EU funding opportunities for US researchers
The US has had the highest level of participation in EU research and innovation programmes of all non-EU and non-associated countries for many years.
European Research Council
The European Research Council offers grants to researchers in all research domains for frontier research. US 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.
The European Commission also has an Implementing Arrangement with the National Science Foundation to enable NSF funded researchers to spend some time in an European Research Council funded group in Europe.
Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions
Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions offer fellowships for post-doctoral researchers from US (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 US lab. Also offers opportunities for US institutions to participate in Doctoral Networks and Research and Innovation Staff Exchange consortia (US institutions are self-funded in Doctoral Networks and Staff Exchange).
Horizon Europe - Collaborative Research Projects
In the great majority of calls under Horizon Europe, for collaborative research projects - tackling key global challenges such as climate change, pollution, the loss of biodiversity, the digital transition, health threats, ageing population, and building a more resilient, competitive, democratic and inclusive Europe - US researchers and innovators are welcome to team up as Associated Partners by bringing their own funding to the project. US entities may be entitled to funding when this possibility is mentioned in the relevant calls for proposals or in cases where the US partner is essential to the project. This is typically the case in calls for collaborative research projects under “Global challenges cluster 1 – Health”.
EURAXESS
EURAXESS North America provides access to a complete range of information and support services for researchers in the US and Canada wishing to pursue a research career in Europe or looking for collaboration opportunities through Horizon Europe.
EURAXESS Europe thousands of job vacancies, funding opportunities, and hosting positions available across Europe and beyond. In addition to career opportunities, EURAXESS provides personalised support services, from visa and relocation assistance to family support, helping you settle and thrive in your new environment. Start browsing today and take the next step in your professional journey!
Projects and results
Research project database
EU-funded research projects involving the United States
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
National Contact Points
The National Contact Points (NCPs) provide guidance, practical information and assistance on all aspects of participation in Horizon Europe. NCURA (the National Council od University Research Administrators) is the NCP for Horizon Europe in the USA. Contact: chen@ncura.edu
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.
EU Delegation to the United States
European Commission
DG Research and Innovation unit 03: International cooperation
Policy background
The EU-US partnership is arguably the world's most important bilateral relationship, indispensable for security and prosperity in the transatlantic region and a leading force of the existing world order anchored in democracy, the rule of law, and multilateralism. The EU and the US account for nearly 50% of global research and innovation funding.
The EU and the US share common research values such as openness, transparency, fairness, inclusiveness, academic freedom and ethics, and are natural partners in science, technology and innovation.
Working with the US science policy and funding agencies at federal level contributes to EU capacity to succeed on the green and digital transitions and to strengthen resilience to global health threats and other global challenges.
Scientific and technological agreement
The Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the United States of America since 1998 provides the legal and administrative framework for cooperation in Science and Technology between the EU and the US. The agreement was last extended five years in September 2023, see Council Decision. The agreement allows encouraging, developing, and facilitating cooperative activities in areas of common interest based on mutual benefit, reciprocity, and appropriate protection of intellectual property rights.
The priority areas for cooperation are defined by the EU-US Joint Consultative Group (JCG) and are outlined in the Joint Statement signed by the Commission and the US Department of State in January 2025.
Multilateral cooperation initiatives
Opportunities for EU-US cooperation are also offered by multilateral fora such as
- Mission Innovation to make clean energy affordable, attractive and accessible for all
- All Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA) to advance the shared vision of an Atlantic Ocean that is healthy, resilient, clean, safe, transparent, predictable, productive, understood and treasured so as to promote the well-being, prosperity and security of present and future generations
- International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC) to enable people living with a rare disease to receive an accurate diagnosis, care, and available therapy within one year of coming to medical attention
- Global Alliance on Chronic Disease (GACD) to coordinate and supports research activities that address the prevention and treatment of NCDs or chronic non-communicable diseases, on a global scale
- Human Frontier Science Program Organisation (HFSPO), promoting international collaboration in basic research focused on the elucidation of the sophisticated and complex mechanisms of living organisms.
- Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Diseases Preparedness (GloPID-R) bringing together funders investing in research related to new or re-emerging infectious diseases.
Other cooperation arrangements
Bilateral cooperation agreement on fusion energy research: signed in 2001 between the US and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). Both the US and Euratom are members of the ITER project.
Fission energy research: the US and Euratom signed two Technical Exchange and Cooperation Arrangements, one on nuclear-related technology research and one on nuclear safety research. Both Euratom and the US are members of the Generation IV International Forum.
The European Union’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) has also a close collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) focusing on climate change risks, disaster modelling, space weather impacts and fisheries. The JRC-NOAA Implementing Arrangement has been extended in 2022 for another 5 years.
A new Implementing Arrangement was also signed in 2021 with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The JRC also cooperates with the US in the field of nuclear safety, nuclear safeguards, non-proliferation and security.