Egypt Joins Horizon Europe: New Era for EU–Egypt Research and Innovation Cooperation
October 27Egypt has officially become the second African country to associate with Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme. The agreement, signed at the EU-Egypt summit in Brussels on 22 October, gives Egyptian researchers and innovators full access to the programme, on equal footing with EU member states.
This milestone opens the door to stronger cooperation in key areas like water management, sustainable agriculture, and food security, which are central to many Horizon Europe calls and Mediterranean partnerships.
The move has not been without controversy. Critics have raised concerns about Egypt’s record on academic freedom and human rights, with the country ranking among the lowest globally in terms of academic freedom. Nonetheless, EU and Egyptian leaders have emphasized a shared commitment to fundamental values in their joint statement.
Beyond Horizon Europe, the agreement also extends Egypt’s involvement in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA), aimed at improving farming systems, water use, and food value chains across the region.
For consultancies like AMIRES, this development brings new opportunities to support cross-border project development, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building in a region that’s gaining strategic importance in EU R&I policy. It also broadens the landscape for forming consortia with Egyptian institutions in upcoming Horizon Europe calls.