The EC’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG Research) develops the European Union’s policy in the field of research and technological development. Horizon 2020 is the research framework for years 2014-2020, following FP7 during years 2007-2013.
Many programs in DG Research are open to partners in non-EU countries. Calls for proposals sometimes include specific priorities where non-EU participation is encouraged or required.
Grant Programs for Agriculture, Energy, Environment, Natural Resources
1 — Bioeconomy. This refers to those parts of the economy that use renewable biological resources from land and sea — such as crops, forests, fish, animals, and micro-organisms — to produce food, materials and energy.
2 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions are a program of fellowships and institutional strengthening to fund training networks; international research exchanges; grants for career development and integration; co-funding of regional, national, and international programs; and industry-academic partnerships.
Some opportunities are open on a worldwide basis, while others are restricted to individuals and organizations in EU member states (sometimes including candidate countries and associated countries).
About the program
3 — International Cooperation. DG Research supports bilateral and bi-regional coordination in science and technology, including programs and projects with some developing and emerging countries.
APPLICATION (for 1-2-3 preceding):Applicants for grants and fellowships need to register with CORDIS. CORDIS (Community Research and Development Information Service) is the EC’s service to provide details about its research programs, and to announce calls for proposals.
Proposals are submitted online, and CORDIS explains the procedure.
All research programs work through calls for proposals. Each call includes guidelines, eligibility criteria, deadlines, and supporting information.
Depending on the specific program and call for proposals, eligibility for funding is open to universities; research centers and institutes; international organizations; private enterprises; public agencies; and individuals. Country eligibility varies with country categories.
Geographical Distribution of Grant Activities in Developing Countries
Using the geographical classification of the Terra Viva Grants Directory, the following developing countries are EU candidate countries, associated countries, and third countries that are automatically eligible for funding in DG Research and Innovation.
Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands: Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Kiribati, Laos, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam
East Asia: China, Mongolia, North Korea
South Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Eurasia and Central Asia: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
Eastern Europe and Russia: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine
Middle East and North Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian Territories, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen
Sub-Saharan Africa: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Dem Rep of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Latin America and Caribbean: Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela
The EU has bilateral agreements in science and technology with several non-EU countries. Among them are the following developing and emerging countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Egypt, India, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Russia, South Africa, Tunisia, and Ukraine.
CORDIS maintains a database of national contacts in the EU and in third countries.
DG Research publishes its strategy for international cooperation to accompany Horizon 2020.
February 2021