Korean and European advanced biotechnology researchers gather in Brussels to discuss joint participation in Horizon Europe

• Horizon Europe Networking Forum for Advanced Bio Researchers Held
• Sector-Specific Networking Forums (e.g., Energy, Advanced Mobility) to Continue in the Future

The Korea-EU Research Center (Director: Dae-Myung Lee), located in Brussels, Belgium, announced that it successfully hosted a “Korea-EU Horizon Europe Networking Forum on Advanced Biotechnology” for four days starting Tuesday, July 1.

This event aims to promote the participation of Korean researchers in Horizon Europe — the world’s largest multilateral research and innovation program — as Korea became an associated country starting in 2025. Following the two-week forums on artificial intelligence and quantum science and technology held in April, this event supports building networks between Korean and European researchers in the advanced biotechnology field.

Forum Highlights

During the forum, 36 invited researchers from Korea and Europe met in person in Brussels, home to the European Union headquarters. They shared their respective research topics and discussed collaboration through Horizon Europe projects.

Including the invited researchers, over 70 participants from the research community and related stakeholders have attended the event. These include researchers from 13 EU countries* and 5 Horizon Europe associated countries**. On the Korean side, top researchers from 14 institutions*** are participating, with Professor Kisung Ko from Chung-Ang University (and Korean National Contact Point (NCP) for Health) serving as the forum chair.

* Participating EU Countries: Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Belgium, France, Portugal, Spain, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Austria, Czech Republic, Lithuania
** Associated Countries: Switzerland, UK, Turkey, Korea, Israel
*** Korean Institutions Represented: Seoul National University, DGIST, KIST, Sungkyunkwan University, KAIST, Hallym University, Ewha Womans University, Dongguk University, IBS, Hannam University, Korea University, Chung-Ang University, Sungshin Women’s University

Program and Support

Representatives from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD), which oversees Horizon Europe, presented information on relevant policies and calls. Additionally, national contact points (NCPs) and Horizon Europe grant experts conducted consulting sessions, offering advice on partner search strategies and proposal writing.

Continuing Engagement

Following this advanced bio forum, the Korea-EU Research Center plans to continue organizing networking forums on other Horizon Europe sectors, including energy and advanced mobility. These efforts aim to build stronger collaborative networks between Korean and European researchers and promote participation in Horizon Europe.

Further information will be released sequentially via the KERC website: http://k-erc.eu

This article was first published on 3 July by KERC.