The European Commission and Egypt have concluded negotiations for Egypt to become an associated country to Horizon Europe, the European Union’s main research and innovation funding programme. The agreement is expected to be officially signed by November 2025, following the necessary approvals from both sides.
As of now, transitional arrangements will allow Egyptian institutions to take part in Horizon Europe funding calls from the 2025 budget onward. These organisations will be treated in the same way as those based in EU member countries, giving them full access to the programme’s opportunities.
This type of association is the closest form of research and innovation cooperation offered by the EU to non-member countries. Once the agreement comes into effect, Egyptian researchers and institutions will be able to participate in projects and funding calls under the same conditions as their EU counterparts.
Egypt will be the second African country, after Tunisia, to gain full association with Horizon Europe. This development reflects the deepening research ties between Egypt and the EU.
The agreement builds on a long-standing collaboration, dating back to the 2005 EU-Egypt Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement. Egypt has also taken part in broader regional initiatives such as PRIMA (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area), and has worked closely with the EU within the frameworks of the Union for the Mediterranean and the African Union.
The recent conclusion of negotiations follows high-level diplomatic engagement, including the signing of a Joint Declaration in March 2024 that strengthened EU-Egypt relations and laid the groundwork for closer cooperation. Egypt’s participation in Horizon Europe is also expected to support research system reforms and improve institutional capabilities within the country, while contributing to shared regional priorities.