Step closer for Aotearoa researchers to access EU funding grants

Exploratory talks between the European Union (EU) and New Zealand have come to an end, with both sides seeing an excellent basis to move forward in the process to make New Zealand an Associate member to Horizon Europe.  

Horizon Europe is the EU’s Europe-wide research and innovation funding programme. The programme holds a budget of approximately €95 billion, equivalent to about $157 billion NZ dollars over 7 years. As an Associate member, New Zealand researchers would be able to apply directly to Horizon Europe grants, as if they were in Europe.

“We’ve had three rounds of very constructive and efficient talks with the EU,” says Simon Rae, International Science Partnerships Manager, MBIE.

“Horizon Europe would be a wonderful opportunity for researchers, enabling greater impact and increasing international scientific collaboration with Europe. I’m excited to continue developing our relationship on research, science and innovation with the EU in the coming months.”

MBIE and the EU will now seek mandates from respective decision makers to launch formal treaty negotiations.