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Participants pose for a commemorative photo during the 8th Korea-EU Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology, held in March at the National Science and Technology Advisory Council in Jongno-gu, Seoul. / Source: Ministry of Science and ICT

Korea has officially joined “Horizon Europe,” the world’s largest multilateral research and innovation program, becoming the first Asian country to do so.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on July 17 that it held a signing ceremony with the European Commission in Brussels to formalize Korea’s association with the EU’s Horizon Europe program. The agreement outlines Korea’s participation in the EU’s research and innovation framework for 2021–2027 and was signed by Yoo Jeong-hyun, Korea’s ambassador to the EU, and Signe Ratso, deputy director-general for research and innovation at the European Commission.

Horizon Europe is the EU’s flagship research and innovation program, launched in 1984, and currently funded with €95.5 billion (about 150 trillion won) over a 7-year span from 2021 to 2027. It includes all 27 EU member states, as well as 19 associated non-EU countries such as the UK and Norway. Korea now becomes the first country in Asia to gain associated country status in the program.

Korea’s path to association began in 2018, when the EU first proposed the idea. Korea submitted a letter of intent in 2021, leading to exploratory and formal negotiations, which concluded in 2024. Both parties completed internal procedures by May 2025, clearing the way for this week’s official signing.

Korea will participate in “Pillar 2” of Horizon Europe, which focuses on global challenges and industrial competitiveness. With €53.5 billion in funding, this pillar allows Korean researchers to apply for research projects on equal footing with their EU and associated-country counterparts. Selected projects will receive direct EU funding without the need for separate domestic evaluations.

To support domestic participation, the Korean government plans to offer pre-planning grants, hold Horizon Europe information sessions, establish a dedicated team within the National Research Foundation, and launch a Korea-EU researcher networking forum.

Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon welcomed the agreement, saying, “Korea’s participation as an associated country will serve as a launchpad for expanding joint research with Europe in cutting-edge fields such as AI, quantum technologies, and advanced biotech. The government will fully support efforts to strengthen this cooperation.”