1st Horizon Europe Association Joint Committee meeting between Canada and the European Union

On 19 March 2025, Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada hosted the Horizon Europe (HE) Association Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) in Ottawa, Canada. This was the first JCM since Canada became associated to Pillar II of Horizon Europe in July 2024. The meeting was co-chaired by Marie-Hélène Légaré, Director General, Science and Research Sector, ISED, and Signe Ratso, Deputy Director General, Innovation, Prosperity and International Cooperation, Directorate General for Research & Innovation, European Commission. 

The discussions allowed the review of Canada’s progress to date in implementing the HE association agreement, and laying the groundwork for continued, robust research and innovation (R&I) collaboration. The agenda covered various aspects of the agreement's implementation, including: the reciprocity of R&I programs and activities; Canadian stakeholders’ experience participating in HE; opportunities for Canadian participation in European R&I governance bodies and research infrastructures; ongoing efforts to promote HE to Canadian researchers and innovators; and updates on the 2025 and 2026-27 work programmes as well as HE’s successor, Framework Programme 10—expected to launch in 2028.

The JCM highlighted the ongoing collaboration, as well as opportunities for closer joint efforts between Canada, the EU, and other associated partners under Pillar II. The meeting reflected strong mutual interest in further deepening R&I cooperation between Canada and the EU as trusted, reliable, and like-minded partners to advance science and address global challenges.

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International cooperation with Canada