Park Sang-ook, senior presidential secretary for science and technology, speaks during a briefing at the presidential office in Seoul, March 5, when he explained that negotiations are underway for Korea to join the Horizon Europe research funding program, initiated by the European Union, as an associate member. On Monday, the science ministry said the negotiations had been concluded, and Korea will begin the process of becoming an associate member next year. Yonhap

Korea concluded the negotiations with the European Union to become an associate member of Horizon Europe, the world's largest multilateral research and innovation funding program, providing a valuable chance for researchers here to expand their network and pursue joint research starting as early as next year, according to the Ministry of Science and ICT, Monday.

The ministry said Minister Lee Jong-ho concluded negotiations for Korea's accession as an associate member of Horizon Europe and agreed to initiate the procedure to join the program next year during his meeting with Iliana Ivanova, commissioner for innovation, research, culture, education and youth of the European Commission, the EU's executive body.

Horizon Europe is the world's biggest multilateral research and innovation funding program, supporting a total of 95.5 billion euros ($103.3 billion) over seven years from 2021 to 2027.

Unlike previous research funding programs that were open only to EU member states and neighboring countries, the EU proposed associate membership in the program to six non-European nations with excellent scientific and technological capabilities — Korea, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Japan and Singapore, the ministry said.

If the joining process proceeds without any issues, Korea will join as the third country after New Zealand, which joined in 2023, and Canada, which joined this year, and will become the first Horizon Europe associate member in Asia.

With the associate membership, Korea is expected to contribute financially, granting its researchers direct access to Horizon Europe research funds.

"Participating as an associated country in Horizon Europe, the world's largest multilateral research and innovation program, will open up greater opportunities for both Korea and the EU to enhance research competitiveness through joint research," the science minister said.

"We are committed to completing the process leading up to the signing of the association agreement by the end of this year, so that Korean researchers can participate in Horizon Europe with associated country status starting from 2025."

The ministry expressed anticipation for the expansion of Korean researchers' networks, strengthening of research cooperation, acquisition of advanced European research systems and an expanded level of openness in Korea's science and technology sectors through Korea's participation in this program.

"Under Korea's current status as a non-associated third country, Korean researchers cannot participate directly in Horizon Europe calls, instead only as ‘partners' of researchers from other member states or associated countries, and must bring their own funding for their research as Horizon Europe's budget is not allocated to them. When Korea becomes an associate of Horizon Europe, Korean researchers will be able to apply for funding to carry out Horizon Europe projects as a ‘coordinator' or ‘participant,'" the ministry said.