The Commission has published its first biennial report on the implementation of the Global Approach to Research and Innovation, which underpins the international dimension of Horizon Europe.
This report shows that, in the past two years, the Global Approach to R&I proved its effectiveness and relevance and continues to be the appropriate strategic framework for international R&I cooperation, by preserving openness and promoting values and principles and by safeguarding the EU’s strategic assets, interests, autonomy and security. The report also provides a snapshot of the EU’s position in international R&I cooperation across thematic areas.
In the first two years of Horizon Europe, the EU successfully implemented the new provisions for the association of non-EU countries to Horizon Europe. In particular, it has already started official negotiations on association with “newcomers” such as New Zealand, Canada and South Korea, while Japan is expected to commence them shortly. It developed joint commitments with international partners, helping to shape global governance. It promoted multilateral R&I cooperation to deliver science-based solutions that promote the fair green and digital transitions, health security, preparedness, and response to crises, while developing international partnerships to reduce strategic dependencies in key technological areas and value chains.
The report also shows that the EU has made significant progress in implementing the actions identified in its Communication on the Global Approach. While openness and international cooperation remain at the heart of European R&I policy, the EU is also well equipped with instruments to safeguard its interest in Horizon Europe projects, by being allowed to restrict participation of non-EU countries in the relevant areas of the programme.
Main findings
- More than 20% of topics in the first two years of Horizon Europe specifically targeted international cooperation, fostering synergies with other relevant EU programmes.
- The EU has stepped up bilateral relations with several priority countries including the USA, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan and India.
- Together with the African Union, the EU has developed a draft joint AU-EU innovation agenda and endorsed the Union for the Mediterranean ministerial declaration. Furthermore, it launched a dedicated ‘Africa Initiative’ and ‘Mediterranean Initiative’ under Horizon Europe.
- The EU developed a common set of principles and values for R&I and launched a multilateral dialogue with partner countries and international fora on values and principles for international R&I cooperation.
- The EU developed guidelines on foreign interference, guiding principles on knowledge valorisation, a code of practice for the management of intellectual assets and a code of practice on standardisation.
- Due to the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the Commission focused on dedicated support measures for Ukraine and facilitated its participation in Horizon Europe and Euratom.
- The Commission has continued to implement the EU-CELAC strategic roadmap on science, technology and innovation for 2021-2023 and will discuss future cooperation in the second half of 2023.
- The EU endorsed a 2023-2027 plan of action to implement the ASEAN-EU strategic partnership and committed to promoting cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, including with Australia, Republic of Korea, New Zealand and Singapore.
Most active non-EU countries in Horizon Europe
According to the Horizon Dashboard (data extracted on 29 June 2023), these are the most active non-EU countries in Horizon Europe (by number of participations in projects). Further information on each country is available in the “R&I Country Profiles” section of the Dashboard.
| Country | Participation | Net EU Contribution | |
| 1 | United Kingdom | 2,152 | € 56,681,237 |
| 2 | Switzerland | 1,087 | € 51,426,708 |
| 3 | Norway | 1,083 | € 656,727,960 |
| 4 | United States | 477 | € 28,342,024 |
| 5 | Israel | 477 | € 435,241,544 |
| 6 | Türkiye | 416 | € 126,682,017 |
| 7 | Serbia | 227 | € 59,759,076 |
| 8 | China | 111 | € 423,088 |
| 9 | Canada | 101 | € 4,702,651 |
| 10 | South Africa | 97 | € 31,171,341 |
| 11 | Australia | 93 | € 4,093,607 |
| 12 | Ukraine | 85 | € 18,190,576 |
| 13 | Iceland | 80 | € 36,815,334 |
| 14 | Kenya | 60 | € 16,058,066 |
| 15 | Japan | 55 | € 335,125 |
| 16 | Brazil | 50 | € 770,624 |
| 17 | Moldova | 34 | € 3,061,066 |
| 18 | North Macedonia | 32 | € 6,829,994 |
| 19 | Tunisia | 30 | € 6,100,353 |
| 20 | Uganda | 29 | € 8,475,923 |
| 21 | Tanzania | 26 | € 6,899,872 |
| 22 | Nigeria | 24 | € 5,610,495 |
| 23 | Albania | 24 | € 3,163,222 |
| 24 | Morocco | 24 | € 2,931,684 |
| 25 | Montenegro | 23 | € 2,738,730 |
| 26 | Chile | 22 | € 182,250 |
| 27 | Ghana | 22 | € 6,186,704 |
| 28 | Thailand | 22 | € 3,290,135 |
| 29 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 21 | € 2,115,993 |
| 30 | Georgia | 20 | € 2,464,443 |
| 31 | Argentina | 19 | € 431,529 |
| 32 | India | 18 | € 2,131,686 |
| 33 | South Korea | 18 | € 507,528 |
| 34 | Zambia | 16 | € 7,138,495 |
| 35 | Burkina Faso | 14 | € 3,790,912 |
| 36 | Mexico | 14 | € 0 |
| 37 | Ethiopia | 13 | € 4,412,615 |
| 38 | Lebanon | 13 | € 3,380,465 |
| 39 | Senegal | 12 | € 2,390,788 |
| 40 | Colombia | 12 | € 1,800,366 |