Ahead of Joining as an Associate Member of 'Horizon Europe'... Information Session Held for Domestic Researchers

EU's Largest Research and Innovation Program 'Horizon Europe'
South Korea, First Asian Associate Member... Third Non-European Country
2nd and 3rd Briefings Scheduled for Next Month

The Korean government is holding an information session for domestic researchers ahead of joining as an associate member of the European Union's (EU) largest research and innovation program, Horizon Europe.

On the 13th, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it will hold an information session on Horizon Europe for domestic researchers at 2 p.m. on the 16th at the Ajou Hall of Korea University.

Horizon Europe is the EU's largest and the world's largest multilateral research and innovation (R&I) program, providing a total of 95.5 billion euros (approximately 140 trillion won) in funding over seven years from 2021 to 2027. Korea completed negotiations to join Horizon Europe as an associate member on March 25, and if the agreement is finalized smoothly, it is expected to become an associate member starting next year. Korea will be the third non-European country and the first Asian country to become an associate member.

The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to hold a series of information sessions to increase domestic researchers' understanding of the Horizon Europe program and to promote participation, while proceeding with the follow-up procedures for the final agreement signing.

The first information session will focus mainly on university researchers in Korea. The Delegation of the European Union to Korea will introduce an overview of the Horizon Europe program, including its objectives and structure. Then, the Ministry of Science and ICT will explain the outline of the associate membership, key Q&A, and support available for domestic researchers, followed by a detailed Q&A session.

The second information session is scheduled for the 4th of next month at the Korea Institute of Energy Research in Daejeon, focusing on researchers from domestic government-funded research institutes. At the end of next month, a third session will be held inviting Horizon Europe participants and project evaluators. The location of the third session is yet to be determined.

Hwang Seong-hoon, Director of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "Global research collaboration, where research institutions and researchers from around the world work together, is essential to foster innovative research and development that challenges the world's best." He added, "We will do our best to prepare so that Korean researchers can have opportunities to conduct research alongside excellent European researchers through Horizon Europe."