Horizon Europe, the European Union’s premier research and innovation programme, aims to drive scientific excellence, address pressing global challenges, and strengthen industrial competitiveness.
With a staggering budget of €95.5 billion, it builds on the legacy of Horizon 2020 while expanding collaboration opportunities across borders. A common misconception is that only EU countries benefit from Horizon Europe funding. In reality, most countries around the globe are eligible in one form or another.
This guide explains:
1. which countries qualify for funding
2. how eligibility is structured, and
3. what this means for international research collaboration in 2025.
Below is a categorised breakdown of countries and their funding status under Horizon Europe. For detailed information, read below.
| Eligibility Category | Countries | Conditions/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yes – Associated | Albania Armenia Bosnia and Herzegovina Faroe Islands Georgia Iceland Kosovo Moldova Montenegro North Macedonia Norway Serbia Türkiye Ukraine United Kingdom (with EIC fund restrictions) Switzerland (selective calls from 2024 and full from 2025) Israel Tunisia New Zealand (Pillar II: ‘Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness’ only) Morocco (full programme) Republic of Korea (Pillar II: ‘Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness’, included for the institutionalized European partnerships, for award procedures implementing Union budget, from 2025) Canada (Pillar II: ‘Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness’ association announced 2023) | *UK excluded from EIC equity; **CH full access from 2025 |
| Yes – Low/Middle Income | A Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Azerbaijan, B Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, C Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo (Republic), Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, D Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, E Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, F Fiji, G Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, H Haiti, Honduras, I Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, J Jamaica, Jordan, K Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (DPRK), Kyrgyz Republic, L Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, M Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, N Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, P Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, R Rwanda, S Samoa, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, T Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, U Uganda, Uzbekistan, V Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Y Yemen, Z Zambia, Zimbabwe. | As per the World Bank’s 2025 classification |
| Under Conditions | Australia, India, Japan, United States, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, Panama, Uruguay, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City, Liechtenstein, Brunei, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Omar, Singapore, Chile, Uruguay, Seychelles, Taiwan. | Funding possible if: essential role, unique expertise, co-funding or own funding available |
| No | China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE | China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE |
Horizon Europe is structured into three core pillars:
- Excellent Science – Supporting frontier research through the European Research Council (ERC) and fellowships under Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.
- Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness (Pillar II) – Promoting joint action on climate, health, digital transformation, and more.
- Innovative Europe – Enhancing Europe’s capacity for market-creating innovation, particularly through the European Innovation Council (EIC).
These pillars reflect the EU’s commitment to maintaining leadership in science and innovation, while facilitating collaboration with countries worldwide.
What Are Associated Countries?
Associated countries are non-EU nations that have formal agreements with the EU, allowing their entities to participate in Horizon Europe under similar conditions as EU Member States. These countries contribute to the program financially and in return, their researchers and organisations can apply for and receive funding.
List of Associated Countries (2025)
As of 2025, 23 countries have association agreements with Horizon Europe. These include both European and non-European states:
European Continent:
- Albania
- Armenia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Faroe Islands
- Georgia
- Iceland
- Kosovo
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Serbia
- Türkiye
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom* (with EIC fund restrictions)
- Switzerland** (selective calls from 2024 and full from 2025)
Non-European Continent:
- Israel
- Tunisia
- New Zealand (Pillar II: ‘Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness’ only)
- Morocco (full programme)
- Republic of Korea (Pillar II: ‘Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness’, included for the institutionalized European partnerships, for award procedures implementing Union budget, from 2025)
- Canada *** (Pillar II: ‘Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness’ association announced 2023)
* UK participation excludes EIC equity fund
** Switzerland’s eligibility evolves with specific program phases
*** Canada is joining the growing group of non-EU countries associated with Horizon Europe to work jointly on large-scale projects tackling global challenges. Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, and Francois-Philippe Champagne, Canadian Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, are signing the agreement that gives Canadian researchers and organisations the opportunity to participate in the program on equal terms with their EU counterparts. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the conclusion of negotiations for Canada’s association to Pillar II of Horizon Europe at the EU-Canada Summit on 24 November 2023. They welcomed the announcement through a joint statement. Canada is associated with Pillar II of Horizon Europe, which funds collaborative research projects across a wide range of domains. Canadian entities can now join and lead research consortia with some of the world’s best research organisations to tackle global challenges together. They will get the opportunity to be funded directly from the program, while Canada will contribute to its budget.
Horizon Europe extends automatic funding eligibility to many countries classified as low or middle income by the World Bank. This includes much of Africa, parts of Asia, Latin America, and small island states.
Why Are These Countries Funded?
The EU aims to promote inclusivity in scientific development, bridge knowledge gaps, and strengthen partnerships in regions vulnerable to health crises, climate change, and economic instability.
Full List of Low and Middle-Income Countries Eligible for Funding
Horizon Europe recognizes over 100 countries classified as low or middle income by the World Bank. This includes:
A Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Azerbaijan,
B Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi,
C Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo (Republic), Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba,
D Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic,
E Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia,
F Fiji,
G Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana,
H Haiti, Honduras,
I Indonesia, Iran, Iraq,
J Jamaica, Jordan,
K Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (DPRK), Kyrgyz Republic,
L Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya,
M Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar,
N Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria,
P Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines,
R Rwanda,
S Samoa, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Syria,
T Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu,
U Uganda, Uzbekistan,
V Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam,
Y Yemen,
Z Zambia, Zimbabwe.
These countries are automatically eligible under most Horizon Europe calls without requiring separate association agreements.
Entities from countries not associated or classified as low/middle income may still receive Horizon Europe funding under exceptional conditions.
Criteria for Exceptional Eligibility
- Outstanding expertise
- Access to unique infrastructure
- Essential participation for project success
This pathway is typically used when expertise in specific research areas cannot be sourced from within the EU or associated countries.
National Funding Mechanisms
Countries like Australia, India, and Japan have created domestic schemes to support researchers joining Horizon Europe projects. These schemes often target select calls or research topics and require coordination with European consortia.
Not all pillars of Horizon Europe are equally open to non-EU participants.
Pillar I – Excellent Science
This is the most competitive and restricted pillar. While open to some global talent via ERC grants and Marie Curie fellowships, full access is usually reserved for EU and associated countries.
Pillar II – Global Challenges
This is the most inclusive pillar. Countries like Canada, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea participate through associations targeting this pillar. It funds projects in health, climate, food, and energy.
Pillar III – Innovative Europe
Participation is more limited here. For example, the UK cannot access the EIC equity fund, although it is eligible for most other calls.
1. Clean Energy Transition in the Balkans
Case: A project focused on accelerating the clean energy transition in the Western Balkans involved Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia, developing innovative solutions for renewable energy integration and energy efficiency.
Outcome: Developed regional renewable energy strategies and improved grid efficiency.
2. Health Innovation in Africa
Case: EU researchers collaborated with African experts to address infectious diseases, developing new diagnostic tools and treatment protocols, significantly improving healthcare outcomes.
Outcome: Introduced rapid testing protocols for malaria and tuberculosis, saving lives.
3. Digital Transformation in Latin America
Case: Researchers and industry leaders from the EU, Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia enhanced digital infrastructure and promoted digital skills, resulting in increased digital inclusion and economic growth.
Outcome: Improved digital literacy and access in rural areas through shared tech platforms.
Horizon Europe offers unprecedented funding and collaboration opportunities for a wide array of countries. From associated states in Europe to low-income nations across Africa and Asia, the programme’s global vision ensures that high-impact research is inclusive and far-reaching. Understanding eligibility categories, fully associated, automatically eligible by income, or conditionally through exception, can unlock new pathways for participation in cutting-edge science.
Whether you’re a research institute, public authority, or SME, understanding Horizon Europe’s evolving eligibility rules can be complex. Book a free consultation with our experts at Future Needs to explore your funding options and build a competitive proposal or email us at info@futureneeds.eu.
- Can the UK still participate in Horizon Europe?
Yes, but with exceptions. UK entities can apply for most calls, though they are excluded from the EIC equity fund. - What is the difference between associated and eligible countries?
Associated countries have formal agreements and pay into the program; other eligible countries may qualify due to income classification or specific call conditions. - How does a country become associated with Horizon Europe?
Through a formal association agreement negotiated with the European Commission, allowing full participation in all programme activities. - Can US-based researchers apply for funding?
Not directly funded unless they bring unique value. U.S. participation is usually in-kind or through their own institutions. - What is Pillar II and why is it important?
Pillar II supports collaborative R&I to solve global challenges and is the most inclusive pillar for non-EU countries. - Is Horizon Europe funding competitive?
Extremely. Success rates vary by call and topic, often requiring strategic partnerships and strong proposals. - Are there limits on proposals from non-EU countries?
No hard limits, but eligibility and funding depend on each country’s status and the topic-specific rules in the Work Programme.
Anna Palaiologk
Founder of Future Needs, is a Research & Innovation Consultant with 18 years of experience in proposal writing and project management. She has worked as a project Coordinator and Work Package leader in 30+ EU projects and has authored 50+ successful proposals. Her research background is in economics, business development and policy-making.
Chariton Palaiologk
Head of the EU Project Management Team, is currently leading the project management of 10+ EU-funded projects. He has a background in data analysis and resource optimisation, having worked at the Greek Foundation for Research and Technology.
