The Ministry of Science and ICT on March 25 said the country next year will become the first from Asia to join Horizon Europe, the world's largest multilateral research and innovation program led by the European Union, as an associate member. (iclickart) *[Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution of the above photo is strictly prohibited under copyright laws and regulations.]

By Kim Hyelin

Korea is the first Asian country to join Horizon Europe, the world's largest multilateral research and innovation program led by the European Union.

Domestic researchers can thus use the project's EU-provided research funds of EUR 95.5 billion (KRW 138 trillion).

The Ministry of Science and ICT on March 25 said the nation concluded negotiations to enter Horizon Europe as an associate member.

Launched in 2021, Horizon Europe is a massive research and development (R&D) project spanning seven years with financial support of EUR 99.5 billion. Since 1984, the EU has run a system for the selection, evaluation, management and payment of single R&D projects to avoid overlapping R&D investments among member states and innovate the relevant environment.

Previous EU programs only allowed membership for EU member states and their neighbors. For Horizon Europe, however, the EU suggested associate membership for six non-European countries -- Korea, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Japan and Singapore -- with outstanding science and technology capabilities.

Should its entry go smoothly, Korea from June next year will be the third associate member of the six non-European countries, with the other two being New Zealand and Canada, as well as the first from Asia.

Korea's membership in Horizon Europe is limited to common research fields for solving global problems and strengthening industrial competitiveness. With their country also paying a financial contribution to the group, Korean researchers can directly use the group's research funds.

The ministry said this membership will expand the country's multilateral network for cooperation in science and technology research, boost research collaboration with the EU, acquire the EU's advanced R&D system and further open the national innovation system.

kimhyelin211@korea.kr