Policy background
On 30 July 2026, Japan became associated to Pillar 2 of Horizon Europe. This means that Japan pays into the Horizon Europe budget, and Japanese researchers can, under similar conditions as EU Member States, lead and coordinate their own research and innovation projects under the programme, apply and receive funding, and seek closer collaboration with partners in the EU and other associated countries
The Association Agreement represents an important milestone in Research and Innovation cooperation with Japan. It is the closest form of international cooperation with the EU in the area of R&I.
Japan is a long-standing strategic partner for Europe and bilateral research and innovation. An agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation entered into force in 2011. Its key goals are to promote research excellence and increase growth and industrial competitiveness.
A Letter of Intent was signed by both sides in May 2020 to strengthen cooperation in science, technology and innovation, and to enhance the synergies between the next EU research and innovation programme Horizon Europe, and Moonshot, Japan’s research and development programme.
The agreement specifically targets Pillar II of Horizon Europe, which tackles societal challenges through multinational collaborative projects, such as the digital transition, food security, and climate-neutral energy.
The EU-Japan Enhanced Dialogue on Advanced Materials was launched on 2 April 2024. It builds on the success of EU-Japan collaboration in R&I in material sciences, including on the development of new materials for the substitution of critical metals or advanced materials for power electronics. It aims to create a platform for sharing information on policy developments and exploring the opportunities to pursue collaborative research in the areas of mutual interest.
Funding opportunities
Horizon Europe
Association to Pillar II of Horizon Europe allows Japanese researchers and organisations to participate on almost the same conditions as entities in EU Member States. This includes direct funding from the Horizon Europe programme. Japanese entities can now participate in and lead research consortia with some of the world's best research organisations to tackle global challenges together.
For Pillar I and Pillar III of Horizon Europe, the opportunities for Japanese participation remain unchanged. Under Pillar I, Japanese researchers can apply to come to work in a European group and Japanese institutions can host European Post-Doctoral fellows through the Marie Sklodowska Curie Post-Doctoral Fellowships scheme. Japanese researchers can apply for European Research Council grants to establish a research group in Europe. Under Pillar III: Japanese start-ups or SMEs that relocate to Europe are eligible to apply for the European Innovation Council Accelerator programme.
Japan in Horizon Europe: key figures
European Research Council
The European Research Council offers grants to researchers in all research domains for frontier research. Researchers from Japan 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 Japan (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 research group in Japan. Also offers opportunities for Japanese institutions to participate in Doctoral Networks and Staff Exchange consortia (Japanese institutions are self-funded in Doctoral Networks and Staff Exchange).
Projects and results
Research project database
EU-funded research projects involving Japan
For previous framework programmes, please contact the Research enquiry service.
Examples of research projects with Japan
- e-VITA project (2021-2024) provides smart support for ageing well at home, developing a sociotechnical coaching system for older adults. Based on the users’ needs and abilities, the virtual coach promotes physical activity, cognitive training, and social interaction with other persons in the community around them.
- CD-LINKS (2015-2019) has helped to join the dots between climate change mitigation and sustainable development policies by creating a network of research experts in a wide range of relevant topics across the globe.
More stories of particularly successful EU-funded research projects involving Japan.
Contact
National Contact Points
The National Contact Points (NCPs) provide guidance, practical information and assistance on all aspects of participation in Horizon 2020.
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.
EURAXESS Japan
Euraxess Japan provides access to a complete range of information and support services for researchers in Japan wishing to pursue a research career in Europe or looking for collaboration opportunities through Horizon Europe.
European Commission
RTD-04-ASSIST
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (DG Research and Innovation unit 04: International cooperation)
Documents
The EU-Japan Enhanced Dialogue on Advanced Materials aims to build on the success of EU-Japan collaboration in research and innovation in material sciences, by establishing a platform for the exchange of policy developments and identification of opportunities to pursue collaborative research in areas of mutual strategic interest.