Policy background
The EU's overall China policy is defined by the 2019 EU-China: A Strategic Outlook Communication. The Communication reflects the fundamental premises of the EU's engagement with China based on a realistic, assertive and multi-faceted approach aimed at promoting democracy, rule of law, human rights, and the respect for the UN Charter and international law, while pursuing reciprocal benefits.
Cooperation in Science and Technology
In accordance with the EU’s Global Approach to Research and Innovation, the EU has developed a nuanced and transactional approach towards engagement with China in research and innovation.
The EU and China continue to discuss a Joint Roadmap for the future of EU-China cooperation in science, technology, and innovation. The aim is to develop a mutually beneficial research and innovation environment based on reciprocity, level playing field and the respect of fundamental research and innovation values, through the discussion, agreement, and implementation of a set number of framework conditions for cooperation, as well as areas for cooperation.
China remains a partner with which the EU continues to engage to tackle global challenges. This is done through two main flagship initiatives, both of which are ongoing under Horizon Europe and their activities are co-funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China.
- Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) launched in 2021.
- Food Agriculture and Biosolutions (FAB), launched in 2013
At the same time due to the lack of progress on the negotiations of the innovation-related elements contained in the Joint Roadmap, China’s participation in innovation activities under Horizon Europe is restricted through the application of Article 22(6) of the Horizon Europe Regulation.
China is also a member of the ITER project and participates in the multilateral dialogue on principles and values for international cooperation in research and innovation, set out in the Commission Communication on the Global Approach.
Science and Technology Agreements and Arrangements
The EU-China scientific cooperation dates back to the signature of the Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement in 1998 (tacitly renewed in 2019). The implementation of the Agreement is overseen by a Joint Steering Committee. The 16th EU-China Joint Steering Committee Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation was held on 28 November 2024 and focused on the state of play and next steps on the negotiations linked to the Joint Roadmap for the future of EU-China cooperation in science, technology, and innovation. Both sides also evaluated the progress and future of the two research flagship initiatives.
In line with the ongoing discussions on the Joint Roadmap, the EU and China signed an Administrative Arrangement for the period 2021-2024 to set up a Co-funding Mechanism that will support collaborative research projects under the two agreed flagship initiatives on Food, Agriculture and Biosolutions (FAB) and on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB). Through the Co-funding Mechanism, Chinese entities participating in the projects under the flagship topics will be funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China.
Areas of cooperation
In line with the Global Approach and the ongoing discussions on the ‘Joint Roadmap for the future of EU-China cooperation in science, technology, and innovation’, cooperation between European and Chinese researchers and entities under Horizon Europe is encouraged mainly under the Food, Agriculture, and Biosolutions, and the Climate Change and Biodiversity flagships.
Cooperation and funding opportunities
Cooperation on research and innovation with China takes place through the EU’s Research and Innovation Framework Programme Horizon Europe (2021-2027) based on calls of proposals that are mostly open to the participation of third countries, unless specific limitations or conditions are explicitly expressed in the work programme and/or in the topic texts.
Cooperation with China is encouraged under the flagship initiatives on Food, Agriculture and Biosolutions (FAB) and on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB), while it is limited in innovation activities.
Chinese participants are not automatically eligible for EU’s funding under Horizon Europe; they have thus to participate as Associated Partners and bring their own funding to the projects. Through the Administrative Agreement in place, the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China has committed to fund the participation of Chinese entities under the flagship topics and in other research areas linked to the flagship initiatives.
For details about the co-funding provided by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, see the Guide on the Complementary Funding mechanism.
In addition, Chinese researchers can apply for European Research Council Grants and Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions (see below).
European Research Council
The European Research Council offers grants to researchers in all research domains for frontier research. Researchers from anywhere in the world can 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.
The European Commission and the National Natural Science Foundation of China have concluded an Implementing Arrangement to facilitate short term mobility to be hosted by European Research Council grantees across Europe.
Press Highlight: New initiative launched to encourage Chinese top researchers to join ERC teams in Europe
Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions
Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions offer fellowships for post-doctoral researchers from anywhere in the world to spend up to 2 years in a European group – or for European researchers to spend up to 2 years in a group abroad. Opportunities are also available for third country institutions to participate in Doctoral Networks and Staff Exchange consortia (Chinese institutions are self-funded in ITNs and SE).
Projects and results
EU-funded research projects involving China
For previous framework programmes, please contact the Research enquiry service
You can also visit the Horizon Dashboard, which is a one-stop shop for data and statistics on the EU Research and Innovation Programmes – from FP1 to Horizon Europe.
Contact
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-04-ASSIST
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (DG Research and Innovation unit 04: International cooperation)
Delegation-China-Scitecheeas [dot] europa [dot] eu (Research and innovation section at the EU Delegation to China)
EURAXESS China
Euraxess China provides access to a complete range of information and support services for researchers in China wishing to pursue a research career in Europe or looking for collaboration opportunities.