BRUSSELS – Japan officially became associated with the EU’s Horizon Europe research programme on Friday, July 31, becoming the 23rd country to join the flagship initiative and, with 123 million people, its most populous partner.
The agreement puts Japanese researchers and organisations on equal terms with participants from EU member states and other associated countries. They can now join and lead international research consortia, receive EU funding, and work alongside top research institutions to help address global challenges, from climate change to health and the digital transition.
“Science thrives when talent, ideas and innovation cross borders. As Horizon Europe’s 23rd associated country, Japan strengthens a growing global community that believes openness, excellence and international cooperation are essential to turning research into innovation and innovation into prosperity,” said Ekaterina Zaharieva, the European commissioner for startups, research and innovation.
The association covers Horizon Europe’s Pillar II, which has a budget of 52.4 billion euros and funds multinational research and innovation projects addressing societal challenges in climate, energy, health and the digital economy. Japan will contribute financially to the programme’s budget to support the participation of its entities. Japanese participants also retain access to other parts of Horizon Europe open to third countries, including the Excellent Science and Innovative Europe pillars and the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions for doctoral education, postdoctoral training and international research collaboration.
Negotiations on Japan’s accession were concluded by the European Commission and the government of Japan in December 2025. Since January 2026, transitional arrangements have allowed Japanese entities to apply to Horizon Europe Pillar II calls and be evaluated as prospective beneficiaries. The formal association marks a milestone in the EU-Japan Strategic Partnership and builds on a science and technology cooperation agreement that dates back to 2011.
The EU and Japan said they will now expand cooperation on shared challenges, notably the digital transition, health, and technologies that support climate neutrality. An EU-Japan expert panel recently recommended exploring synergies in advanced materials, covering electronics, mobility, construction, energy and data-driven science.
With a total budget of 93.5 billion euros for 2021-2027, Horizon Europe is the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme. Japan joins 22 other associated countries, including European Economic Area members and enlargement and neighbourhood partners. The Commission presented the move as part of Europe’s global approach to research and innovation, strengthening rules-based international scientific cooperation at a time of intense technological competition with the United States and China.
Sources: European Commission announcement via The European Sting, European Interest, Innovation News Network.