To Capture Europe's Largest R&D 'Horizon Europe'... "Secure as Many Research Partners as Possible"

Horizon Europe Head Lasso, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission (EC) Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
"Korea to Confirm Membership by Year-End... Participation Starts January Next Year"

South Korea is pushing to become the first Asian associate member of the European Union's (EU) largest R&D (Research and Development) support program, Horizon Europe (HE). Significantly contributing to the internationalization of Korean science and technology, Signet Lasso, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission (EC) Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, which oversees Horizon Europe, stated, "The more research partners involved in joint research, the more advantageous it is to secure projects."

Signet Lasso, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission (EC) Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, is visiting the "Korea-Europe Science and Technology Conference (EKC 2024)" held in the UK and conducting an interview with the joint press corps of the Korea Science Journalists Association. Photo by Korea Science Journalists Association Joint Press Corps

On the 31st (local time), during the 'Korea-Europe Science and Technology Conference (EKC 2024)' held at the University of Warwick in Coventry, UK, Deputy Director-General Lasso said, "I hope researchers actively seize as many opportunities as possible." Horizon Europe is the largest R&D support program in Europe, investing a total of 95.5 billion euros (approximately 142 trillion won) from 2021 to 2027. Lasso explained, "We proposed membership to six non-European countries to tackle challenges that existing European member states' capabilities could not solve and to pool capabilities among countries pursuing open economies and democratic values." The countries invited to join as associate members by the EU are South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Canada, and Australia.

South Korea completed negotiations for associate membership in Horizon Europe this past March, following New Zealand (2023) and Canada (2024). Singapore, also in Asia, remains in the early stages of the membership process, while Japan plans to join Horizon Europe but has not yet begun negotiations. If South Korea completes the final signing as scheduled by the end of this year, it will become the first Asian associate member of Horizon Europe.

◆ To Increase Chances of Success in Horizon Europe... "Secure as Many Consortium Participating Institutions as Possible" = Deputy Director-General Lasso explained, "Associate members are qualified to participate in Horizon Europe at the national level and lead medium to large-scale projects." Previously, participation was only possible at the individual researcher level by joining projects led by other institutions. South Korea will participate in 'Pillar II,' the largest program within Horizon Europe. Pillar II selects R&D projects that address global challenges such as climate change and pandemics and enhance Europe's industrial competitiveness. To participate in Pillar II, it is essential to form a consortium involving at least three countries and three institutions.

Lasso said, "This is just the minimum requirement; usually, consortia are formed with participation from more than 10 institutions," adding, "Since Horizon Europe aims to bring together scientists from diverse backgrounds, the more participating institutions there are, the higher the chances of securing projects."

He also noted, "Despite holding several briefing sessions during my visits to South Korea, the method of finding collaborative institutions does not seem well known yet," and advised, "If you are struggling due to a lack of networks within the European academic community, you can use the 'EU Funding & Tenders Portal' operated by the EC to find research partners." If the membership process proceeds as planned, South Korea will participate in Horizon Europe as an associate member starting January next year. Lasso stated, "With South Korea joining Horizon Europe, more European universities and institutions will seek to conduct joint research with Korea."

Coventry, UK = Joint coverage by the Korea Science Journalists Association

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