New Zealand moves towards formal negotiations with the EU on the association to Horizon Europe Programme
The European Commission and New Zealand Government have reached an important milestone in their discussions on deeper science collaboration, with the formal negotiations for New Zealand to join Horizon Europe poised to begin, according to Research, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Ayesha Verrall and European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, Mariya Gabriel.
The Association would enable New Zealand researchers and organisations to participate in the programme on equal terms with entities from the EU Members States. Researchers and teams based in Aotearoa would therefore be able to access research funding and networks that involve researchers from Europe and other Associated countries and work closely with them for solving global challenges, including climate change, energy and global health issues.
Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth said:
“New Zealand and the European Union have a long standing cooperation on research and innovation thanks to the Scientific and Technological Cooperation Agreement concluded in 2009. The EU is glad about the perspective of welcoming New Zealand, a long-standing political and economic ally of the EU, in the programme. Together, we will address common global challenges from climate change to environmental degradation, from food security to health crises.”
The association to Horizon Europe supports the ‘Global approach to cooperation in research and innovation’ and reconfirms Europe's commitment to a level of global openness needed to drive excellence, pool resources for faster scientific progress and the development of vibrant innovation ecosystems.
Dr Ayesha Verrall, Research, Science and Innovation Minister said:
“This is an important milestone in New Zealand’s progress to joining Horizon Europe as an Associated country. Association to Horizon Europe will see New Zealand researchers be able to access Horizon funds on the same basis as their European collaborators. The EU and New Zealand are natural partners with joint research objectives in areas like transitioning to zero carbon and reducing emissions from agriculture, responding to COVID-19 and pandemic preparedness and developing emerging technology. Becoming an Associated country of Horizon Europe would reflect our deep relationship and shared values, especially at a time of disruption and uncertainty.”
Background:
Formal relations between the EU and New Zealand in the field of research and innovation date back to 2009, with the signature of the Agreement on cooperation in scientific and technological cooperation. The Agreement has provided the general framework for cooperation and acted as a forum for regular discussions about research priorities and areas of common interest ever since.
Following President von der Leyen's statement with New Zealand Prime Minister Ardern on 30 June 2022, Dr Ayesha Verrall has today expressed her willingness to see New Zealand enter the Association negotiating phase. The proposal to Associate to Horizon Europe has received strong support from the New Zealand research community.
Horizon Europe is the biggest EU research and innovation programme ever with more than €90 billion (approx. NZD$164 billion) of funding available over 7 years (2021 to 2027). It is open to the world, which means that participants from all over the world can participate in most calls.
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