Associated status is the closest form of research and innovation cooperation between European Union (EU) Member States and non-EU countries, allowing non-EU countries to take part in the various actions of the Horizon Europe programme on the same terms (rights and obligations) as Member States.

This privileged relationship makes it easier to work on and fund joint projects. The framework increases opportunities for the non-EU countries’ national researchers/entities to collaborate with those of the Member States and other associated countries. It also gives access to a broad range of calls for proposals issued under the EU framework programmes. No additional administrative requirements are imposed, provided that the legal entities meet the same requirements as any other legal entity located in the EU.

KEY POINTS

International cooperation

The association agreements are part of the EU’s global approach to research and innovation, its wider strategy for international cooperation.
International cooperation on Horizon Europe is covered by Article 16 of Regulation (EU) 2021/695.

Scope

The non-EU countries participate in all parts (or ‘pillars’) of Horizon Europe, which is implemented by Council Decision (EU) 2021/764 (see summary) and through a financial contribution to the European Institute of Technology.

Participation and cooperation

The association agreements set out the rules for participating in Horizon Europe, guaranteeing the equal treatment of all associated partners, in particular regarding:

the terms and conditions for participating in Horizon Europe, including the participatory rights of the representatives of the non-EU countries in the programme’s organisational structures;
financial contributions – in the form of an operational contribution and a participation fee – and their related management, execution and operation costs (detailed rules are set out in Annex I).
the functioning of the automatic correction mechanism for determining financial contributions throughout the implementation of the programme (detailed rules are set out in Annex I).

Legal entities established in Member States can take part in equivalent programmes and projects (or parts thereof) in the non-EU country, in accordance with their laws (see Annex II).

Both parties must mutually promote and encourage open-science practices in their programmes and projects as per the rules of the Horizon Europe programme and the national laws or regulations of the non-EU country concerned.

The only limitation to participation in the programme is linked to the protection of the EU’s strategic assets, interests, autonomy and security, as defined by Article 22(5) of the regulation.

Joint Research and Innovation Committee

The association agreements set up a joint committee composed of members from the EU and the non-EU country concerned. Its tasks include the following.

Assessing, evaluating and reviewing the implementation of the agreement, in particular:
- the participation and performance of the legal entities of the non-EU country in Horizon Europe;
- the level of (mutual) openness for bodies and companies of one of the parties to take part in the programmes and projects of the other (reciprocity – see Annex II);
- the implementation of the financial contribution mechanism and the automatic correction mechanism; and
- the use of research results, including intellectual property rights.
Examining how to improve and develop cooperation and exchanging information on any matter relating to the implementation of the agreement.

The joint committees meet at least once per year, but regular correspondence between the parties is encouraged in order to closely follow up the proper implementation of the agreement.

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

The association agreements are applicable (entry into force or provisional application) since 1 January 2021.

	Signature	Provisional application / Entry into force
Albania	1.2.2022	30.5.2022
Armenia	12.11.2021	11.2.2022
Bosnia and Herzegovina	6.12.2021	11.1. 2022
Georgia	7.12.2021	1.2.2022
Israel	6.12.2021	6.12.2021
Kosovo*	23.11.2021	24.2.2022
Moldova	27.10.2021	16.12.2021
Montenegro	6.12.2021	6.12.2021
North Macedonia	6.12.2021	10.12.2021
Serbia	6.12.2021	6.12.2021
Turkey	27.10.2021	18.11.2021

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

Horizon Europe (European Commission)
International cooperation (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENTS

International Agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania, of the other part, on the participation of the Republic of Albania in the Union programme Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (OJ L 95, 23.3.2022, pp. 174–188).

Agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part, on the participation of the Republic of Armenia in the Union programme Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (OJ L 95, 23.3.2022, pp. 48–62).

International Agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, of the other, on the participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Union programme Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (OJ L 95, 23.3.2022, pp. 79–94).

International Agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part, on the participation of Georgia in the Union programme Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (OJ L 95, 23.3.2022, pp. 158–173).

Agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and Israel, of the other part, on the participation of Israel in the Union programme Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (OJ L 95, 23.3.2022, pp. 143–157).

International Agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and Kosovo*, of the other part, on the participation of Kosovo in the Union programme Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (OJ L 95, 23.3.2022, pp. 95–109).

Agreement between the European Union, of the one part and the Republic of Moldova, of the other part, on the participation of the Republic of Moldova in the Union programme Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (OJ L 95, 23.3.2022, pp. 18–32).

International Agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and Montenegro, of the other part, on the participation of Montenegro in the Union programme Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (OJ L 95, 23.3.2022, pp. 110–125).

International Agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and the Republic of North Macedonia, of the other part, on the participation of North Macedonia in the Union programme Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (OJ L 95, 23.3.2022, pp. 126–142).

Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Serbia on the participation of the Republic of Serbia in the Union programme Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (OJ L 95, 23.3.2022, pp. 63–78).

International Agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and the Republic of Turkey, of the other part, on the participation of the Republic of Turkey in the Union programme Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (OJ L 95, 23.3.2022, pp. 33–47).

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Horizon Europe – Association agreements with non-EU countries

SUMMARY OF:

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE AGREEMENTS?

KEY POINTS

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

BACKGROUND

MAIN DOCUMENTS

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