Brussels, 19/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 16 May, Iceland and Norway became the first non-EU member states to take part in the framework research programme 'Horizon 2020'.
The decision, which was approved at a meeting of the European Economic Area Joint Committee, takes effect retroactively and allows businesses and researchers from the two countries to play a full role in the Community programme with a budget of nearly €80 billion, since its launch in January (see EUROPE 11018).
The two countries' contribution to the programme will focus on research in many areas: the environment, oceans, energy and the fight against climate change.
Under the previous research programme, more than 2,350 participants from Iceland and Norway took part in actions co-funded by the EU. According to the European Commission, Icelandic researchers are involved in 217 projects supported to the tune of €70 million, whilst their Norwegian counterparts have worked on more than 1,400 projects receiving total aid of €712 million. (MB)