More flexible entry terms for foreign countries will be offered by the European Union, during Europe’s biggest upcoming financial framework, Horizon Europe. The programme will run for seven years, from 2021 to 2028 and it will provide new opportunities for innovative R&D actions.
It is common for outside participation to be an active part of EU R&D programmes. The ‘’flexible terms’’ offer, however, is something different. According to the announcement of the EU, the terms will allow foreign countries to participate in EU Programmes under the same terms and conditions as any other EU member country.
Changes that will make history
This is a very innovative and groundbreaking change as it will allow for a broader range of partners and much more agile and palatable research programmes. As a result, many countries have shown particular interest in these changes that will allow them to have a much more active role in the research EU programmes.
Although this is the course of action that will be taken by the EU regarding Horizon Europe, no official announcements have been made yet. Interested countries are ready and waiting for negotiations to start. At the moment the EU is still going through preliminary discussions.
These discussions have brought to light the need for a person to manage all of those negotiations. Therefore, under the commission’s order, the person occupying this diplomat post and will have the managing rank of a director will be responsible to deal with all possible collaborations. For this first effort, each collaboration will be different. It will depend on the case. The person that will be responsible for this position has not yet been selected.
Strong potential candidates reach number 30
It is expected that about 30 countries will ask to be part of these negotiations. Some of the most promising candidates are Switzerland and Norway as well as Canada, Argentina, Japan, and South Africa.
The goal of these new terms will be to boost the collaboration between Europe and some of the world’s wealthiest countries that will result in promoting R&D actions in the European area and will strengthen Europe’s competitiveness in science and technology. This task, however, proves to be even more difficult.
Once the negotiations are over, we are going to have a much clearer view regarding the different collaborations that will be created between EU member states and partner countries. It is very important to note that the budget allocated in Horizon 2020 was primarily given to research and development actions for scientific purposes, that was conducted in collaboration with neighbor partner countries.
The outcome is still unknown. There is no solid information to give us an idea regarding the negotiations. It still remains to be determined, which countries will be part of these new terms and for which countries the terms remain as they are. Although this process is indeed very difficult, it does seem to be very promising for all R&D actions that will be taken during the 7 years of the Horizon Europe financial framework!
