Negotiations between the European Commission and Japan have come to a conclusion, sealing the latter’s association to Horizon Europe 2021-2027. The agreement, expected to be signed in 2026, paves the way for even stronger ties with a key strategic partner for Europe in the field of research and innovation, building on bilateral relations that have developed steadily over the past two decades.

The agreement specifically covers Pillar II of Horizon Europe, which addresses societal challenges through multinational collaborative projects, including digital transition, food security, and climate-neutral energy. Under transitional arrangements, Japanese entities will be able to apply to Horizon Europe calls starting in 2026. They will be eligible to lead and coordinate Horizon Europe projects and receive EU funding directly, in their capacity as entities from an associated country.

On Japan’s side, the agreement will remove the requirement to secure parallel domestic funding to support participation in Horizon Europe consortia. Instead, as in the case of other associated countries, Japan will make a financial contribution to the EU budget – expected to amount to approximately the equivalent of €6.6 million – to cover the costs related to the participation of its researchers in the programme.

The agreement not only reinforces the EU’s commitment to international cooperation and openness in the field of research and innovation but also strengthens the competitiveness of European R&I ecosystems, better positioning Europe to compete globally for technological leadership. In addition, at a time of heightened geopolitical instability, the conclusion of the negotiations represents a positive step towards multilateralism, following the recent association of other key global partners to Horizon Europe, including South Korea, Switzerland, Egypt, Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

Overall, the outcome of the negotiations is to be welcomed, as it further consolidates EU–Japan relations and may serve as a catalyst for more ambitious cooperation, including in the context of ongoing discussions on the EU's upcoming Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10).