Cairo – Ashraf AboArafe reports
May 21 .. In a significant step towards deepening international scientific cooperation, **Egypt hosted the launch of the Horizon Europe Work Programme for 2025** today in Cairo. The event was organized by the **Delegation of the European Union to Egypt**, in collaboration with the **Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research** and the **Academy of Scientific Research and Technology**.
**Over 150 Egyptian academics, researchers, and innovators** attended the ceremony, alongside officials from the Ministries of Higher Education and Foreign Affairs. The event aimed to **raise awareness of the new collaboration framework and funding opportunities under Horizon Europe**, the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme.
*A Historic Agreement in the Making!
On **April 10, 2025**, **Egypt and the European Union initialled the agreement** on Egypt’s participation in Horizon Europe. While the final signature is expected by **November 2025**, **transitional arrangements are already in place**, enabling **Egyptian entities to participate in funding calls** as eligible institutions starting this year.
*EU-Egypt Scientific Ties at a 20-Year Milestone!
EU Ambassador **Angelina Eichhorst** remarked, *“2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the EU-Egypt Scientific and Technological Cooperation Agreement, and Egypt’s participation in Horizon Europe signals the beginning of a new, long-term phase of deep collaboration.”*
She emphasized that this is **not only about accessing funding**, but also about **co-shaping research agendas**, engaging in **joint international funding programmes**, and **integrating Egyptian expertise and talent into the European research landscape**. *“It also means real opportunities for Egyptian youth, researchers, and entrepreneurs to participate, innovate, and lead,”* she added.
*The Closest International Research Partnership!
Participation in **Horizon Europe represents the most advanced form of international cooperation in research and innovation** available to non-EU countries. It offers **access to world-class research facilities**, fosters **active collaboration between academia, business, and civil society**, and connects researchers across borders.
With a total budget of **€95.5 billion for the period 2021–2027**, Horizon Europe is **the largest research and innovation programme in EU history**. Egypt’s integration into the programme is expected to **unlock unprecedented opportunities for collaboration**, **capacity building**, and **scientific leadership on global challenges**.
