Image: European Union
Canada’s prime minister describes EU programme as “world’s greatest” research and innovation funding scheme
Canada is joining the EU’s roughly €95.5 billion research and innovation programme, Horizon Europe, as an associate member, the country’s prime minister has announced.
During a visit of the EU’s top politicians to his country on 24 November, Justin Trudeau (pictured right) told media that the long-discussed move was finally going ahead.
“Canada is joining Horizon Europe, which is the greatest research and innovation mechanism in the world right now,” he said.
“This is about the research and the innovation that’s going to create a better future for all citizens.”
Deals in train
Association to the EU’s R&I programmes allows non-EU countries to win funding from them, in exchange for a budget contribution. More practically, it eases R&I collaboration between such countries and the bloc.
Horizon Europe is the first EU R&I programme for which association is being opened up to countries outside of the European neighbourhood. Formal talks with Canada started a year ago, shortly before New Zealand became the first such country to secure a deal.
Japan and South Korea are also holding talks on association agreements, while earlier this week the European Commission announced that exploratory discussions would be able to start with Switzerland, which has been prevented from associating due to a political spat between the country and the bloc.
Over the summer, the UK agreed a deal that will come into effect next year.
‘Substantive negotiations complete’
In a joint statement published late in the afternoon on 24 November, the EU and Canada explained that “substantive negotiations” on Canada’s association to Horizon Europe had been completed.
The two sides confirmed that these talks concerned only the second pillar of the programme, which is focused on collaborative R&I on global societal challenges and industrial competitiveness, and added that the deal was expected to be signed off next year.
“Both sides are working towards…prompt signature and implementation”, the joint statement said. “The agreement will further strengthen the cooperation of our science communities in addressing global challenges.”
The statement said the EU and Canada share values on human rights, democracy and the rule of law, which the EU considers a requirement for Horizon Europe association.
It added: “Our steadily deepening partnership makes us stronger and more resilient, delivering clear benefits to our people by generating sustainable economic growth and creating jobs.”
“Our common values and principles are why we are positioned to grow circular, nature positive and climate-neutral economies across Canada and Europe that are competitive, inclusive and provide equal opportunities for all, and why we are able to work together to fight the triple crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.”
Sectoral welcome
Kurt Deketelaere and Mattias Björnmalm, the secretaries general of the League of European Research Universities and the Cesaer group of European science and technology universities, respectively, both described Trudeau’s announcement as “excellent” news.
“We should seek to associate as many excellent and like-minded third countries as possible with EU funding programmes in R&I and education,” Björnmalm added.
Commission president Ursula von der Leyen (pictured left) said: “We warmly welcome Canada into the Horizon Europe family, and we eagerly anticipate the innovative breakthroughs and transformative discoveries that will emerge from our joint projects. Together, we will chart new frontiers, push the boundaries of knowledge, and build a more resilient and prosperous world for generations to come.”
The joint statement also announced a new partnership on digitisation, including artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.
Update 24/11 – This article was updated with the details from the joint statement and the reaction from the sector