Brussels, 19/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - Researchers and innovators from Armenia will now have full access to Horizon 2020, the EU's research and innovation funding programme, after a specific agreement was signed between that country and the European Commission on Thursday 19 May.
“Armenia is now the 16th country associated to Horizon 2020, the world's largest public funding programme for research and innovation”, said Research and Innovation Commissioner Carlos Moedas.
Until now, Armenia has been able to participate in Horizon 2020 only as a third country. This means its research institutes and universities have not had access to some important parts of the programme such as support to innovative businesses. Thanks to this agreement, its research institutes, universities and individual researchers will now have access to all opportunities offered by Horizon 2020 in diverse areas, from fundamental science to demonstration projects, on an equal footing with researchers and organisations from EU member states, the Commission says. Armenian SMEs and businesses will also be able to benefit from increased support to develop new ideas and bring products and services to the market. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)