Egypt becomes second African country to join Horizon Europe

On Tuesday 22nd, Egypt has officially joined Horizon Europe, becoming the second African country associated to the EU’s multibillion-euro research and innovation (R&I) programme. This grants Egyptian researchers, universities, innovators and entities access to all parts of the programme on similar terms to those of EU Member States. It enables them to lead projects, contribute to cutting-edge research, and support national research reforms and institutional capacity-building.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “People are at the core of the EU-Egypt partnership — supporting them to develop their talents, ideas, and skills. Egypt’s association to Horizon Europe will create opportunities for cutting-edge projects and innovations. These developments will be in vital research areas like water management, sustainable farming, and food security, bringing tangible benefits to our societies.”

The agreement was signed today at the EU–Egypt Summit in Brussels by EU Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva, and the Egyptian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Prof. Dr. Mohamed Ayman Ashour, in the presence of EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. This milestone builds on the long-standing EU-Egypt cooperative relationship, providing a platform for strengthened partnership in tackling global challenges, from digital transformation to climate action. It also strengthens regional research and innovation collaboration.

The agreement extends Egypt’s participation in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) to enhance water management, farming systems and food value chains.

R&I cooperation with Egypt

Egypt has long been a trusted partner in research and innovation cooperation with the EU, the Union for the Mediterranean, and the African Union. This evolving partnership builds on the 2005 EU–Egypt Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement and Egypt’s participation in initiatives such as the PRIMA.

In April 2025, the EU and Egypt successfully concluded negotiations on Egypt’s association to Horizon Europe, reinforcing Egypt’s research and innovation capacities and strengthening its role in regional and international scientific collaboration.

Background

With a budget of €93.5 billion for 2021-27, Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation. It tackles climate change, supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth.

To date,  21 countries are associated to Horizon Europe, either based on their membership of the European Economic Area (EEA); as acceding countries, candidate countries and potential candidates; as European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) countries; or as other third countries and territories that fulfil a set of criteria related to their economic, political and research and innovation systems.

More information: European Commission