EU-India International Collaboration

EU-India International Collaboration is a Horizon Europe funding initiative that supports joint research and innovation partnerships between EU Member States and India. Awarded approximately €1,000,000 per project, the program funds cooperative actions across strategic areas including sustainable development, digitalization, advanced connectivity including 6G, and innovation ecosystems.

The collaboration is rooted in the EU-India Science and Technology Agreement and the Joint EU-India Comprehensive Strategic Agenda Towards 2030. Eligible applicants include legal entities established in EU Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries, OECD and Mercosur countries, and India. The application deadline is April 29, 2026.

Projects are submitted through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal under the Horizon Europe program.

International cooperation with India in research and innovation Policy background, bilateral science and technology agreements, funding, projects and contact India is a key strategic partner for Europe in research and innovation.

Cooperation on research and innovation is a cross-cutting and integral part of the Joint EU-India Comprehensive Strategic Agenda Towards 2030, adopted on 27 January 2026 at the 16 th EU-India Summit, and building on the EU’s Joint Communication on the 2025 ‘ New Strategic EU-India Agenda ’.

The Agenda will guide the cooperation on prosperity and sustainability, technology and innovation, security and defence, connectivity, global issues, and people-to-people cooperation. Science and Technology Agreements and Arrangements The EU-India cooperation on research and innovation is governed by the Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation signed in 2001 , and regularly renewed by both sides.

Based on a positive evaluation and the strategic importance of the partnership, the STI Agreement has been renewed until 2030. Oversight of the agreement is managed by a Joint Steering Committee co-chaired by the Director General of DG Research and Innovation, European Commission, and the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

During the 16 th EU-India Summit, Presidents Ursula von de Leyen and António Costa and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launching of exploratory talks on the association of India to Horizon Europe , the EU's flagship research and innovation programme. The first round of exploratory talks was officially held in New Delhi on 6 February 2026. Association is the closest form of international cooperation with the EU in R&I.

If India becomes associated, Indian researchers and institutions would be able to receive funding directly from Horizon Europe and lead projects, with India making a financial contribution to the programme. India would then join the growing network of countries advancing science, innovation, and solutions to global challenges.

The EU-India Connectivity Partnership adopted on 8 May 2021, encourages both India and the EU to increase the two-way mobility of students and researchers under the People-to-People building block of the Connectivity Strategy with India.

The Commission has also concluded an Implementing Arrangement with the Indian Council on Social Sciences Research (ICSSR) facilitating short-term mobility to be hosted by European Research Council grantees.

On Euratom, two agreements are in place: European Atomic Energy Community and the Government of India Agreement in the field of fusion energy research signed in 2010 European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the Government of India Agreement for research and development cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy - signed in July 2020. India is also a member of the ITER project .

The EU–India Trade and Technology Council (TTC) In 2023, India and the EU launched the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) to enhance strategic dialogue and coordination in these key areas of the overall relationship.

The TTC consists of three Working Groups: Strategic technologies and connectivity Green & clean energy technologies, and Trade, investments and value chains The Green and Clean Technologies Working Group focuses especially on research and innovation cooperation, standards and investments, and it aims to facilitate trade in these technologies.

DG Research and Innovation (R&I), European Commission, co-chairs Working Group 2 together with the Principal Scientific Advisor Office to the Government of India. Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Ministerial meetings have taken place in May 2023 and February 2025 to provide political guidance, agree on key joint actions and review progress. The third TTC Ministerial is expected to take place in Brussels in 2026.

Work under the TTC has enabled advancements in: Collaborative research to support EU-India science and technology cooperation in marine plastic litter, waste-to-renewable hydrogen, and battery recycling for electric vehicles .

These priority topics are being supported with a total joint investment of approximately €60 million, funded by the Horizon Europe programme alongside matching contributions from India, through three calls for proposals to tackle challenges in three key areas: Marine plastic litter to develop technologies for detection, measurement and analysis of aquatic litter and the mitigation of the cumulative impact of pollution on the marine environment.

Two projects under the call for proposals launched in 2025 have already been selected and will start work in 2026. Waste-to-green/renewable hydrogen to develop more efficient technologies for hydrogen production from biogenic waste. Two projects under the call for proposals launched in 2025 have already been selected and will start work in 2026.

Battery recycling for electric vehicles (EVs) to focus on circularity and innovative, cost-effective battery designs. A project will be selected under the call for proposals to be launched in May 2026, which should start work in 2027.

Dialogue on harmonising EV charging infrastructure between the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission and the Automobile Research Association of India: Through technical exchanges including the participation of the private sector in workshops in India and Europe in February 2025 and March 2026, the development of compatible standards should enhance trade and mutual market access in this key area for the transition to green mobility.

Linking Indian and EU startups with potential partners: A matchmaking in June 2024 and respective sponsored visits to India and the EU by the selected startups working on EV battery recycling has led to first results in terms of plans for research and development, joint plant building or investments by several of the startups.

Co-creating and displaying practical solutions to tackle the challenges linked to plastic pollution: An "Ideathon" on marine plastic pollution brought together Indian and European partners which are now actively working to design and operationalise their proposed solutions.

Under the TTC, the EU and India may also strengthen collaboration on emerging and critical technologies, innovation, and research, including through the establishment of an EU–India Startup Partnership and the setting up of EU–India Innovation Hubs, as announced at the 16 th EU-India Summit.

Areas of cooperation under Horizon Europe The EU-India Summit also agreed to deepen cooperation under the EU’s research and innovation programme Horizon Europe, including in the fields of digital, energy, water, agrifood, health, semiconductors, biotech and advanced materials, particularly through mechanisms such as co-funding and coordinated calls.

Cooperation takes place through Horizon Europe (2021-2027) based on calls of proposals open to the participation of non-EU countries. Most topics in Horizon Europe are open for cooperation with India and certain topics target or encourage the participation of Indian entities. However, Indian participants are not automatically eligible for funding* by Horizon Europe and have to bring their own funding to the projects.

For details about the co-funding provided by the Government of India, see the Guide on the Complementary Funding mechanism Indian researchers may also participate in Horizon Europe with funding provided by other sources. *In exceptional cases, the Commission or the relevant funding body may consider that the participation of a legal entity is essential for implementing the action ( Article 23.

2(b) of the Horizon Europe Regulation ) European Research Council The European Research Council offers grants to researchers in all research domains for frontier research. Indian 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 an Indian researcher may collaborate with at least 2 European researchers, with all funded by the ERC. Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions offer fellowships for post-doctoral researchers from India (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 lab in India.

It also offers opportunities for Indian institutions to participate in Doctoral Training Networks and Staff Exchange consortia (Indian institutions are self-funded in DTNs and SE). EU-funded research projects involving India The National Contact Points (NCPs) provide guidance, practical information and assistance on all aspects of participation in Horizon Europe.

You can 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.

RTD-04-ASSIST ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (DG Research and Innovation unit 04: International cooperation) Euraxess India provides access to a complete range of information and support services for researchers in India wishing to pursue a research career in Europe or looking for collaboration opportunities.

The 16th EU–India Summit took place in New Delhi on 27 January 2026, marking a significant step forward in the EU–India Strategic Partnership. The leaders endorsed the Joint Strategic Agenda 2030, which deepens, broadens, and better coordinates cooperation between the EU and India.

Evaluation of the EU-India Science & Technology Agreement This report evaluates the EU-India Science and Technology (S&T) Agreement, set to be renewed for 2025–2030. EU-India S&T cooperation has evolved through Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, with Indian participation in 88 projects.

The European Union and India are intensifying their ties as part of a new strategic agenda to enhance prosperity, security and tackle major global challenges together. This builds on the Strategic Partnership established in 2004 and is underpinned by shared interests and complementary strengths.

EU and India launch talks on Horizon Europe association Research and innovation news alert: The launch of these talks follows the 16th EU–India Summit in New Delhi, where leaders from both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening strategic cooperation across trade, security, science, innovation and mobility.

16th EU-India Summit: advancing our Strategic Partnership across trade and defence The successful conclusion of an EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the launch of an EU-India Security and Defence Partnership underline the potential and determination of both partners to shape one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century.

All international cooperation news Delegation of the EU to India The EU works closely with India and Bhutan to promote peace, create jobs, boost economic growth and enhance sustainable development across the country. India in Horizon 2020: key figures Facts and figures about India's participation in Horizon 2020 Researcher portal: EURAXESS EURAXESS India links researchers in India with Europe