India and EU finish talks for India to join Horizon Europe research programme

India and the European Union have finished negotiating India's association with Horizon Europe, the EU's flagship research and innovation programme, opening the way for Indian researchers and companies to compete for its funding.

The Ministry of Science and Technology said the association is a move into "a long-term institutional framework of research cooperation" and builds on existing projects under the India–EU Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation and the India–EU Trade and Technology Council.

What it means for Indian researchers

Once associated, Indian researchers, institutions and industry will be able to take part in funding calls through collaborative research projects. They will also get access to European consortia and research infrastructure.

The ministry said the association will deepen talent mobility and lead to co-development of critical technologies, standards and solutions at scale.

Areas covered

The release points to the thematic clusters of Pillar II of Horizon Europe: health; digital technologies, industry and space; climate, energy and mobility; and food and the bioeconomy. It says these align closely with India's research priorities and can build on its scientific strengths.

How the talks came about

Exploration of a possible association began after the India–EU Summit on 27 January 2026. Formal negotiations started after the Trade and Technology Council ministerial meeting in Brussels on 15 July 2026.

The release does not say when the association will take effect, what India will pay, or when the first funding calls will open. Those details are not in the announcement.

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Source: official release by the Ministry of Science & Technology, issued through the Press Information Bureau, Government of India (07 NOV 2026 11:26AM by PIB Delhi). Read the full official text: India-EU conclude negotiations to join Horizon Europe programme.