The European Union and India have taken significant steps toward deepening their research and innovation partnership through exploratory talks on India's potential association with Horizon Europe, the EU's flagship research and innovation programme running from 2021 to 2027 with a budget exceeding €95 billion. This development, announced during the 16th EU-India Summit in New Delhi in January 2026, marks a pivotal moment for Indian higher education institutions seeking greater access to collaborative funding, international networks, and cutting-edge projects.

Association to Horizon Europe would represent the closest form of cooperation, enabling Indian universities, research centres, and researchers to participate on nearly equal terms with EU counterparts. They could receive direct funding from the programme, lead multinational consortia, and contribute to shaping research priorities in areas such as artificial intelligence, climate science, health, and advanced connectivity. Currently, Indian entities can join projects but must secure their own funding sources, which often complicates participation and limits leadership roles.

Background on Horizon Europe and Longstanding EU-India Ties

Horizon Europe succeeds the previous Horizon 2020 programme and focuses on three main pillars: excellent science, global challenges and European industrial competitiveness, and innovative Europe. It supports researcher mobility, infrastructure sharing, and mission-oriented initiatives addressing societal priorities like climate neutrality and cancer. The programme remains open to international participation, but association status provides enhanced benefits including eligibility for funding and influence over work programmes.

EU-India scientific cooperation has a solid foundation through the Science and Technology Agreement, which is being renewed for the period 2025-2030. Indian researchers have already engaged in dozens of projects under Horizon Europe and its predecessor, covering themes from marine plastic litter reduction to waste-to-green hydrogen conversion. Co-funding mechanisms from the Government of India have supported participation in specific calls, demonstrating mutual commitment.

Key Milestones in 2026: From Summit Announcement to Exploratory Talks

Leaders including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted research collaboration during the January 2026 summit. They endorsed the EU-India Strategic Agenda Towards 2030, which prioritises technology and innovation alongside trade, security, and connectivity.

The first round of formal exploratory talks on association took place in New Delhi on 6 February 2026. These discussions aim to address practical aspects such as India's financial contribution, participation rules, and alignment with national priorities under the National Education Policy 2020. NITI Aayog Vice Chairperson Suman Bery publicly stated in March 2026 that joining Horizon Europe is "on the table," signalling high-level support from India's policy establishment.

Priority Research Areas Driving University-Level Collaboration

Several thematic areas stand out for Indian higher education institutions. Advanced connectivity, including 6G research, features dedicated calls fostering EU-India stakeholder exchanges. Green transition projects, such as waste-to-renewable hydrogen and marine plastic litter management, have already involved coordinated funding.

High-performance computing represents another success story. The GANANA project, supported under Horizon Europe, connects European centres of excellence with Indian partners including the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), India Meteorological Department, Institute for Seismological Research, National Institute of Informatics, and AIRAWAT. These collaborations enhance computational capabilities for climate modelling, seismology, and data analytics at participating Indian institutions.

Additional opportunities exist in polar research, extreme climate events, and artificial intelligence ethics, with recent calls inviting proposals from Indian organisations partnered with European teams.

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Indian Universities and Research Institutions at the Forefront

Leading Indian higher education institutions have already demonstrated strong engagement. The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in Bombay, Delhi, and Guwahati, along with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, feature prominently in ongoing Horizon Europe projects. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) laboratories contribute expertise in marine technologies, energy, and materials science.

These institutions benefit from existing co-funding arrangements and international mobility schemes. Faculty members gain opportunities to co-author publications, supervise joint PhD students, and access European research infrastructures. Student exchanges through programmes like Erasmus Mundus further strengthen ties, with dozens of Indian scholars annually pursuing advanced studies in Europe.

Benefits for Faculty, Researchers, and Students in Indian Higher Education

Association would transform participation dynamics. Indian principal investigators could lead projects, securing substantial grants for their teams and institutions. This supports the National Education Policy's emphasis on multidisciplinary research, internationalisation, and innovation ecosystems within universities.

Faculty development would accelerate through joint supervision, sabbatical opportunities, and access to advanced training. Early-career researchers and postdoctoral fellows stand to gain from expanded mobility and funding streams. Universities could strengthen their global rankings by increasing high-impact publications and citations arising from EU collaborations.

Student outcomes would improve via enhanced curricula incorporating European best practices, dual-degree possibilities, and exposure to diverse research cultures. Institutions in tier-2 and tier-3 cities could also participate through consortia led by premier universities, broadening the benefits across India's higher education landscape.

Challenges and Considerations for Successful Association

While promising, association involves complexities. India would need to make a financial contribution proportional to its participation level, requiring careful budgetary planning. Alignment on intellectual property rights, data governance, and research ethics must be negotiated to satisfy both sides.

Administrative capacity at Indian universities will need strengthening to manage larger international grants. Concerns around research priorities and autonomy have surfaced in policy discussions, underscoring the importance of ensuring that association complements rather than overrides national strategies.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Institutional Readiness

Indian policymakers, including those at NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Education, view the talks positively as a means to boost India's global research standing. University leaders at IITs and IISc have welcomed the prospect of streamlined funding and leadership opportunities.

European stakeholders emphasise mutual benefits, noting India's growing research output and talent pool. EURAXESS India and similar networks continue to facilitate researcher mobility and information sharing, preparing the ground for deeper integration.

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Future Outlook: Transforming Indian Academia Through Global Partnerships

If association proceeds, the coming years could see a surge in joint publications, spin-off companies, and technology transfers between Indian universities and European partners. This aligns with broader goals of positioning India as a global knowledge economy leader.

Indian higher education institutions that proactively build consortia, strengthen grant-writing capabilities, and foster faculty exchanges will be best placed to capitalise on new opportunities. The developments also complement existing bilateral programmes and multilateral initiatives, creating a richer tapestry of international collaboration.

Ultimately, successful association promises to elevate the quality, visibility, and impact of research conducted at Indian universities, benefiting students, faculty, and the nation as a whole.