Policy background
The European Union cooperates with Morocco in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and its southern dimension, the Renewed partnership with Southern Neighbourhood– A new Agenda for the Mediterranean.
A Joint Declaration was adopted in June 2019 by the EU and Morocco outlining 4 structural areas for further collaboration: convergence of values; economic convergence and social cohesion; shared knowledge; political consultation and enhanced cooperation on security, at bilateral, regional, and international level.
The EU - Morocco Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement entered into force in 2000 and created a Free Trade Area between the EU and Morocco. It also includes an article on Scientific, Technical and Technological cooperation.
Science and Technology Agreements and Arrangements
A science and technology cooperation agreement between the European Union and Morocco was signed in 2003 within the political framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Barcelona process. The agreement promotes the opening of European research programmes to Moroccan participation.
Cooperation in research and innovation under the agreement takes place within the political frameworks of the EU’s new Agenda for the Mediterranean the Global Approach to Research and Innovation adopted in May 2021 that sets out the EU’s vision for future international research and innovation cooperation and prioritises the Mediterranean Region.
At a regional level, Morocco is a member of the Union for the Mediterranean Regional Platform in Research and Innovation which brings together all EU both south and east Mediterranean countries to define strategic orientations for Euro-Med science and technology collaboration.
In 2018, Morocco became a Participating State in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA)EN••• supporting sustainable water and food systems in the Mediterranean.
Negotiations for the association of the Kingdom of Morocco to Horizon Europe started in October 2021. Association would represent a new milestone in the history of research and innovation cooperation between Morocco and the European Union. Updates on the association of third countries to Horizon Europe
Areas of cooperation
The 10th Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee between the EU and Morocco in January 2021 explored Priority areas for cooperation including:
- clean hydrogen mission under Mission Innovation
- marine research and innovation through the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance
- Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA)
- health, in particular COVID-related research
The Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission works closely with Morocco’s Ministry for Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Professional Training on the:
- Implementing Arrangement for the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) signed November 2019 and the
- Administrative Arrangement for enhancing marine research cooperation through the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance signed December 2020
The Union for the Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Research and Innovation, that took place on 27 June 2022, endorsed research and innovation roadmaps around 3 priorities: Health, Climate Change and Renewable Energy.
Cooperation and Funding opportunities
Horizon Europe is open to the world, which means that participants from all over the world can participate in most calls. The EU can fund the participation in Horizon Europe collaborative research actions of entities established in EU Member States, in countries Associated to Horizon Europe, and in low and middle income countries, including Morocco.
Almost all calls in the Horizon Europe 2023-2024 work programme are open to Moroccan participation. Cooperation with the Mediterranean region is further highlighted through a ‘Mediterranean Initiative’, which encourages cooperation with Mediterranean partners in certain topics of the work programme.
In addition, Moroccan entities are eligible for EU financial through the European Research Council and Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions.
European Research Council
The European Research Council offers grants to researchers in all research domains for frontier research. Moroccan researchers are welcome to apply and if selected are eligible for funding to establish a research group in Europe. Grants are available for researchers starting or consolidating their independent career and for advanced researchers.
Synergy grants are also available, where a group of 2-4 Principal Investigators (PIs) may include one PI outside the EU or countries associated to Horizon Europe, to tackle together an ambitious research problem, with all funded by the ERC.
Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions
Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions offer fellowships for post-doctoral researchers from Morocco (and other countries) to spend up to 2 years in a European group – or for European researchers to spend up to 2 years in a Moroccan lab. Also offers opportunities for Moroccan institutions to participate in Doctoral Training Networks and Staff Exchange consortia.
Projects and results
EU-funded research projects involving Morocco
For previous framework programmes, please contact the Research enquiry service.
Contact
National Contact Points
National Contact Points (NCPs) provide guidance, practical information and assistance on all aspects of participation in Horizon Europe.
Research enquiry service
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
RTD-F-DIR-ASSIST
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (DG Research and Innovation International Cooperation)