India and the European Union have concluded negotiations on New Delhi's association with Horizon Europe, the EU's €93.5-billion flagship research and innovation programme, marking a significant step towards expanding bilateral cooperation in science, technology and industrial innovation.
The European Commission announced the development on Friday, saying the conclusion of negotiations would strengthen scientific cooperation, create new research opportunities and deepen the strategic partnership between India and the 27-member bloc.
The agreement is expected to pave the way for Indian researchers, universities, scientific institutions and businesses to participate more extensively in European research projects. India's association with the programme is envisaged to begin in January 2027, subject to the completion of necessary procedures by both sides.
𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀
Once the association agreement is signed and the required formalities are completed, Indian researchers and organisations will become eligible to receive funding directly from Horizon Europe and lead collaborative projects under Pillar II, which focuses on Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness.
Pillar II constitutes the largest component of the programme and supports multinational research projects addressing challenges in healthcare, digital technologies, industry, space, climate change, energy and the bioeconomy.
The arrangement will allow Indian and European institutions to combine their expertise, develop emerging technologies and pursue joint solutions to scientific and industrial challenges.
Association with Horizon Europe represents the closest form of research and innovation cooperation offered by the EU to countries outside the bloc. It enables participating organisations to work on terms comparable to their European counterparts in the areas covered by the agreement, while associated countries make financial contributions to the programme.
𝗘𝗨 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva welcomed the conclusion of negotiations, highlighting the opportunities for businesses, researchers and innovators on both sides.
She said Horizon Europe would help Indian and European researchers work together on future technologies and strengthen their capacity to develop solutions to common challenges.
The Commission said the successful conclusion of negotiations cleared the way for the signing of the association agreement, although its implementation would depend on the completion of the relevant procedures.
𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿
India and the EU launched exploratory discussions on Horizon Europe association in February 2026, following the India-EU Summit in New Delhi in January.
Formal negotiations began in July as part of efforts to deepen cooperation in strategic technologies, research and innovation.
The development builds on the bilateral Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation signed in 2001, which has been renewed until 2030.
Scientific collaboration is also a central component of the Joint India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda to 2030, adopted during the January summit.
The partnership has been strengthened through the India-EU Trade and Technology Council, which facilitates cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, digital public infrastructure, high-performance computing, digital skills and sixth-generation wireless communication technologies.
𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗶'𝘀 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁
The announcement comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's expected visit to Brussels in mid-December for the formal signing of the India-EU free trade agreement.
Negotiations for the trade agreement were concluded in January, and the pact is expected to take effect next year after the necessary ratification procedures.
The Horizon Europe initiative runs from 2021 to 2027 and has a budget of €93.5 billion, making it one of the world's largest publicly funded research and innovation programmes.
A total of 23 non-EU countries are currently associated with the programme, including Canada, Japan, South Korea, Norway, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
Negotiations for Australia's association have also been concluded.
India's proposed participation is expected to expand opportunities for joint research, technology development and industrial collaboration, while strengthening scientific ties between Indian institutions and their European counterparts.