The European Union has invested significantly in research and innovation to tackle global challenges, drive technological progress, and address the evolving needs of society.
Each EU research programme has delivered new knowledge and groundbreaking solutions to issues that matter to Europeans and global citizens alike.
Millions of people from around the globe will visit Expo Osaka from 13 April to 13 October to discover how nations and regions worldwide are addressing the global issues of our time, including sustainability, connectivity, inclusivity and security. With the theme Nurturing Tomorrow, the EU will contribute to the success of the Expo 2025 Osaka with a pavilion inspired by the New European Bauhaus principles and an array of interesting activities.
The Expo 2025 Osaka offers a unique platform to highlight the EU’s commitment to research and innovation, highlighting its benefits for people and planet in Europe and Japan.
The Directorate-General for Research and Innovation's (RTD) contribution includes several EU-funded projects at the permanent exhibition and events and Horizon Europe missions during specific thematic weeks to showcase groundbreaking scientific achievements, innovative solutions, and cutting-edge technologies. Some of the projects will also be highlighted in the EU pavilion’s permanent exhibition through avatars.
Through these projects and events, RTD is reaffirming the EU’s vision for a connected, resilient, and sustainable future—powered by innovation and strengthened by global collaboration, especially with Japan.
- research | innovation | international cooperation
- Sunday 13 April 2025, 09:00 - Sunday 11 May 2025, 22:00 (JST)
- Osaka, Japan
- External event
Programme
- 25 Apr 2025, 09:00 - 6 May 2025, 22:00 (JST)Co-creating Cultures for the Future
The EU-funded ODEUROPA will host a nose-on lecture exploring the cultural history of smell and the power of olfactory storytelling for heritage and tourism, featuring the online Smell Explorer.
GreenArt is hosting a walking workshop to trace the journey of green materials from scientific development to real-world applications.
- 20 Jun 2025, 09:00 - 1 Jul 2025, 22:00 (JST)Health and well-being week
Mission Cancer’s session aims to raise awareness and spark Japan’s interest in the Cancer Mission’s work, laying the groundwork for future collaboration.
Nature-In explores the connection between post-war Danish architecture and traditional Japanese buildings, where interiors are deeply linked to nature. Supported by MSCA, a research fellow examines ways to better integrate nature in interior spaces and develops a catalogue of sustainable, nature-inclusive design solutions.
- 17 Jul 2025, 09:00 - 28 Jul 2025, 22:00 (JST)Learning and Playing Week
EUCYS four winners of the EU Contest for Young Scientists will have the opportunity to visit EXPO 2025, open this thematic week, and take part in a unique programme designed to strengthen international ties, foster connections between European and Japanese educational institutions, and promote future collaborations in research and innovation.
CURSOR developed the ground robot SMURF (Soft Miniaturised Underground Robotic Finder) to conduct underground searches and locate victims trapped in collapsed structures. Visitors will have the chance to navigate SMURF and monitor real-time data received from the robot.
- 1 Aug 2025, 09:00 - 12 Aug 2025, 22:00 (JST)Peace, Human Security and Dignity Week
QSI is training a world-class cohort of doctoral candidates in cybersecurity, working towards a “Quantum-Safe Internet” - a communication infrastructure that is secure against both classical attacks and quantum technology enabled attacks.
Practical information
- When
- Sunday 13 April 2025, 09:00 - Sunday 11 May 2025, 22:00 (JST)
- Where
- EU PavilonYumeshima, Osaka, Osaka, Japan
- Languages
- English, Japanese
- Website
- Osaka Expo 2025
Description
Research and innovation projects at the EU Pavilion
ODEUROPA is the first European research project dedicated to exploring smell heritage and history. Using AI, it captures historical languages and stories of scent, leading to the creation of an online Smell Explorer, where users can browse over four centuries of olfactory history.
EDITO -Model Lab Project designs next-generation ocean models as part of the European Digital Twin Ocean initiative, helping stakeholders develop sustainable ocean management scenarios.
URBAN GreenUp showcases green solutions that reshape cities, enhancing sustainability, livability, and resilience to climate change.
Carbfix minimises atmospheric CO₂ by turning it into stone underground, offering a natural and permanent solution for carbon storage to mitigate climate change.
PlasticPiratesEU a citizen science initiative where schools and young citizens collect and categorise plastic waste in rivers and coastal areas, providing valuable data to identify sources, types, and pathways of plastic pollution in European rivers and waterways. The project supports European research efforts in the fight against this type of pollution.
Mimic studies the impact of pressures created by these media narratives on teenagers' personal well-being and their perspectives on wider social issues.
VEO Europe delivers high-quality, actionable insights for early warning, risk assessment, and monitoring of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) within the One Health framework.
More information
European Union at World Expo 2025 Osaka!
