addressed within the framework of the US-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC), which is an important forum for discussion on all matters related to transatlantic trade and technology cooperation.
Finally, concerning expanding people-to-people contacts, both sides have committed to significantly increasing the funding available for transatlantic academic exchanges under Erasmus+ and the Fulbright-Schuman programme:
“Together, the United States and the European Union intend to provide additional resources to increase the number of transatlantic academic exchanges. The European Union will increase its funding to the Erasmus+ programme and will double EU support to the Fulbright-Schuman programme, and across all Fulbright Commissions in EU Member States. The United States plans to increase its funding to all Fulbright Commissions in EU Member States, including the Fulbright-Schuman programme.”
Why is this important for Horizon Europe?
Political declarations like this one eventually lead to the inclusion of dedicated calls for proposals in Horizon Europe Work Programmes that help researchers from both sides of the Atlantic cooperate on EU-funded projects in areas of mutual interest. They also significantly increase the likelihood of dedicated funding pots being available for American researchers and innovators participating in such projects since they are not automatically eligible to receive EU funding.