At the Ottawa Science Policy Network (OSPN), we as well as many other researchers in Canada are excited at the prospect of joining Horizon Europe. Horizon Europe serves at the European Union’s key funding program for research and innovation with a budget of €95.5 billion. “The program facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of research and innovation… while tackling global challenges.”. Once the approvals have been completed, researchers and organizations within Canada will be able to apply for “Pillar II funding of Horizon Europe”. This €53.5 billion pool of funding is tabulated to tackle collaborative global challenges such as climate change, energy, digital economy and health. Researchers will also have access to large networks of researchers in the European Union and 18 other countries associated with Horizon Europe.
OSPN looks forward to increased research funding and more collaborative experiences with researchers enabled by joining Horizon Europe. We applaud the commitment to the “global openness that is needed to drive excellence, pool resources to achieve scientific progress, and develop vibrant innovation ecosystems” that has been shown by Canada’s government in this announcement.