Policy background
On 9 July 2023, New Zealand became Associated to Pillar 2 of Horizon Europe. This means that New Zealand pays into the Horizon Europe budget, and NZ researchers can participate in project consortia under similar conditions as EU Member States.
The EU is the most significant regional science and innovation partner of New Zealand: more than half of New Zealand’s researchers have an active collaboration with a European partner.
New Zealand also has strong bilateral research links with several EU countries.
On 6 December 2021, New Zealand has expressed its formal interest to associate to Horizon Europe. The exploratory phase was concluded in the spring 2022, opening the way to formal association negotiations to the Framework Programme. Association is the closest form of international cooperation with the EU in the area of R&I, and Horizon Europe opens it for the first time to countries with a strong STI capacity located beyond Europe’s geographical vicinity. Association will represent a new milestone in the Research and Innovation cooperation with New Zealand. Under Horizon 2020, the previous Framework Programme, cooperation with New Zealand was particularly active in areas such as food, agriculture and biotechnology, as well as in ICT and environment.
The EU-NZ science and innovation relationship is supported by the 2009 Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement, which has been instrumental in creating stronger links between the two partners.
The roadmap sets out main actions to strengthen cooperation on both sides. Activities are regularly discussed in Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee (JSTCC) meetings. The next joint meeting is planned for 2021 in Brussels.
Funding opportunities
Horizon Europe is the biggest EU research and innovation programme ever with more than €90 billion of funding available over 7 years (2021 to 2027). It is open to the world, which means that participants from all over the world can participate in most calls.
Projects and results
Research project database
EU-funded research projects involving New Zealand
For previous framework programmes, please contact the Research enquiry service.
Examples of research projects with New Zealand
- FRIENZ (2012-2016) was a joint initiative between the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the Commission. The project facilitated new and deeper strategic research, science and innovation partnerships between Europe and New Zealand
- PACE-NET PLUS (2013-2016) project supported the EU-Pacific policy dialogue in science technology and innovation (STI). It reinforced EU-Pacific STI cooperation on
- health demographic change and wellbeing
- food security sustainable agriculture marine and maritime research and the bioeconomy
- climate action resource use and efficiency and raw materials
More stories of particularly successful EU-funded research projects involving New Zealand.
Contact
National Contact Points
The National Contact Points (NCPs) provide guidance, practical information and assistance on all aspects of participation in Horizon Europe.
Research enquiry service
You can contact the research enquiry service to find out more about research in Europe, the EU's research and innovation funding programmes as well as calls for proposals and project funding.
European Commission
Dr Mirele PLENISHTI
Policy Officer
DG Research and Innovation, Unit 04 International Cooperation - Asia, Pacific, Africa and the Middle East
