Non-EU countries urge equal access to Horizon Europe and day-one inclusion in FP10

Four non-EU countries that are part of Horizon Europe have called on the Council of the EU to ensure their smooth association with FP10 The next Framework Programme for Research, currently referred to as FP10 from day one, to keep topic exclusions to a minimum and to guarantee equal treatment for associated countries in applications and collaborative projects.

Four university associations from the UK (the Russell Group), Canada (U15), Switzerland (swissuniversities) and New Zealand (Universities New Zealand) sent a letter on 13/05/2026 to Nicodemos Damianou, Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, who will chair the Council of Research Ministers on behalf of Cyprus on 29/05/2026.

"We hope the Council will work to ensure smooth and rapid association for trusted partners, so they can take part in FP10 from day one. Political discussions at an early stage would instil confidence and help maximise the benefits, to both the EU and its partners, of a stable, long-term research relationship," they wrote.

They also asked for:
• A collaborative Pillar II, dedicated to competitiveness, that remains firmly research-led and complements the European Competitiveness Fund;
• Ensuring that observers from associated countries retain a clear role, enabling them to continue contributing to the governance of Pillar II, as they do currently;
• Safeguarding the role of curiosity-driven fundamental research across all pillars, with a fully independent European Research Council (ERC European Research Council ) and fully bottom-up Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCAs);
• Keeping topic exclusions to a minimum and ensuring equal treatment for associated countries in applications and collaborative projects.

"Associated countries are eager to play a full part in Horizon, because they know it offers networks no one country can replicate alone. Their growing role in the programme - adding around a third of its budget again - is good for everyone. A wider-ranging Horizon Europe is a larger Horizon Europe, drawing on a stronger research base and delivering greater impact", they added.

The signatories are Libby Hackett, Chief Executive of the Russell Group; Robert Asselin, Chief Executive of U15 Canada; Luciana Vaccaro, President of swissuniversities; and Neil Quigley, Chair of Universities New Zealand.