Research commissioner sets sights on association agreements

Iliana Ivanova will increase efforts to allow researchers outside the EU to access Horizon Europe

The EU’s research commissioner has set her sights on signing more agreements allowing researchers in non-EU countries to win money from the bloc’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme.

Countries outside the EU can become associate members of Horizon Europe, an option that has recently been opened for the first time to those that are not near neighbours of the bloc. New Zealand became the first such country to take advantage when it signed a deal for access earlier this year, agreeing to contribute to the scheme’s budget so its researchers can apply for funding in return.