Partner countries in EU funding

• Associated-country entities participate under equivalent conditions to EU Member State entities unless the work programme or topic restricts participation (Art. 22(5)/(6) HE Regulation).
• Standard collaborative consortium: at least three independent legal entities in three different countries, at least one in an EU Member State and at least two others in different Member States or Associated Countries (General Annex B).
• Pillar-II-only associates (Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea) are treated as non-associated third countries in Pillar I (ERC, MSCA, Research Infrastructures), Pillar III (EIC, ecosystems) and the Widening/ERA part; there they are not automatically eligible for funding because they are not on the LMIC list.
• Countries negotiating association are treated as associated if the association agreement applies at the time of grant agreement signature, where the work programme provides for transitional arrangements.
• Topics restricted under Art. 22(5) (strategic assets, security) may limit participation to Member States only or to Member States plus named associated countries; check 'Topic Update' on the Portal for countries associated during 2026-2027.

Sources: List of Participating Countries in Horizon Europe (V4.2) (European Commission, EU Funding & Tenders Portal, 2026-10-07); Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, Part 15: General Annexes (Annex B Eligibility) (European Commission, 2026 (file dated 18.05.2026 in copy used; adopted WP 2026-2027 of 11.12.2025, possibly amended)); Press release on signature of Japan's association agreement to Horizon Europe (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, 2026-07-30)

• Transitional arrangements only apply if provided for in the particular Horizon Europe work programme; entities are then treated as associated if the agreement applies at grant signature.
• The WIDERA work programme lists Morocco 'once associated' among widening countries.

Countries Australia (transitional arrangements for Pillar II incl. institutionalised partnerships, award procedures from Union budget 2027 onwards; negotiations concluded 09.06.2026 (secondary source)); Morocco (transitional arrangements for the entire programme; currently also on the LMIC list); United Kingdom (EIC Fund only: transitional arrangements from Union budget 2026 onwards); Liechtenstein (does not intend to associate; non-associated, high-income: own cost unless exception)

Sources: List of Participating Countries in Horizon Europe (V4.2) (European Commission, EU Funding & Tenders Portal, 2026-10-07); Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, Part 11: Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (European Commission, 2026-2027 WP (version on Portal, retrieved 2026-10-14)); European Union and Australia successfully conclude Horizon Europe negotiations (ERA Portal Austria (secondary), 2026-06-09)

• Entities subject to EU restrictive measures (Art. 29 TEU, Art. 215 TFEU, Art. 75 TFEU) are ineligible in any capacity, including as associated partners and subcontractors.
• High-risk 5G suppliers (and entities they own or control) are excluded from actions 'subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks' and from MSCA proposals on communication networks.
• Art. 22(5) topics may restrict participation to EU or EU plus named countries and may exclude entities controlled from non-eligible countries.
• ERC: China-based entities excluded from Proof of Concept grants in the 10 critical technology areas; MIIT universities excluded from Synergy Grants; non-associated entities excluded from Synergy Grants in restricted critical-technology topics.

Countries Russia (excluded in any capacity; also entities outside Russia more than 50% owned by Russian entities (Council Regulation (EU) 2024/1745)); Belarus (excluded in any capacity, exceptions case by case); Ukraine (non-government controlled territories) (excluded in any capacity); Hungary (public interest trusts under Act IX of 2021 and entities they maintain) (no funded role since 16.12.2022 (Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2506); may participate as unfunded associated partners if the call allows); China (not eligible in any Innovation Action; not eligible in RIAs unless the destination is listed (e.g. Cluster 2 destinations, Cluster 5 climate sciences, Cluster 6 destinations, several Missions, WIDERA, New European Bauhaus); public universities under MIIT excluded from all actions; entities controlled by China excluded from IAs in the 10 critical technology areas where the topic says so); Israel (occupied territories) (Commission Guidelines 2013/C 205/05 apply)

Sources: Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, Part 15: General Annexes (Annex B Eligibility) (European Commission, 2026 (file dated 18.05.2026 in copy used; adopted WP 2026-2027 of 11.12.2025, possibly amended)); ERC Work Programme 2027 (Annex to Commission Decision C(2026)4907) (European Commission / ERC, 2026-07); List of Participating Countries in Horizon Europe (V4.2) (European Commission, EU Funding & Tenders Portal, 2026-10-07)

• Entities in other non-associated third countries are eligible for funding only if (a) the country is named in the work programme / call topic, or (b) the granting authority considers their participation essential (outstanding expertise, access to research infrastructures, geographical environments or data).
• Bilateral arrangements: some non-associated countries fund their own participants through national complementary funding mechanisms (EC guidance 'Complementary funding mechanisms in third countries').
• United States (NIH exception): in the Health cluster 2026-2027, many topics state that, in recognition of the opening of NIH programmes to European researchers, legal entities established in the USA are eligible for Union funding (in some topics: may exceptionally participate as beneficiary or affiliated entity; coordinators must be in EU/AC). This applies topic by topic.
• Coordination and Support Actions: beneficiaries must be in a Member State or Associated Country unless the topic says otherwise; others only as associated partners.
• Entities not eligible for funding can join as associated partners (no EU funding) unless the topic excludes this.
• International organisations: international European research organisations are fundable; other IOs only if HQ in MS/AC (for training and mobility actions) or topic/essential.

Sources: List of Participating Countries in Horizon Europe (V4.2) (European Commission, EU Funding & Tenders Portal, 2026-10-07); Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, Part 15: General Annexes (Annex B Eligibility) (European Commission, 2026 (file dated 18.05.2026 in copy used; adopted WP 2026-2027 of 11.12.2025, possibly amended)); Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, Part 4: Health (European Commission, 2026-2027 WP (version on Portal, retrieved 2026-10-14))

• Horizon Europe: OCT entities are eligible for funding (General Annex B).
• Outermost regions are fully eligible as coordinators in Widening actions (Art. 2(17) HE Regulation; WIDERA WP).
• COST: researchers in outermost regions count as their Member State at proposal stage; after approval they benefit from ITC status.

Sources: Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, Part 15: General Annexes (Annex B Eligibility) (European Commission, 2026 (file dated 18.05.2026 in copy used; adopted WP 2026-2027 of 11.12.2025, possibly amended)); Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, Part 11: Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (European Commission, 2026-2027 WP (version on Portal, retrieved 2026-10-14)); Annex I - Level A: Country and Organisations Table (Rules and Principles for COST activities), v1.8 (COST Association, 2026-09-10)

• Doctoral Networks: at least three independent legal entities in different MS/AC, at least one in a MS. Beneficiaries from non-associated third countries are possible under General Annex B funding rules (LMIC list or exception); doctoral candidates recruited by such beneficiaries may enrol solely in a programme in that country. Max 40% of EU contribution to one country. Affiliated entities not allowed.
• Postdoctoral Fellowships: single beneficiary in a MS or AC. European PF: researchers of any nationality coming to or moving within Europe (12-24 months). Global PF: European nationals or long-term residents; outgoing phase 12-24 months at an associated partner in a non-associated third country, plus mandatory 12-month return phase in MS/AC. The unit costs are paid to the EU/AC beneficiary; the third-country host is an associated partner.
• Staff Exchanges: at least three independent legal entities in three different countries, two in different MS/AC; academic and non-academic sectors required. Only MS/AC entities can be beneficiaries; third-country organisations take part as associated partners hosting or sending secondments. Secondments between non-associated third countries are not eligible. Secondments 1-12 months, full time, max 360 person-months.
• Third-country entities do not receive unit contributions in Staff Exchanges or Postdoctoral Fellowships; unit costs flow to MS/AC beneficiaries. Country correction coefficients include third countries (e.g. US 149.1%, CH 163.7%, UK 143.5%).
• Pillar-II-only associates (Canada, Japan, Korea, New Zealand) count as non-associated third countries in MSCA (MSCA is Pillar I).
• MSCA proposals on communication networks are subject to the high-risk-supplier restriction; MIIT-linked Chinese universities excluded.

Sources: Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, Part 2: Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (pre-adoption draft, Ref. Ares(2025)10117658) (European Commission (copy hosted by Science|Business), 2025-11-21 (draft; final adopted 11.12.2025 not retrieved)); Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, Part 15: General Annexes (Annex B Eligibility) (European Commission, 2026 (file dated 18.05.2026 in copy used; adopted WP 2026-2027 of 11.12.2025, possibly amended)); List of Participating Countries in Horizon Europe (V4.2) (European Commission, EU Funding & Tenders Portal, 2026-10-07)

• Host Institution must be established in an EU Member State or Associated Country, or be an international European research organisation (e.g. CERN, EMBL) or entity created under EU law.
• Synergy Grant: one Host Institution (not the Corresponding Host Institution) may be outside the EU/AC.
• Additional team members may be hosted by legal entities anywhere; such entities outside EU/AC are eligible for funding when they host team members bringing added scientific value, when essential, or as Synergy host, unless excluded or sanctioned.
• Choose Europe (WP 2027): increased additional funding for StG/CoG/AdG applicants moving from non-associated third countries to EU/AC to take up the grant.
• Restrictions: China-based entities excluded from PoC in critical technology areas; MIIT universities excluded from Synergy; non-associated entities excluded from Synergy in restricted critical-technology topics.

Sources: ERC Work Programme 2027 (Annex to Commission Decision C(2026)4907) (European Commission / ERC, 2026-07); List of Participating Countries in Horizon Europe (V4.2) (European Commission, EU Funding & Tenders Portal, 2026-10-07)

• EIC Accelerator: start-ups, SMEs and small mid-caps established in MS or AC; applicants from third countries must prove effective establishment in MS/AC at full-proposal stage.
• Associated-country companies apply like MS companies, except where a country cannot take part in the EIC Fund (blended finance or equity-only).
• EIC Pathfinder Open: at least three independent legal entities in three different countries, at least one in a MS and two others in different MS/AC; some Challenges allow single applicants.
• Canada, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and (until 2027 budget) Australia are not associated to Pillar III; their entities are non-associated (not automatically funded).

Sources: FAQs EIC Accelerator (European Innovation Council, retrieved 2026-10-14 (undated page)); List of Participating Countries in Horizon Europe (V4.2) (European Commission, EU Funding & Tenders Portal, 2026-10-07)

• Member State widening countries are fixed for the whole programme (Art. 2(17) HE Regulation); associated widening countries are set by indicator in the work programme.
• Hungarian public interest trust universities remain excluded from funded roles despite Hungary being a widening country.
• Not widening: Iceland, Israel, Norway, Switzerland, UK, and the Pillar-II-only associates.

Sources: Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, Part 11: Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (European Commission, 2026-2027 WP (version on Portal, retrieved 2026-10-14)); Annex I - Level A: Country and Organisations Table (Rules and Principles for COST activities), v1.8 (COST Association, 2026-09-10)

• COST funds networking tools only (meetings, training schools, short-term scientific missions, conference grants); research costs are excluded.
• Full and Cooperating Member researchers: eligible for reimbursement.
• Near Neighbour Country researchers: eligible for reimbursement when participating in or organising Action networking tools; can be part of the proposing network but cannot be main proposer.
• International Partner Country researchers: welcome, but bear their own costs; participate in Management Committee as observers without vote after approval on mutual-benefit basis.
• Partner Members (South Africa) fund their own researchers.
• Hungarian public-interest-trust universities: may participate without COST financial support; Hungarian Guarantee Fund available.
• Non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine: suspended.

Sources: Annex I - Level A: Country and Organisations Table (Rules and Principles for COST activities), v1.8 (COST Association, 2026-09-10); COST Global Networking (COST Association, undated; statistics Nov 2024 - Oct 2025; retrieved 2026-10-14); COST Members (COST Association, retrieved 2026-10-14)

• Council Regulation (Euratom) 2021/765 governs Euratom; association is separate from Horizon Europe association.
• The United Kingdom did not associate to Euratom (EC list, change log v2.8).
• MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships in Euratom research areas have specific eligibility conditions.

Countries Switzerland (entire programme, budgetary commitments from 2025 onwards); Ukraine (associated)

Sources: List of Participating Countries in Horizon Europe (V4.2) (European Commission, EU Funding & Tenders Portal, 2026-10-07); Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, Part 2: Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (pre-adoption draft, Ref. Ares(2025)10117658) (European Commission (copy hosted by Science|Business), 2025-11-21 (draft; final adopted 11.12.2025 not retrieved))

• 2026 guide: Version 1, 12.11.2025, integral part of the 2026 Erasmus+ Call for Proposals (OJ C/2025/6080).
• 2027 is the last call year of the 2021-2027 programme. A 2027 guide will likely reflect UK association (and possibly Swiss association). Confidence: medium (expected; still unpublished).
• Erasmus+ 2028-2034 is a separate legislative proposal (2025/2026) and not yet law.

Sources: Erasmus+ Programme Guide (landing page, 'Current version: Version 1 of 12.11.2025') (European Commission, checked 2026-10-14); Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, Version 1 (European Commission, DG EAC, 2025-11-12)

• EU Member States and associated third countries 'can fully take part in all the Actions' (guide Part A).
• Association of North Macedonia, Serbia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Türkiye is 'subject to the signature of the Association Agreements' (footnote 42).
• UK: negotiations concluded 17 Dec 2025; Council decision 30 March 2026; EU-UK Specialised Committee decision adopted 15 April 2026 amending Protocol I of the TCA; UK participation from 1 January 2027, for 2027 only; review after 10 months; continuation depends on the 2028-2034 framework. Mobility and HE cooperation can start in academic year 2027/28. Confidence: high (fact of association), medium (details such as review clause, which come partly from secondary summaries of OJ 2026/1962).
• Switzerland: EU programmes agreement signed 10 Nov 2025; Erasmus+ association targeted from 2027; Council of States approved CHF 192.6m (23:18:3); National Council decision expected December 2026; optional referendum possible. If not confirmed, the Swiss national programme (Movetia) continues. Confidence: high for status as of 1 Oct 2026; outcome unknown.
• Until association takes effect, Swiss and UK organisations are Region 14 third countries not associated (see below).

Sources: Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, Version 1 (European Commission, DG EAC, 2025-11-12); Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, Part A: Eligible countries (web version) (European Commission, DG EAC, 2025-11-12); European Union and United Kingdom take decisive step towards Erasmus+ association in 2027 (European Commission (Erasmus+ website), 2026-04-15); EU-UK relations: Council greenlights ... UK's participation in Erasmus+ for 2027 (Council of the EU, 2026-03-30); Young people from all backgrounds to get opportunity to study abroad as UK-EU deal unlocks Erasmus+ (UK Government (GOV.UK), 2025-12-17); Switzerland and EU sign agreement on Swiss participation in EU programmes (Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), 2025-11-10); New developments for Erasmus+ (Movetia (Swiss national agency), 2026-10-01 (last update))

• Legal entities from non-associated third countries are eligible only 'in duly justified cases and in the Union interest' (Art. 20 Erasmus+ Regulation).
• Funding goes to organisations within territories as recognised by international law and must respect restrictions on EU external assistance.
• Entities on EU sanctions lists (sanctionsmap.eu) are not eligible in any capacity (beneficiary, affiliated entity, associated partner, subcontractor). Other entities covered by Regulation 833/2014 (Russia) only if the call allows and an exception is granted.
• Region 5b, 7b and 8b = OECD high-income countries/territories (affects KA171 and CBHE eligibility).
• Regions 13 and 14 under KA131 internal funds are 'only receiving countries' unless an arrangement with a neighbouring country exists (footnote 78).

Sources: Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, Version 1 (European Commission, DG EAC, 2025-11-12); Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, Part A: Eligible countries (web version) (European Commission, DG EAC, 2025-11-12)

• Applicants: HEIs in EU/associated countries holding an ECHE, or mobility consortium coordinators with consortium accreditation.
• Flows: from EU/associated countries to any country in the world (non-associated Regions 1-3 and 5-14).
• Up to 20% of the last awarded project grant may be used for outgoing mobility to non-associated countries 'all over the world'.
• Regions 13 and 14 (incl. Switzerland, UK in 2026) are only receiving countries. Monthly amounts for these regions set by National Agencies.
• Student and staff mobility to Belarus and Russia and staff mobility from Belarus and Russia are not eligible.
• Partner HEIs in non-associated countries must be recognised by competent authorities and sign inter-institutional agreements before mobility.
• 2026 deadline: 19 February, 12:00 Brussels time; project start 1 June; duration 26 months.

Sources: Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, Version 1 (European Commission, DG EAC, 2025-11-12); Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, Part B: Mobility projects for higher education students and staff (European Commission, 2025-11-12)

• Applicants: ECHE-holding HEIs or consortia in EU/associated countries. Non-associated HEIs take part as partners only.
• Flows: between EU/associated countries and non-associated countries, excluding Regions 13 and 14; twelve eligible regions (1-12).
• Belarus and Russia: student/staff mobility to and staff mobility from these countries not eligible.
• ODA-eligible countries in Regions 2-11: short-cycle, bachelor and master student mobility is incoming only; outgoing only for doctoral candidates and staff (internal funds may top up outgoing).
• Blended intensive programmes are not eligible under external funds.
• Indicative EU-level targets per region (call 2027 horizon, applied programme-wide across all HEIs): Asia min 25% LDCs, max 25% high-income, max 15% China, max 10% India; Pacific max 86.5% Australia + New Zealand; Sub-Saharan Africa min 35% LDCs (emphasis on migration priority countries), max 8% per country; Latin America max 30% Brazil + Mexico; Eastern Partnership min 40% to students with fewer opportunities; Southern Neighbourhood max 15% per country, min 70% students, half with fewer opportunities; Western Balkans emphasis on student mobility.
• Envelope amounts are published per National Agency; NAs may add limits on cycle, participant type, duration.
• 2026 deadline: 19 February, 12:00; start 1 August; duration 24 or 36 months.

Sources: Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, Version 1 (European Commission, DG EAC, 2025-11-12)

• At least 3 HEIs from at least 3 EU Member States/associated countries develop and implement the BIP; coordinating and receiving HEI must hold an ECHE.
• Any HEI or organisation in an EU, associated or non-associated country may join to send participants; non-associated sending HEIs need inter-institutional agreements.
• Non-associated HEIs may send Erasmus+-funded participants only if the receiving HEI has an external-funds mobility project; such participants do not count toward the minimum.
• Teaching/training staff delivering the BIP may come from any eligible country. Physical phase 5-30 days, min 3 ECTS; organisational support EUR 400 per participant for 10-20 funded learners.
• Funded under internal policy funds (KA131) only.

Sources: Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, Version 1 (European Commission, DG EAC, 2025-11-12)

• EMJM: applicants (coordinator and beneficiaries) are HEIs in EU, associated or eligible non-associated countries; at least 3 HEIs from 3 countries, at least 2 of them EU Member States/associated.
• EMJM: non-associated HEIs can be full partners (beneficiaries) if they award Master-level degrees and commit to ECHE principles; EU/associated HEIs need an ECHE.
• EMJM/EMDM: organisations from Belarus (Region 2) and Russia (Region 4) not eligible.
• Scholarships worldwide; max 10% of scholarships to candidates of the same nationality (not applied to regional top-ups).
• Additional regional scholarships (NDICI/IPA III) for Regions 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11; indicative shares of NDICI budget: Region 3 18% (at least 20% of it to Tunisia), Region 5 21%, Region 6 9%, Region 7 3%, Region 8 1%, Region 9 27% (max 8% per country), Region 10 20% (max 30% Brazil + Mexico), Region 11 1%; Region 1 thematic focus. Confidence: high (note: Region 7 is listed with a 3% share although the top-up list names Regions 1,3,5,6,8-11; internal inconsistency in the guide).
• EMDM: applicant must be an ECHE-holding HEI in an EU/associated country; mono-beneficiary; the planned master should involve at least 3 HEIs from 3 countries, 2 of them EU/associated.

Sources: Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, Version 1 (European Commission, DG EAC, 2025-11-12); Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, Part B: Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (European Commission, 2025-11-12)

• Eligible non-associated regions: 1, 2, 3, 5a, 6, 7a, 8a, 9, 10, 11 (plus cross-regional projects). Belarus not eligible; Region 4 (Russia) not listed.
• Coordinator: HEI or organisation of HEIs; max two proposals coordinated per organisation. Non-associated HEIs must be recognised and offer full tertiary degrees (ISCED 5+).
• Strand 1 and 2, national projects (only Regions 1, 3, 5a, 6, 7a, 8a, 9): min 2 EU/associated countries with 1 HEI each + 1 non-associated country with 2 HEIs.
• Strand 1 and 2, multi-country: min 2 EU/associated countries (1 HEI each) + min 2 non-associated countries (2 HEIs each).
• Strand 3: min 2 EU/associated countries (1 HEI each) + min 1 non-associated country with 2 HEIs per country and the national competent authority (e.g. ministry). EU-Moldova Master's: 2 EU/associated HEIs + 1 Moldovan HEI + Moldovan national body.
• Non-associated organisations must be at least as numerous as EU/associated ones. Exception: one HEI suffices if a country has fewer than 5 recognised HEIs or one HEI enrols >50% of students.
• Grants: Strand 1 EUR 200-400k; Strand 2 EUR 400-800k; Strand 3 EUR 600k-1m; lump sum, 90% funding rate. Sub-Saharan Africa max 8% of regional funding per country; Global Gateway alignment mandatory for Strand 3 in Regions 5a, 6, 8a, 9, 10, 11.
• 2026 call: ERASMUS-EDU-2026-CBHE, deadline 10 February 17:00.

Sources: Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, Version 1 (European Commission, DG EAC, 2025-11-12); Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, Part B: Capacity building in the field of higher education (European Commission, 2025-11-12)

• 2026 call ERASMUS-EDU-2026-EUR-UNIV (V1.0, 18.11.2025), deadline 4 March 2026, budget EUR 145.6m incl. EUR 1.6m IPA III for Western Balkans.
• Beneficiaries/affiliated entities: ECHE-holding HEIs (or entities set up by them for the alliance) in EU Member States incl. OCTs, associated countries, Western Balkans non-associated countries.
• Minimum: 3 eligible HEIs from 3 different eligible countries.
• An HEI may be a full partner in only one alliance; associated partner in others.
• Associated partners (no EU funding): ECHE HEIs from EU/associated countries; any education/research/work organisation from EU, associated or Western Balkans countries; any HEI from a non-associated EHEA (Bologna) country. International organisations eligible as associated partners.
• Western Balkans HEIs are exempt from the ECHE requirement in other actions only 'for the purpose of the Call ... on the European Universities initiative' (guide footnote 57), i.e. they need an ECHE for this call.
• Entities under EU restrictive measures excluded in any role; Hungarian public interest trusts excluded from funded roles.

Countries Albania (Western Balkans, non-associated but eligible as full beneficiary); Bosnia and Herzegovina (Western Balkans, non-associated but eligible as full beneficiary); Kosovo (Western Balkans, non-associated but eligible as full beneficiary); Montenegro (Western Balkans, non-associated but eligible as full beneficiary)

Sources: Call for proposals ERASMUS-EDU-2026-EUR-UNIV, Partnerships for Excellence - European Universities, Call document V1.0 (European Commission / EACEA (Funding & Tenders Portal), 2025-11-18); Erasmus+ European Universities call 2026 opens (European Commission, European Education Area, 2025-11-18); Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, Version 1 (European Commission, DG EAC, 2025-11-12)

• Lot 1 (Alliances for Education and Enterprises): min 4 EU/associated countries, min 8 applicants, incl. 3 labour-market actors and 3 education/training providers, at least 1 HEI and 1 VET provider.
• Lot 1: organisations from non-associated Regions 1-3 may be beneficiaries, affiliated entities or associated partners (not coordinator) if they bring essential added value; other non-associated countries only as associated partners; Belarus excluded.
• Lot 2 (Sectoral Cooperation on Skills / Blueprint): min 8 EU/associated countries, min 12 applicants incl. 5 labour-market actors and 5 education/training providers; non-associated organisations only as associated partners.
• Lot 3 (STEM Skills Foundries): min 4 EU/associated countries, min 8 applicants incl. 3 labour-market actors; non-associated organisations only as associated partners.
• HEIs in EU/associated countries need an ECHE. Affiliated entities and associated partners do not count toward minimum composition.

Sources: Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, Version 1 (European Commission, DG EAC, 2025-11-12)

• Modules, Chairs, Centres of Excellence: HEIs established in an EU Member State, associated country or non-associated third country; EU/associated HEIs need an ECHE. Belarus and Russia not eligible.
• Separate funding windows for EU/associated vs non-associated countries for Modules and Chairs; max grants Module EUR 35,000, Chair EUR 60,000, Centre of Excellence EUR 100,000.
• Jean Monnet Network on internal policy (2026: 'A resilient Single Market'): ECHE HEIs from EU/associated countries only; min 12 applicants, min 7 entities from different EU/associated countries.
• Jean Monnet Network on external policy (2026: EU-India): min 12 applicants, min 6 from India; coordinator EU/associated; Belarus/Russia excluded.
• Jean Monnet in other fields of education (schools/VET): applicants from EU/associated countries only.

Sources: Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, Version 1 (European Commission, DG EAC, 2025-11-12)

• Minimum 3 organisations from 3 different EU Member States/associated countries; no maximum.
• Coordinator: organisation in an EU/associated country, legally established at least 2 years before the deadline.
• Non-associated partners: only Regions 1-3, except Belarus; only if 'essential added value'; never coordinator; do not count toward the minimum of 3.
• Associated partners (unfunded) may come from elsewhere; Belarus and Russia excluded even as associated partners. Confidence: medium (the guide does not explicitly limit associated partners geographically; inferred).
• HEIs in EU/associated countries need an ECHE; non-associated HEIs must sign up to its principles.
• Applications go to the National Agency of the applicant's country; European NGOs (min 9 entities in 9 EU/associated countries) apply to EACEA.

Sources: Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, Version 1 (European Commission, DG EAC, 2025-11-12); Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, Part B: Cooperation partnerships (European Commission, 2025-11-12)

• Under Art. 33.2 Council Decision (EU) 2021/1764, OCT individuals and organisations are eligible 'on an EU Member State or third country associated to the Programme status', namely that of the Member State they are connected with.
• Full OCT list is kept by DG INTPA (international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu, 'Overseas countries and territories').
• European Universities call explicitly lists 'EU Member States (including OCTs)' as eligible.

Countries Greenland; Faroe Islands (NOT an OCT; listed as non-associated third country in Region 14.)

Sources: Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, Version 1 (European Commission, DG EAC, 2025-11-12); Call for proposals ERASMUS-EDU-2026-EUR-UNIV, Partnerships for Excellence - European Universities, Call document V1.0 (European Commission / EACEA (Funding & Tenders Portal), 2025-11-18); Overseas Countries and Territories (European Commission, DG INTPA, n/a)

• Definition taken verbatim from the WP 2026-2027 introduction: 'less advanced countries eligible for hosting coordinators of widening actions'.
• Not Widening: e.g. Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Spain (mainland), Nordics, Benelux, Ireland, and associated countries such as Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, UK, Israel, New Zealand, Canada, Korea, Japan (if associated).
• Outermost regions count as Widening even though their Member States (France, Spain) do not.
• Italy and Spain are NOT Horizon Europe Widening countries, but they ARE EIT RIS countries – do not mix the two lists.

Sources: Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, 11. Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (Annex XI) (European Commission, WP 2026-2027; PDF as downloaded 2026-10-14 carries creation date 2026-09-29 (likely an amended version; adoption reported 2025-12-11)); Bridging innovation gaps: Horizon Europe boosting R&I in emerging regions (European Research Executive Agency (REA), 2026-03-18)

• Coordinator must be established in a Widening country.
• At least two internationally leading research institutions from two different Member States or associated countries ('internationally leading research institutions or higher education establishments at European Union level').
• General Annex B default also applies: at least three independent legal entities from three different MS/AC, at least one in an EU Member State.
• 'Internationally leading' is not defined by a list or ranking; proposals must demonstrate the partners' scientific excellence (evaluated under award criteria).
• Coordination and Support Action, lump sum, EUR 0.8-1.5 million per project, up to 3 years; total EUR 264.5 million.
• Optional research component max. 30% of the grant; at least 50% of that component goes to the coordinator.
• Mandatory research-management work package for the coordinator.
• JRC may join as zero-funded beneficiary or associated partner.
• Deadline: 9 April 2026 (opened 8 January 2026); no further Twinning call listed for 2027.
• Ex-aequo priority to coordinators from Widening countries not otherwise represented higher in the ranking.

Countries Coordinator: any Widening country (see section horizon-widening-countries); Leading partners: any EU Member State or Horizon Europe associated country (at least two, from two different countries; Widening or non-Widening not restricted in the WP text, but they must be 'internationally leading')

Sources: Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, 11. Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (Annex XI) (European Commission, WP 2026-2027; PDF as downloaded 2026-10-14 carries creation date 2026-09-29 (likely an amended version; adoption reported 2025-12-11)); European Research Area Platform – WIDERA work programme 2026-2027 call overview (European Commission (ERA Platform), accessed 2026-10-14)

• Teaming Synergies HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-01-WIDENING-01: one project, EUR 7 million, 5 years, deadline 24 September 2026 (opened 23 April 2026).
• Teaming for Excellence HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-ACCESS-01-01-two-stage: stage 1 deadline 10 April 2025, stage 2 deadline 20 January 2026, EUR 270 million, 64 stage-2 proposals; grant signature September 2026, projects start from December 2026.
• Teaming for Excellence required binding complementary national/regional/structural-fund co-funding at stage 2 (per FFG NCP).
• FFG states this was the last Teaming call under Horizon Europe; WP 2026-2027 confirms no new Teaming for Excellence call.

Countries Teaming Synergies coordinator: Widening country entity that is or was coordinator of an H2020 or Horizon Europe Teaming action; Teaming for Excellence (closed): coordinator in a Widening country; at least one advanced partner from a research-intensive Member State or associated country

Sources: Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, 11. Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (Annex XI) (European Commission, WP 2026-2027; PDF as downloaded 2026-10-14 carries creation date 2026-09-29 (likely an amended version; adoption reported 2025-12-11)); Teaming for Excellence (European Research Executive Agency (REA), no page date; accessed 2026-10-14); Horizon Europe: Teaming for Excellence (national contact point page) (FFG – Austrian Research Promotion Agency (secondary, national NCP), accessed 2026-10-14)

• ERA Chairs HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-02-WIDENING-01: mono-beneficiary, CSA lump sum, EUR 1.5-2.5 million, total EUR 175 million.
• ERA Research Managers HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-02-WIDENING-02: mono-beneficiary, only one proposal per legal entity, total EUR 65 million.
• Call opens 6 April 2027, deadline 14 September 2027.
• Chair holder commits at least 50% FTE until a permanent research group leader is appointed by month 36, then at least 20%.
• Award: at least the highest-ranked proposal per Widening country is funded if above thresholds; Seals of Excellence for unfunded above-threshold proposals.

Countries Applicant: Widening country only; ERA Chair holder: any country worldwide (must not already have a contractual relationship with the host)

Sources: Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, 11. Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (Annex XI) (European Commission, WP 2026-2027; PDF as downloaded 2026-10-14 carries creation date 2026-09-29 (likely an amended version; adoption reported 2025-12-11))

• At least two R&I ecosystems from two different Widening countries; each ecosystem entirely in one Widening country.
• Each ecosystem must cover four actor types: academia, business (at least one established firm with 2 years' turnover if individual entities are used), regional/local public authority, societal actors (e.g. cultural actors, CSOs).
• Funding rate 70%; financial support to third parties (SMEs/start-ups) up to EUR 60,000 each; total EUR 100 million; 40-page limit.
• Opening 2 September 2026, deadline 4 March 2027.

Countries Coordinator and core ecosystems: Widening countries (min. two different ones); Non-Widening countries (may join if necessary to achieve the expected impacts)

Sources: Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, 11. Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (Annex XI) (European Commission, WP 2026-2027; PDF as downloaded 2026-10-14 carries creation date 2026-09-29 (likely an amended version; adoption reported 2025-12-11)); European Research Area Platform – WIDERA work programme 2026-2027 call overview (European Commission (ERA Platform), accessed 2026-10-14)

• Apply via MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships; unfunded MSCA PF proposals with Widening hosts are automatically considered (opt-out possible).
• 2026: HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-05-WIDENING-01, deadline 9 September 2026.
• 2027: HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-03-WIDENING-01, opening 7 April 2027, deadline 8 September 2027.

Countries Host organisation: Widening country only; Researcher: any nationality (must move to the Widening country (MSCA mobility rule)); Secondment: any country worldwide (max. one third of fellowship duration)

Sources: Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, 11. Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (Annex XI) (European Commission, WP 2026-2027; PDF as downloaded 2026-10-14 carries creation date 2026-09-29 (likely an amended version; adoption reported 2025-12-11))

• Eligible running action: Horizon Europe Pillar II main WP or EIC Pathfinder collaborative grant, managed by the Commission or an executive agency, with no Widening entity as beneficiary, affiliated entity or associated partner, and 1-12 months after start at the deadline.
• At least 90% of the grant to the Widening beneficiary, max. 10% coordination fee.
• RIA, EUR 0.2-0.6 million, total EUR 30 million; opening 13 January 2026, deadline 24 September 2026.

Countries New beneficiary: one legal entity from a Widening country; Applicant: coordinator of the running project (any eligible country)

Sources: Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, 11. Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (Annex XI) (European Commission, WP 2026-2027; PDF as downloaded 2026-10-14 carries creation date 2026-09-29 (likely an amended version; adoption reported 2025-12-11))

• Research Management Facility HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-04-WIDENING-01: one CSA, EUR 7 million, deadline 24 September 2026; WIDERA NCP host organisations exceptionally eligible.
• EIC Pre-accelerator HORIZON-WIDERA-2027-01-WIDENING-01: opening 5 May 2027, deadline 18 November 2027; funding rate 70%.
• ERA Talents (staff exchanges, WP 2023-2024) and European Excellence Initiative (last deadline 20 November 2025) are not in WP 2026-2027.
• COST is funded from WIDERA: at least 50% of the budget for researchers from Widening countries and at least 50% of proposers in COST Inclusiveness Target Countries.

Countries Research Management Facility: coordinator in a Widening country; min. 3 entities from 3 different MS/AC, two of them in EU Member States; EIC Pre-accelerator – Widening: beneficiaries must be SMEs in a Widening country (up to EUR 10 million reserve for Western Balkan SMEs)

Sources: Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, 11. Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (Annex XI) (European Commission, WP 2026-2027; PDF as downloaded 2026-10-14 carries creation date 2026-09-29 (likely an amended version; adoption reported 2025-12-11))

• Beneficiary is a public administration in the partner country; Member State partner must have a similar structure and mandate.
• Implementation only by EU Member State public administrations or semi-public bodies registered as Twinning mandated bodies.
• Rules: Twinning Manual Revision 2017, Update 2022 (applies from 1 September 2022); fiches are announced via national contact points.
• Relevance for universities: limited – public universities or research institutes can sometimes be registered as mandated bodies; staff can serve as short-term experts.
• Legal basis: IPA III Regulation (EU) 2021/1529, Annex I beneficiaries (original text): Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye. NDICI Regulation (EU) 2021/947, Annex I neighbourhood area: Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria, Tunisia, Ukraine.

Sources: Twinning (funding and technical assistance) (European Commission, DG for Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (MENA), no page date; latest linked items 2025); Twinning (European Commission, DG for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (ENEST), latest linked document 'List of Twinning Sectors' 2026-07-14); Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 establishing the Instrument for Pre-Accession assistance (IPA III), Annex I (European Parliament and Council (Official Journal; retrieved via Publications Office CELLAR, CELEX 32021R1529), 2021-09-15); Regulation (EU) 2021/947 establishing NDICI – Global Europe, Annex I (neighbourhood area) (European Parliament and Council (Official Journal; via CELLAR, CELEX 32021R0947), 2021-06-09)

• Applicants: national administrations and public bodies; not civil society, citizens or companies.
• Experts: public-sector experts from the 27 Member States.

Countries Enlargement candidates and potential candidates; Eastern Neighbourhood partners; North Africa and Middle East partners; DG INTPA partner countries and territories; Turkish Cypriot community; EU Member States (via TAIEX-REGIO, TAIEX-TSI, TAIEX-EIR)

Sources: TAIEX (European Commission, DG ENEST, no page date; latest linked activity report 2025-07-09)

• Municipalities from at least 2 eligible countries, at least one an EU Member State.
• Events: minimum 50 direct participants, at least 25 'invited international participants'.
• Deadline 23 September 2026, 17:00 CET; call document V1.0 of 28 April 2026; budget about EUR 6 million.
• International organisations eligible regardless of country.
• Legal basis: CERV Regulation (EU) 2021/692 Art. 7 opens the programme to EEA/EFTA countries, acceding/candidate/potential candidate countries and European Neighbourhood Policy countries – but only once each has a signed association agreement.

Countries EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs)); Countries associated to CERV (per secondary listings for 2026: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine)

Sources: Call document CERV-2026-CITIZENS-TOWN-TT — Town-Twinning, V1.0 (European Commission / EACEA, 2026-04-28); CERV Call: Town-Twinning (CERV-2026-CITIZENS-TOWN-TT) (ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy (secondary), 2026); Regulation (EU) 2021/692 establishing the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme, Art. 7 (European Parliament and Council (via CELLAR, CELEX 32021R0692), 2021-04-28)

• Applicants: towns/municipalities, twinning committees or networks, other local/regional authorities, associations of local authorities, non-profits representing local authorities.
• At least 4 applicants from 4 different eligible countries, at least 2 EU Member States; activities in at least 2 eligible countries.
• Deadline 16 April 2026 (closed); call document V1.0 of 17 December 2025.
• Legal basis: CERV Regulation (EU) 2021/692 Art. 7 opens the programme to EEA/EFTA countries, acceding/candidate/potential candidate countries and European Neighbourhood Policy countries – but only once each has a signed association agreement.

Countries EU Member States (including OCTs); Countries associated to CERV (same list as Town Twinning)

Sources: Call document CERV-2026-CITIZENS-TOWN-NT — Networks of Towns, V1.0 (European Commission / EACEA, 2025-12-17); Regulation (EU) 2021/692 establishing the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme, Art. 7 (European Parliament and Council (via CELLAR, CELEX 32021R0692), 2021-04-28)

• 2025 call (ERASMUS-EDU-2025-PEX-TEACH-ACA, closed 26 March 2025): at least 6 beneficiaries from at least 4 EU Member States or associated third countries, incl. initial teacher education providers from 3 countries, at least one continuing professional development provider and one practice/training school.
• 2024 call additionally required at least 3 of the countries to be EU Member States.
• Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026 lists the action under Partnerships for Excellence but contains no 2026 eligibility section.

Countries EU Member States and Erasmus+ associated third countries (rule of the 2025 call)

Sources: Erasmus+ Teacher Academies (European Commission, European Education Area portal, last updated 2026-07-24); Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, Version 1 (European Commission, 2025-11-12); Erasmus+ Teacher Academies 2025 (call summary) (Cyprus Funding Programmes Portal (secondary), 2025)

• At least 8 beneficiaries from at least 4 EU Member States or associated third countries.
• Each of those countries needs at least one employer/industry organisation and at least one VET provider (secondary or tertiary).

Countries Full participants and coordinator: EU Member States and Erasmus+ associated third countries; Non-associated third countries in Regions 1-3 (as beneficiary or affiliated entity if essential added value; never coordinator); Other non-associated third countries (associated partners only); Belarus (excluded)

Sources: Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, Version 1 (Centres of Vocational Excellence) (European Commission, 2025-11-12)

• Network of Proposers: at least 7 COST Full/Cooperating Members, at least 50% of them ITC; at least 40% Young Researchers and Innovators.
• Outermost-region researchers count as their Member State (e.g. Azores = Portugal = ITC; Guadeloupe = France = non-ITC).
• Near Neighbour Countries and other third countries can join as secondary proposers / participants; they do not count towards the minimum.

Countries COST Full Members (41) (EU-27 plus Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom); Cooperating Member: Israel; Partner Member: South Africa

Sources: COST Open Call – Proposers' Guidelines, Level C, oc-2026-1 (COST 104/21 V5.0) (COST Association, March 2026); COST Members (COST Association, accessed 2026-10-14)

• Criterion (EIT SIA 2021-2027): 'moderate' or 'modest' innovator in at least one EIS report (2021-2023 reports for 2025-2027).
• All countries eligible in 2021-2024 remain eligible in 2025-2027.
• Associated countries only once their Horizon Europe association applies.

Sources: Strengthening Europe's innovation landscape: three new countries join EIT RIS (European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), 2025-01-14); Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) – Countries eligible to take part in the EIT RIS (2026) (EIT Urban Mobility (EIT KIC), 2026)

• Single beneficiary; partner organisations do not count as beneficiaries.
• 2026 call HORIZON-MSCA-2026-COFUND-01 closed 8 April 2026; next call HORIZON-MSCA-2027-COFUND-02 ('Choose Europe for Science') expected to open 8 December 2026, deadline 6 April 2027.
• No Widening restriction; standard MSCA mobility rule applies to recruited fellows.

Countries Applicant (beneficiary): EU Member State or Horizon Europe associated country

Sources: Two important MSCA calls opened for 2026 (news) (TÜBİTAK Horizon Europe NCP (secondary), 2025-12-18); MSCA Choose Europe for Science (European Research Executive Agency (REA), accessed 2026-10-14)

• Proposal for Horizon Europe 2028-2034 (COM(2025) 543, July 2025), Art. 19: only widening or transition-country entities may coordinate widening actions.
• From 2030, capacity-building access only for widening countries that increased real public R&D expenditure year on year.
• Outlook only: Parliament and Council negotiations ongoing; positions differ (e.g. Denmark to move Widening out of FP10, Latvia to double it).

Countries FP10 proposal – Widening countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia; FP10 proposal – Transition countries: Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia (eligible as coordinators for networking-type measures only (e.g. Twinning, Excellence Hubs, ERA Fellowships); capacity building (e.g. Teaming, ERA Chairs) is excluded); FP10 proposal – associated countries: list based on an indicator, to be published in the work programme; outermost regions remain eligible as coordinators

Sources: Horizon Europe 2028-2034 – the legal package (presentation incl. widening provisions, FP Art. 19 and SP Art. 15 of the proposal) (European Commission, DG RTD (J. Niehoff); slides dated 25/07/2025, hosted by Hungarian Academy of Sciences 2025-11-05, 2025-07-25); Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027, 11. Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (Annex XI) (European Commission, WP 2026-2027; PDF as downloaded 2026-10-14 carries creation date 2026-09-29 (likely an amended version; adoption reported 2025-12-11)); Parliament's Widening task force joins calls for a standalone Framework Programme (Science|Business (secondary), 2026)

• Applicants/beneficiaries must be established in the EU (incl. OCTs) or a participating non-EU country, and only for the strands/actions their country participates in (high).
• Culture strand 2026 (e.g. CREA-CULT-2026-COOP): the minimum consortium (3 or 5 entities from as many eligible countries) must consist of beneficiaries from eligible countries; associated partners do not count towards the minimum (medium: call text via secondary summaries).
• Entities from non-participating countries (e.g. UK, Switzerland, USA) can in general only take part as associated partners/subcontractors without EU funding, where the call allows it (medium: standard F&T call template; Regulation (EU) 2021/818 Art. 10 'Other third countries' not read verbatim).
• Türkiye was removed from the list in April 2024; Israel was removed in 2023 (high).
• Entities under EU restrictive measures and those covered by Guidelines 2013/C 205/05 are excluded in any capacity (high).

Sources: EU Grants: List of participating countries (CREA) (European Commission, Funding & Tenders Portal, V10.0, 15.01.2026); Moldova to join Creative Europe programme in 2026 (European Commission, Culture and Creativity, 02.09.2025); Regulation (EU) 2021/818 establishing the Creative Europe Programme (Art. 9-10) (Official Journal of the EU, L 189, 28.05.2021)

• Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein explicitly do not participate (high).
• The associated countries cannot be beneficiaries under Union Values strand calls (e.g. CERV-UV operating grants, values calls) (high).
• 2026 calls such as Town-Twinning, Networks of Towns and Citizens' Engagement list EU + the eight countries above as eligible (medium: via ALDA call summaries).
• Participation of non-associated third-country entities (e.g. UK, Switzerland) as unfunded associated partners depends on each call text (low: not verified in regulation).

Countries Albania (all strands except Union Values; applicable from 01.01.2023); Bosnia and Herzegovina (all strands except Union Values; from 01.01.2023); Kosovo (all strands except Union Values; from 01.01.2023); Serbia (all strands except Union Values; from 01.01.2023); Ukraine (all strands except Union Values; from 01.01.2023); Moldova (all strands except Union Values; from 01.01.2024); Montenegro (all strands except Union Values; from 01.01.2024); North Macedonia (all strands except Union Values; from 01.01.2025)

Sources: EU Grants: List of participating countries (CERV) (European Commission, Funding & Tenders Portal, V10.0, 01.08.2025); Regulation (EU) 2021/692 establishing the CERV programme (Official Journal of the EU, L 156, 05.05.2021)

• Interreg Europe: 36 partner states = EU 27 + Norway, Switzerland, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine. Partners from other countries must use their own funds. All 2021-2027 funds are committed; no further calls planned (medium: programme website via search/fetch).
• Interreg Central Europe: EU-only programme area (AT, CZ, DE parts, HR, HU, IT parts, PL, SK, SI). Partners from outside the EU may only join as observers/associated, without ERDF; EU partners outside the area only with clear benefit to the area (medium: programme FAQ).
• Interreg Atlantic Area: France, Ireland, Portugal, Spain only; UK no longer eligible (high: approved programme and call ToR).
• Interreg North Sea: Belgium (Flanders), Denmark, Germany (north-west), France (north-west), Netherlands, Norway (southern regions), Sweden (west); UK no longer in the area (medium-high).
• Interreg Baltic Sea Region: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany (parts), Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden + Norway; Russian/Belarusian organisations are excluded, including as associated organisations (high: programme news 08.03.2022).
• Interreg Danube Region: 9 EU Member States (AT, BG, HR, CZ, DE Baden-Württemberg/Bavaria, HU, RO, SK, SI) + Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Moldova, Ukraine; budget split ERDF 165.4m, IPA 30m, NDICI 19.6m (medium).
• Interreg Alpine Space: AT, DE, FR, IT, SI + Liechtenstein, Switzerland (high for countries; funding mode for CH/LI medium).
• Interreg Euro-MED: 10 EU Member States + Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia (medium).
• Interreg NEXT (external borders, EUR 1.1bn ERDF+NDICI+IPA): cross-border Poland-Ukraine, Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine, Romania-Ukraine, Romania-Moldova, Italy-Tunisia; transnational Black Sea Basin and NEXT MED (high: DG REGIO page).
• IPA cross-border programmes: 10 IPA-funded Interreg A programmes between Member States and candidate countries (e.g. Bulgaria-Türkiye, Greece-Albania, Croatia-Serbia) (medium: count from secondary source).

Countries Norway (Interreg Europe (50% funding for Norwegian partners), North Sea (southern Norway), Baltic Sea Region (Norwegian national funds), Northern Periphery and Arctic); Switzerland (Interreg Europe and Alpine Space (plus several cross-border programmes on its borders); Swiss partners funded by Switzerland directly, outside ERDF; reported as outside the partner states of North-West Europe 2021-2027); Liechtenstein (Alpine Space); Iceland, Faroe Islands, Greenland (Northern Periphery and Arctic); Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia (Interreg Euro-MED (IPA funds); also Interreg Europe); Serbia (Danube Region (IPA); Interreg Europe); Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro (Danube Region (IPA)); Moldova (Danube Region (NDICI, whole country); Interreg Europe; Interreg NEXT Romania-Moldova); Ukraine (Danube Region (NDICI; Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Zakarpattia, Odesa oblasts per programme document); Interreg Europe; Interreg NEXT with Poland, Hungary-Slovakia-Romania, Romania); Tunisia (Interreg NEXT Italy-Tunisia; NEXT MED); United Kingdom (Only PEACE PLUS (Northern Ireland / Ireland border counties). Not in North Sea, Atlantic Area, North-West Europe or any other 2021-2027 Interreg programme); Russia, Belarus (Cooperation suspended since March 2022 (Baltic Sea Region and all NEXT programmes))

Sources: Interreg NEXT (European Commission, DG REGIO, undated, accessed 14.10.2026); What is Interreg Europe? (Interreg Europe, accessed 14.10.2026); Transnational cooperation with Russia and Belarus suspended (Interreg Baltic Sea Region MA/JS, 08.03.2022); Interreg Baltic Sea Region 2021-2027 (Interreg Baltic Sea Region, accessed 14.10.2026); Interreg Atlantic Area 2021-2027 / Approved programme (Interreg Atlantic Area, 2022); Guidance Note Call 3 (Interreg North Sea, 2023); About the programme (Interreg Alpine Space, accessed 14.10.2026); FAQs (Interreg Central Europe, accessed 14.10.2026); Where we are (Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic, accessed 14.10.2026); Interreg Euro-MED Programme 2021-2027 (approved programme) (Interreg Euro-MED, 2022); Danube Region Programme 2021-2027 (Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, Bulgaria (National Authority), accessed 14.10.2026); Financing Agreement UK-Ireland-EC PEACE PLUS Programme 2021-2027 (TS 26/2023) (UK Government, 2023)

• Norway and Liechtenstein do not participate in LIFE (high).
• Eligible: legal entities in the EU or OCTs, in associated third countries, entities created under Union law and international organisations; natural persons cannot apply (high).
• Entities from non-associated third countries 'may exceptionally be eligible to participate where this is necessary for the achievement of the objectives' and 'shall in principle bear the cost of their participation' (high: CINEA applicant page).

Countries Iceland (from 01.01.2021); Moldova (from 01.01.2021 (signed 26.11.2022)); Ukraine (from 01.01.2021 (signed 24.06.2022)); North Macedonia (from 01.01.2023); Montenegro (from 01.01.2025 (signed 15.05.2025)); Serbia (negotiations ongoing (not yet eligible))

Sources: EU Grants: List of participating countries (LIFE) (European Commission, Funding & Tenders Portal, V10.0, 01.03.2026); LIFE - Support for applicants (CINEA, European Commission, accessed 14.10.2026); Montenegro joins EU LIFE programme for environment and climate action (CINEA, 15.05.2025)

• Specific Objective 3 (cybersecurity) is not open to associated countries other than the EEA states as listed (high: country list).
• Art. 12(5) Regulation (EU) 2021/694: cybersecurity actions — entities established in associated countries and EU entities controlled from non-eligible countries cannot participate unless the work programme provides otherwise (medium: Commission info-session slides).
• Art. 12(6): HPC, AI and semiconductor topics may be restricted; entities from associated countries or EU entities controlled from third countries may participate only under conditions set in the work programme; an ownership-control declaration is required (medium).
• No ENP country has expressed interest; UK, Canada, Japan, Korea are not associated to DEP (high for 'not on list').
• Non-associated third-country entities: participation depends on call conditions; generally not funded (low: not verified in regulation).

Sources: EU Grants: List of participating countries (DEP) (European Commission, Funding & Tenders Portal, V7.0, 01.12.2025); Questions and answers on the Digital Europe Programme (General FAQ) (European Commission, Shaping Europe's digital future, accessed 14.10.2026); Regulation (EU) 2021/694 establishing the Digital Europe Programme (Official Journal of the EU, L 166, 11.05.2021)

• EU4Health: Liechtenstein does not participate; no ENP or other countries (high).
• SMP list last updated 15.07.2024; Armenia and Georgia had expressed interest only (high for that date).

Countries EU4Health: Iceland, Norway (from 01.01.2021); EU4Health: Ukraine (from 01.01.2022); EU4Health: Moldova (from 01.01.2023); EU4Health: Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina (from 01.01.2024); EU4Health: Serbia (from 01.01.2026); EU4Health: North Macedonia (signed June 2026, retroactive from 01.01.2026); SMP: Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein (most strands except Food); SMP: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Türkiye (SME competitiveness (COSME) strand only); SMP: Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia (several strands incl. SMEs, internal market, consumer protection); SMP: Moldova (market surveillance + SMEs); SMP: Ukraine (SMEs + European statistics)

Sources: EU Grants: List of participating countries (EU4H) (European Commission, Funding & Tenders Portal, V9.0, 01.10.2026); EU Grants: List of participating countries (SMP) (European Commission, Funding & Tenders Portal, V13.0, 15.07.2024)

• Applicants must be nationals of an eligible country and, as legal persons, effectively established there (Art. 28(1)).
• Human Rights and Democracy, Peace, Stability and Conflict Prevention, and rapid response actions: open without limitations, subject to the nature of the action (Art. 28(2)).
• Multi-country actions: entities from the countries and territories covered by the action may be considered eligible (Art. 28(8)).
• A call may restrict eligibility by nationality, location or type of applicant where the action requires it (Art. 28(9)); exceptions for non-eligible countries are possible in urgent or duly substantiated cases (Art. 28(10)).
• Staff employed by an eligible applicant can be of any nationality (Art. 28(4)).
• Global Gateway is a political framework without a programme of its own; university-related funding runs via NDICI calls, Erasmus+ capacity building or Horizon Europe.

Countries EU Member States, candidate and potential candidate countries (IPA III), EEA countries; Neighbourhood partner countries (for programmes in which they participate); Developing countries on the OECD DAC list of ODA recipients that are not G20 members, and overseas countries and territories; G20 developing countries and other countries (only for actions in which they participate); Countries with reciprocal access decided by the Commission; OECD members (for contracts implemented in least developed or highly indebted poor countries)

Sources: Regulation (EU) 2021/947 establishing NDICI-Global Europe, Article 28 (Official Journal of the EU, L 209; text read via the Publications Office (CELLAR), 14.06.2021, read 14.10.2026)

• NEB Facility 2026 calls (Horizon Europe Cluster 5/6 and missions-linked topics) opened 05.05.2026, deadline 01.12.2026; around EUR 101m from Horizon Europe in 2026 (medium-high: Commission announcement).
• Horizon Europe: entities from non-associated low- and middle-income countries on the Commission list are automatically eligible for funding; others (e.g. USA, China, Australia until 2027) participate at own cost unless explicitly funded (high).
• NEB-related calls also appear in Creative Europe, LIFE, Interreg and ERDF (e.g. European Urban Initiative); each follows its own programme's country rules (medium).

Countries Horizon Europe associated (full) (Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt (from budget 2025), Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland (from budget 2025), Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom (except EIC Fund)); Horizon Europe associated (Pillar II only) (Canada, Japan (from budget 2026), New Zealand, Republic of Korea); Horizon Europe transitional arrangements (Morocco (entire programme), Australia (Pillar II, from budget 2027)); NEB Prizes 2026 (EU, Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova; international strand: Brazil, Japan)

Sources: EU Grants: List of participating countries (HE) (European Commission, Funding & Tenders Portal, V4.2, 07.10.2026); Commission opens call for proposals to revitalise neighbourhoods across Europe (European Commission, New European Bauhaus, 05.05.2026); New European Bauhaus Prizes 2026 – Applications open with extended deadlines and expanded international strand (EEAS, 2026); NEB Prizes FAQ (European Commission, 2026)

• PRIMA runs under Decision (EU) 2017/1324 as amended; extended to 31.12.2031 (medium-high: Council approval Sept 2026).
• Horizon Europe list: low- and middle-income countries (incl. most of Africa, e.g. Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana) are automatically eligible for funding (high).
• Exceptional funding for non-listed countries if explicitly named in the call or if participation is essential (high).

Countries PRIMA participating states (EU: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain; HE-associated: Egypt, Israel, Tunisia, Türkiye; non-associated: Jordan, Lebanon; Morocco (exchange of letters approved by Council 24.09.2026); Algeria pending); Global Health EDCTP3 (EDCTP Association: 49 member countries (16 European incl. Switzerland since 24.02.2026, 33 African incl. Burundi, Togo, Madagascar 2025-2026); most topics require at least one partner from a sub-Saharan African member country); EU-Africa energy (LEAP-RE → LEAP-SE) (LEAP-RE ended 31.12.2025; successor LEAP-SE (Horizon Europe co-funded, 26 African and European partners) runs joint calls 2026; eligibility per call and national funder); China (Not automatically funded; excluded from Horizon Europe Innovation Actions in any capacity and, from 2026, from many research actions (health, digital, civil security, some culture/climate/bioeconomy topics)); United States (Not associated and not automatically funded; participates at own cost or via exceptional funding/complementary national mechanisms)

Sources: Participating States (PRIMA Foundation, accessed 14.10.2026); Council approves Morocco's continued participation in PRIMA (Council of the EU (via Lovguiden/EUR-Lex summary), 05.10.2026); EDCTP achievements paper (AU-EU R&I Ministerial) (EEAS, 2026); Switzerland joins the EDCTP Association (EDCTP, 2026); LEAP-RE project (grant 963530) (CORDIS, European Commission, 2020-2025); EU Grants: List of participating countries (HE) (European Commission, Funding & Tenders Portal, V4.2, 07.10.2026); China — bilateral cooperation in science and technology (European Commission, DG RTD, accessed 14.10.2026)