Korea science ministry forum targets bigger role in EU research program

The science ministry said Wednesday it held a forum in Seoul on Korean participation in Horizon Europe, the European Union's research funding program, aiming to move the country beyond joining projects toward leading joint research with top European institutions.

Horizon Europe, which runs from 2021 through 2027, is the largest multilateral research and innovation program of its kind. Korea joined as an associate member in 2025, the first Asian country to do so, giving its researchers the same terms as European institutions in fields including advanced biotechnology and health care, digital and industry, and climate and energy. About 35 Korean projects have so far been confirmed for participation after selection evaluations in the program's calls for proposals.

At the forum, the ministry and the National Research Foundation of Korea, together with national contact points for each research field and domestic researchers, presented the current state of Korea's participation and the government's support system, and researchers already selected for Horizon Europe projects shared their experience in international joint research. Their work includes developing generative artificial intelligence technology linking cloud, edge and high-performance computing, and research on building health care systems that respond to climate change.

The second session offered field-specific briefings on the 2027 calls, with national contact points for advanced biotechnology and health care, digital and industry, climate and energy, and food and bioeconomy explaining research topics, eligibility conditions and points to consider when preparing proposals.

The ministry plans to strengthen support through the research foundation and the contact points so that Korean researchers can identify leading European institutions, join international consortia and plan joint research.

"Horizon Europe is an important opportunity for our researchers to produce world-class research results by drawing on Europe's excellent research capabilities and networks," said Hwang Seong-hoon, the ministry's international cooperation director. "Going forward, we will strengthen support so that, beyond simply expanding participation, we can produce substantive cooperation results with excellent European research institutions in strategic technology fields where Korea has strengths."