New Zealand

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 Association Agreement represents an important milestone in Research and Innovation cooperation with New Zealand. It is the closest form of international cooperation with the EU in the area of R&I. 

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.

Funding and cooperation opportunities

Horizon Europe

Association to Pillar II of Horizon Europe allows New Zealand 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. New Zealand 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 New Zealand participation remain unchanged. For example, under Pillar I: New Zealand researchers can apply to come to work in a European group and New Zealand institutions can host European Post-Doctoral fellows through the Marie Sklodowska Curie Post-Doctoral Fellowships scheme. New Zealand researchers can apply for European Research Council grants to establish a research group in Europe. Under Pillar III: New Zealand start-ups or SMEs that relocate to Europe are eligible to apply for the European Innovation Council Accelerator programme.

European Research Council

The European Research Council offers grants to researchers in all research domains for frontier research.  New Zealand 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 New Zealand (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 New Zealand lab. Also offers opportunities for New Zealand institutions to participate in Doctoral Networks and Staff Exchange consortia (New Zealand institutions are self-funded in Doctoral Networks and Staff Exchange).

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

• ClieNFarms Climate Neutral Farms (2022-2025) supports the European Green Deal by co-developing and upscaling systemic locally relevant solutions to reach climate-neutral and climate-resilient sustainable farms.
• SMART PROTEIN (2020-2024) develops future-proofed protein supply chains with a positive impact on the bioeconomy, environment, biodiversity, food and nutrition security and consumer trust.
  • 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.

EURAXESS Australia-New Zealand

Euraxess Australia-New Zealand provides access to a complete range of information and support services for researchers in Australia and the New Zealand wishing to pursue a research career in Europe or looking for collaboration opportunities through Horizon Europe.

European Commission

RTD-04-ASSISTec [dot] europa [dot] eu (DG Research and Innovation unit 04: International cooperation)