Horizon Europe and India: joint R&D funding European companies can use now

Short answer: Horizon Europe funds European companies that work with Indian partners, but until India associates to the programme, Indian participants are not automatically eligible for its money and must bring their own funding, usually from an Indian ministry that co-funds selected topics. The EU and India have also run coordinated calls worth about EUR 60 million in total under their Trade and Technology Council, and bilateral programmes such as the Indo-German IGSTC 2+2 scheme fund consortia of companies and research institutes on both sides. Formal negotiations on India's association to Horizon Europe opened in July 2026 with the aim of concluding by the end of 2026, so Indian partners could receive Horizon Europe funding directly from 2027, but only if an agreement is reached.

Who this is for: CTOs, heads of R&D, CFOs and grants managers of German and other European Mittelstand and mid-sized technology companies planning joint R&D with an Indian institute or company.

Horizon Europe and India: what is open now

Horizon Europe is the EU's EUR 93.5 billion research and innovation programme [2]. European partners are funded under the usual rules; the difference lies on the Indian side: "Indian participants are not automatically eligible for funding by Horizon Europe and have to bring their own funding to the projects" [2].

In practice, under the Indian co-funding schemes an Indian institute or company joins as an associated partner: a consortium member that contributes to the work but does not sign the EU grant agreement or receive EU money [6][7]. Its costs are met in one of two ways:

• Indian co-funding for selected topics. Indian ministries publish lists of Horizon Europe topics they will fund on the Indian side. For the 2026–2027 work programme, the Ministry of Earth Sciences will fund Indian institutes in two climate and polar topics, at up to INR 2 crore (about EUR 187,000) per project, with EU deadlines of 4 March 2027 and 23 September 2027; companies and start-ups are not eligible [6]. Earlier windows followed the same pattern: the Department of Science and Technology offered up to INR 1.5 crore per project for Indian partners in four 2023–24 topics, and Indian industry could join with its own resources [7].
• Own funds. An Indian company that wants the collaboration pays its own way.

Check each topic's Indian co-funding list before building the consortium. The wider entry questions for European companies are gathered in India for European companies: entry, structuring and the EU–India deal.

The EU–India Trade and Technology Council and its coordinated calls

The EU–India Trade and Technology Council (TTC) is a ministerial forum on trade, technology and security, launched in 2023; its ministers met in May 2023, February 2025 and, for the third time, in Brussels on 15 July 2026 [2][3]. It works through three working groups: strategic technologies, digital governance and digital connectivity; clean and green technologies; and trade, investment and resilient value chains [4].

A coordinated call is one in which the EU funds the European partners through Horizon Europe and an Indian ministry funds the Indian partners, against the same topic and a joint proposal. Under the TTC, three coordinated calls with a joint investment of about EUR 60 million over four years have covered marine pollution, renewable hydrogen from waste, and recycling of electric-vehicle batteries [2][4]. The first two have selected projects. The third, a EUR 15.2 million call (HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D2-04) co-funded by India's Ministry of Heavy Industries, was open to companies, SMEs, start-ups and research bodies from both sides, required proposals jointly developed by EU and Indian consortia, and closed on 15 September 2026 [5]. No further coordinated call had been announced by 20 October 2026 [2].

The July 2026 meeting also agreed an EV-charging innovation hub, a deep-tech start-up partnership and closer work on semiconductors, quantum technologies, AI and 6G [3]. For the battery market itself, see EV and batteries in India.

Bilateral programmes: IGSTC 2+2 and others

IGSTC 2+2. The Indo-German Science and Technology Centre (IGSTC), set up by India's Department of Science and Technology and Germany's federal research ministry [9], funds "2+2" projects: a consortium of four to six partners, with a research or academic institute and an industry partner from each country [8]. Its 2023 call offered up to EUR 450,000 per project to the German partners and up to INR 350 lakh (about EUR 327,000), of which up to INR 150 lakh for industry, to the Indian partners, over three years with a possible two-year extension [8]. Ceilings and themes change by call; check igstc.org for the current one.

CEFIPRA (France). The Indo-French Centre's industry–academia programme links French and Indian companies of any size with academic partners, for work up to prototype stage; its latest call is closed [10].

Eureka. India is not a Eureka country, and Eureka's Globalstars programme, which pairs Eureka countries with outside partner countries, had no call with India open on 20 October 2026 [11][12].

For other European countries, your national funding agency can tell you whether a bilateral call with India is open.

Decision table: which route fits your project

What changes if India associates to Horizon Europe

The EU and India opened exploratory talks on association on 6 February 2026 and agreed at the July 2026 TTC to start formal negotiations on 17 July 2026; the stated aim is to conclude before the end of 2026, with India associated from 2027 [1][2][3]. Association would let Indian researchers and institutions receive Horizon Europe funding directly and lead projects, in return for a financial contribution from India [1]. The underlying EU–India science and technology agreement of 2001 has been renewed until 2030 [1].

For a European company, association would remove the need to match each topic to an Indian ministry's list, and Indian partners could coordinate projects and compete for the same money. Until an agreement is signed and in force, plan on today's rules: a proposal for a 2027 call should not assume EU funding for the Indian partner.

Who owns the results of a joint project

Under Horizon Europe the EU does not take ownership of results [13]. Results belong to the partner that generates them; results generated jointly are jointly owned, and the joint owners should set the terms in a joint ownership agreement [14]. Without one, each joint owner may grant non-exclusive licences to third parties after prior notice (typically 45 days) and against fair and reasonable compensation [14]. Partners get access to each other's background and results free of charge for the project and on fair and reasonable conditions for exploiting their own results, and each must take steps to exploit its results for up to four years after the project ends [14]. An Indian associated partner does not sign the grant agreement [6][7], so its obligations come from the consortium agreement: write them in. Indian co-ownership law adds its own limits, set out in joint development agreements in India: who owns jointly developed inventions (ATB Legal).

If Indian researchers co-invent, check India's permission rule before filing a patent abroad first; see foreign filing licence in India (ATB Legal).

Where the resulting IP should sit for tax is covered in DEMPE and India: where should your IP sit?, and licensing it to the Indian partner afterwards in licensing your technology to an Indian company.

UK–India CETA and the EU–India FTA

Neither trade agreement funds research. The UK–India CETA, in force since 15 July 2026, refers to stronger science and innovation collaboration and an innovation working group [15]. The EU–India FTA was concluded in January 2026 but is not yet signed or in force [16]; its trade terms are in EU–India trade deal (2026): status, FTA tariffs, rules of origin, CBAM and investment protection (ATB Legal).

Worked example (illustrative)

Hypothetical. A German Mittelstand maker of industrial sensors wants to develop a sensor for harsh factory environments with an Indian engineering institute; the wider German entry questions are on the Germany–India corridor page. Project costs, the split of the grant on each side and timings are our assumptions; the funding ceilings are those of IGSTC's 2023 call [8]. INR 107 = EUR 1 (rounded exchange rates, October 2026).

Option A: an IGSTC 2+2 consortium. Four partners over three years: the German company (EUR 500,000 of costs), a German applied-research institute (EUR 250,000), the Indian institute (INR 1.6 crore, EUR 149,533) and an Indian component maker (INR 3.2 crore, EUR 299,065). Total cost: EUR 1,198,598. - Public funding at the 2023 ceilings: German side EUR 450,000. Indian side: the institute's INR 1.6 crore plus INR 1.5 crore for the component maker (the industry cap), INR 3.1 crore = EUR 289,720. Total EUR 739,720, or 62% of cost. - Assume the German side is split EUR 250,000 to the institute and EUR 200,000 to the company. The company's net cost: 500,000 − 200,000 = EUR 300,000. - Results are shared under the consortium agreement, and the project waits for the next call (assume six to nine months from call to start).

Option B: contract research, no grant. The company pays the Indian institute INR 1.6 crore (EUR 149,533) to do the same work package and funds its own EUR 500,000. Its cost: EUR 649,533, with the results assigned to it under the research contract.

Reading: the grant saves about EUR 350,000 (649,533 − 300,000), but the company shares results and waits for a call. If the sensor is core product, negotiate exclusive licences to the partners' results in the consortium agreement, or pay for ownership. If the work becomes permanent, compare setting up a global capability centre in India.

Risks and common mistakes, ranked

1. Assuming the Indian partner is funded by Horizon Europe today, and finding a hole in the budget.
2. Building a consortium around a topic no Indian ministry co-funds.
3. Signing the consortium agreement without settling joint ownership, access rights and exploitation, so the default rules apply.
4. Filing patents abroad first on inventions made in India without checking India's permission rule.
5. Planning on association from 2027 before an agreement exists.
6. Relying on published ceilings without reading the current call.

Checklist to forward internally

• Project aim, budget and timetable fixed; grant or contract research decided
• Horizon Europe topics shortlisted; Indian co-funding lists checked for each
• IGSTC, CEFIPRA or national bilateral calls checked for current dates
• Indian partner's eligibility for its own ministry's funding confirmed
• Consortium agreement covers background, ownership, joint ownership, access rights and exploitation
• Patent filing plan checked for inventions made in India
• Where the results will sit, and how they will be licensed, agreed with tax advisers
• Association negotiations monitored for 2027 calls

How ATB Corporate can help

ATB Corporate advises companies and investors on entering, structuring and operating in India and the UAE: choosing the entry route and holding structure, tax and exchange-control planning, regulatory compliance, and setting up and running the local business. To discuss your plans, contact ATB Corporate.

FAQ

Can Indian organisations take part in Horizon Europe projects?

Indian organisations can take part in Horizon Europe projects, but until India associates to the programme they are not automatically eligible for EU funding and must bring their own, usually as associated partners funded by an Indian ministry for listed topics [2][6]. European partners in the same consortium are funded under the normal rules.

Is India associated to Horizon Europe?

India is not yet associated to Horizon Europe: formal negotiations started on 17 July 2026 with the aim of concluding before the end of 2026 and association from 2027 [2][3]. Until an agreement is in force, Indian participants are not automatically eligible for EU funding.

What is the EU–India Trade and Technology Council?

The EU–India Trade and Technology Council is a ministerial forum, launched in 2023, through which the EU and India coordinate on trade, technology and security; its third meeting was in Brussels on 15 July 2026 [2][3]. Its clean-technology working group has run three coordinated research calls worth about EUR 60 million in total [2].

Are there EU–India coordinated research calls open now?

No EU–India coordinated research call was open on 20 October 2026: the latest, a EUR 15.2 million call on electric-vehicle battery recycling, closed on 15 September 2026, and no further call had been announced [2][5]. Ordinary Horizon Europe calls remain open to European applicants with Indian partners.

How much funding does an IGSTC 2+2 project get?

An IGSTC 2+2 project could receive, under the 2023 call, up to EUR 450,000 for the German partners and up to INR 350 lakh (about EUR 327,000), including up to INR 150 lakh for industry, for the Indian partners, over three years [8]. The consortium needs four to six partners, with at least one research institute and one company from each country; ceilings and themes are set in each call, so check the current call.

Who owns the results of a Horizon Europe project with an Indian partner?

Results of a Horizon Europe project are owned by the partner that generates them, and jointly generated results are owned jointly, on terms the owners should set in a joint ownership agreement [14]. An Indian associated partner does not sign the grant agreement, so its position must be written into the consortium agreement [6].

Related reading

• India for European companies: entry, structuring and the EU–India deal
• From pilot to paid contract: selling technology to Indian companies
• Global capability centres in India
• India GCC tax, transfer pricing and structuring
• India semiconductors
• India withholding tax rates 2026 and how to repatriate profits
• Joint development agreements in India: who owns jointly developed inventions (ATB Legal)

Sources

1. European Commission (DG Research and Innovation), "EU and India launch talks on Horizon Europe association" (6 February 2026) — https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/news/all-research-and-innovation-news/eu-and-india-launch-talks-horizon-europe-association-2026-02-06_en (accessed 16 October 2026)
2. European Commission (DG Research and Innovation), "International cooperation with India in research and innovation" (latest entry 15 July 2026) — https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/strategy/strategy-research-and-innovation/europe-world/international-cooperation/bilateral-cooperation-science-and-technology-agreements-non-eu-countries/india_en (accessed 20 October 2026)
3. European Commission, "EU and India strengthen strategic partnership with third Trade and Technology Council" (15 July 2026) — https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/eu-and-india-strengthen-strategic-partnership-third-trade-and-technology-council (accessed 16 October 2026)
4. European Commission and Government of India, "Joint statement on the third meeting of the EU–India Trade and Technology Council" (15 July 2026; Working Groups 1–3; joint investment of EUR 60 million over four years) — https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/joint-statement-third-meeting-eu-india-trade-and-technology-council (accessed 20 October 2026)
5. Delegation of the European Union to India (EEAS), "EU and India launch major €15.2 million/~₹169 crore joint initiative to revolutionise EV battery recycling" (call HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D2-04) (6 May 2026) — https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/india/eu-and-india-launch-major-%E2%82%AC152-million%E2%82%B9169-crore-joint-initiative-revolutionize-ev-battery-recycling_en?s=167 (accessed 16 October 2026)
6. Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, "Call for proposals: India–European Union Co-Funding Initiative: Cooperation on Climate Change and Polar Research" (Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026–2027 topics HORIZON-CL5-2027-01-D1-07 and HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-CLIMATE-04) (2026) — https://www.moes.gov.in/static/uploads/2026/04/f1d652381229f1518be873434fecc74f.pdf (accessed 16 October 2026)
7. Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, "DST announces co-funding partnership under the EU Framework Programme on R&I 'Horizon Europe' calls 2023-2024" (web notice, 2023) — https://dst.gov.in/sites/default/files/Webnotice%20India%20-%20EU%20Joint%20call%20for%20proposal%20with%20Annex%20A%20B%20C_0.pdf (accessed 16 October 2026)
8. Indo-German Science and Technology Centre, "2+2 Projects Call 2023: Waste to Wealth and Sustainable Packaging" (call text; applications closed 17 August 2023), as hosted by the Department of Science and Technology — https://dst.gov.in/sites/default/files/2%20Plus%202%20Projects%202023.pdf (accessed 20 October 2026)
9. Indo-German Science and Technology Centre, home page — https://www.igstc.org/ (accessed 16 October 2026)
10. CEFIPRA (Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research), Industry-Academia Research & Development Programme — https://www.cefipra.org/PgmIA.aspx?p=IR (accessed 16 October 2026)
11. Eureka, "Eureka countries" — https://www.eurekanetwork.org/about-us/eureka-countries/ (accessed 16 October 2026)
12. Eureka, "Globalstars" — https://www.eurekanetwork.org/programmes-and-calls/globalstars/ (accessed 20 October 2026)
13. European Commission, Funding & Tenders Portal, Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement (HE MGA — Multi & Mono, v1.2), Article 16 and Annex 5 (1 June 2026) — https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/agr-contr/general-mga_horizon-euratom_en.pdf (accessed 16 October 2026)
14. FFG (Austrian Research Promotion Agency, Austria's Horizon Europe national contact point), "Project results and intellectual property in Horizon Europe" (citing the Annotated Grant Agreement, Articles 16.1, 16.2 and 16.4 and Annex 5) — https://ffg.at/en/europe/heu/legal-financial/project-results (accessed 16 October 2026)
15. UK Government (business.gov.uk), "The UK–India trade deal" (last updated 10 October 2026) — https://www.business.gov.uk/campaign/alive-with-opportunity/the-uk-india-trade-deal/ (accessed 16 October 2026)
16. European Commission, "EU–India trade agreement" (last updated 11 September 2026) — https://commission.europa.eu/topics/trade/eu-india-trade-agreement_en (accessed 16 October 2026)

Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal, tax or grant advice; programme terms, ceilings and deadlines change with each call, and India's association to Horizon Europe is under negotiation, so check the current call documents before acting.