India and European Union Reach Agreement on €93.5 Billion Horizon Programme

India and the European Union (EU) have concluded negotiations regarding New Delhi's association with 'Horizon Europe', a flagship research and innovation programme valued at €93.5 billion. This decision will pave the way for the expansion of collaboration under the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two parties. This significant step comes at a time when a historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is set to be signed between India and this group of 27 nations, which will create a market of 2 billion people.

According to the European Union, India's association with the Horizon Europe programme will strengthen scientific cooperation and create new opportunities in research. This association is considered part of the comprehensive strategic agenda of both parties for the next five years. This will provide European researchers, businesses, and research institutions more opportunities to work together with Indian partners and establish permanent scientific and technological ties.

Once the agreement is signed and the necessary procedures are completed by both parties, Indian researchers and institutions will be able to receive funding directly from Horizon Europe. They will also be able to lead collaborative projects under 'Pillar II: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness'. This is the largest part of the programme, which funds multinational research and innovation projects working on social and technological issues such as health, digital, industry, space, climate, energy, and bio-economy.

The EU stated that this move will enable European and Indian partners to pool their expertise, develop new technologies, and find solutions to shared problems. 'Association' granted to non-EU countries under Horizon Europe is the closest form of cooperation. It allows institutions of associated countries to participate on equal terms as EU counterparts in the parts of the programme covered by the agreement. In return, associated countries provide financial contributions to the programme.

Following the conclusion of negotiations, the path is now clear for the signing of the agreement. Both parties may sign the formal agreement in January. According to a report by The Hindu, India and the EU began preliminary discussions on the Horizon programme in February 2026 and formal negotiations commenced in July.

Scientific cooperation between India and the EU is based on the agreement on scientific and technological cooperation signed in 2001, which has been extended until 2030. Additionally, research and innovation are integral parts of the 'Joint EU-India Comprehensive Strategic Agenda 2030' adopted at the summit held in New Delhi on January 27. This partnership has been further strengthened by the EU-India Trade and Technology Council, which facilitates cooperation in digital fields such as Artificial Intelligence, semiconductors, digital public infrastructure, high-performance computing, and 6G.

To increase cooperation in the field of digital skills, the first 'European Legal Gateway Office' was launched in India last February, aiming to facilitate secure and legal mobility in the ICT sector within the EU. The Horizon Europe programme runs from 2021 to 2027, with a total budget of €93.5 billion.