India Moves Closer to Joining EU’s Horizon Europe Research Programme

Sarah J · 2026-03-24T16:19:59.000Z

India is taking significant steps toward joining Horizon Europe, the European Union’s flagship research and innovation programme, as part of its broader strategy to deepen scientific and technological collaboration with Europe. The development follows exploratory talks launched between India and the European Commission in February 2026, aimed at enabling India’s potential association with the programme. If finalized, this association would allow Indian researchers, startups, universities, and companies to participate on nearly equal terms with EU counterparts, including access to direct EU funding and the ability to lead large international research projects. The initiative is part of the broader India-EU strategic agenda towards 2030, where both sides are prioritizing science, innovation, and emerging technologies as key pillars of cooperation. Horizon Europe itself is one of the world’s largest public research programmes, designed to support breakthroughs across sectors such as AI, climate tech, biotech, space, and advanced manufacturing. For India, joining the programme would mark a major shift-from being a partner country to becoming a deeply integrated player in Europe’s innovation ecosystem, contributing financially while gaining access to cutting-edge research networks.

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India Moves Closer to Joining EU’s Horizon Europe Research Programme | SEINET