Egypt has officially associated to Horizon Europe, the European Union¡¯s flagship funding programme for research and innovation.

With Egypt a fully associated country, the European Commission , ¡°Egyptian researchers, universities, innovators and entities [will have] access to all parts of the programme on similar terms to those of EU Member States¡±, enabling them to ¡°lead projects, contribute to cutting-edge research, and support national research reforms and institutional capacity-building¡±.

The association will also cement Egypt¡¯s ¡°extended participation¡± in existing collaborations such as the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA), which works to ¡°enhance water management, farming systems and food value chains¡±, .

Egypt is the second African country to associate to the framework programme after Tunisia, which joined Horizon Europe in 2022 and was also associated to its predecessor, Horizon 2020. Other countries outside the European Union to associate in recent years include South Korea, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom, while .

ÌÇÐÄVlog

Egypt¡¯s Ministry of ÌÇÐÄVlog and Research, led by minister Mohamed Ayman Ashour, as ¡°a historic step that embodies a new chapter in scientific diplomacy and international cooperation between Egypt and the European Union, and confirms the shared political will to enhance cooperation in the fields of knowledge, innovation, and sustainable development¡±.

The association, the ministry said, reflects a ¡°shared vision¡± to ¡°place science, innovation, and people at the heart of sustainable development efforts and shared prosperity between our two regions¡±.

ÌÇÐÄVlog

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement, ¡°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¡±.

Research commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva added, ¡°Egypt¡¯s association to Horizon Europe opens a new chapter in our trusted partnership. Our researchers will work side by side to develop solutions that advance science, innovation, and shared progress across the Mediterranean region.¡±

emily.dixon@timeshighereducation.com