Japan joins the EU’s Horizon Europe research programme

Brussels – “Today’s signing marks an important milestone that will enable researchers, universities, research institutes, and companies from Japan and Europe to pool their world-class expertise and create innovations.” So said the Ambassador at the Mission of Japan to the European Union in Brussels, Hamada Takashi, who presented the agreement which, as of today (30 July), formalises the Land of the Rising Sun’s accession to Horizon Europe, the EU’s research programme. The cooperation agreement was signed by Takashi and the Deputy Director-General for Innovation, Prosperity and International Cooperation at the European Commission (DG RTD), Maria Cristina Russo. 

As of today, Russo explained, “Japanese organisations can now take part in collaborative calls for proposals on an equal footing with their European counterparts, coordinate multinational consortia, and receive funding directly through Horizon Europe.” In particular, the Tokyo partnership relates to Pillar II of Horizon Europe, that is, the section “Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness,” which has a budget of 52.4 billion euros out of the total 93.5 billion allocated to the programme for the period 2021–2027. This pillar funds multinational research and innovation projects addressing challenges relating to climate, energy, health and the digital economy. 

Japanese participants will also have access to other sections of Horizon Europe open to third countries, including Excellent Science, Innovative Europe, and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, which aim to support PhD students, post-docs and international collaboration in research. 

With a population of 123 million, Japan is the most populous country to join Horizon, becoming its 23rd associate. Negotiations on Japan’s accession were concluded in December 2025, while since January, transitional arrangements have enabled Japanese organisations to apply for calls under Pillar II of Horizon Europe and to be assessed as potential beneficiaries. Its association is based on a partnership established in 2011 through the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation. 

According to the EU’s Deputy Director, “the partnership is much more than just funding.” It is about “connecting our research and innovation ecosystems, strengthening dialogue between policy-makers and building lasting partnerships based on excellence, openness and mutual trust,” she said. The European Commissioner for Start-ups, Innovation and Research, Ekaterina Zaharieva, welcomed the country, stating that “Japan strengthens a growing global community that believes openness, excellence and international cooperation are essential for transforming research into innovation and innovation into prosperity.”