Georgia joins Horizon Europe research program

08/12/2021

13:46

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The European Commission and the Government of Georgia signed an agreement on December 7 granting Georgia the association status to Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation programme (2021-2027). Georgian researchers, innovators and research entities can now participate in the €95.5 billion programme, under the same conditions as entities from the EU Member States.

The Horizon Europe Association Agreement starts producing legal effect and becomes provisionally applicable as of today.

The association agreement was signed in Brussels by Commissioner Gabriel and Mikheil Chkhenkeli, the Minister for Science and Education of Georgia. The signature ceremony took place physically in the presence of Ms. Signe Ratso, the Horizon Europe Chief Negotiator and Deputy Director-General of the Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation and Mr. Vakhtang Makharoblishvili, Ambassador of Georgia to the Kingdom of Belgium and Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Head of Mission of Georgia to the EU.

The association supports the Global Approach to Research and Innovation and reconfirms Europe's commitment to a level of global openness needed to drive excellence, pool resources for faster scientific progress and develop vibrant innovation ecosystems in a set of common priorities, such as the twin green and digital transition.

Since 2016, Georgia has been fully associated with Horizon 2020, the EU's previous research and innovation program for 2014-2020.

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