Policy background
A science and technology cooperation agreement was signed in 2003 within the political framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Barcelona process. The agreement promotes the opening of the European Research Area and European research programmes to Moroccan participation.
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.
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
Since then, the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission has worked 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.
Priority areas for cooperation explored at the 10th Joint Science & Technology Cooperation Committee between the EU and Morocco in January 2021 included
- 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
Negotiations for the association of the Kingdom of Morocco to Horizon Europe have started in October 2021. Association would represent a new milestone in the history of R&I cooperation between Morocco and the European Union. This cooperation is currently structured by the Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement signed in 2003. Morocco has been a valuable partner, particularly in scientific diplomacy initiatives such as PRIMA. Morocco has achieved a strong level of participation under previous Framework Programmes, with areas of excellence such as energy and environment.
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. In many cases, the EU will fund at least partly the participation of the international partners.
International cooperation in Horizon Europe
Agreements and arrangements
- EU-Morocco science and technology cooperation agreement
- Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) supporting sustainable water and food systems in the Mediterranean. Morocco became a Participating State in 2018
Administrative Arrangement on Marine Research and Innovation with the Kingdom of Morocco
Projects and results
Research project database
EU-funded research projects involving Morocco
For previous framework programmes, please contact the Research enquiry service.
Project success stories
Stories of particularly successful EU-funded research projects involving Morocco.
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
DG Research and Innovation unit F.2: International cooperation