QRF: Europe’s largest low-carbon energy research community welcomes first transatlantic member

The European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) has welcomed the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) as its first transatlantic member following the conclusion of negotiations for Canada’s association to Pillar II of Horizon Europe. This development will allow for enhanced international collaboration in low-carbon energy research, providing new opportunities for innovation and global partnerships on both sides of the Atlantic.

The European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) and Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) have announced their collaboration, with UQTR becoming EERA’s first transatlantic member. This cooperation follows the official acceptance of the university as a full member of EERA, marking a step in expanding cooperation in low-carbon energy research and innovation. This historic membership was made possible thanks to Canada’s association to Pillar II of Horizon Europe, the EU’s €95 billion research and innovation programme.

The high-level expertise of UQTR globally recognised in its niches of excellence, particularly in renewable energies based on hydrogen and biomass, constitutes added value for EERA. UQTR’s membership in EERA is set to boost collaborative efforts in the field of low-carbon energy research. As part of EERA, UQTR will contribute to and benefit from increased synergies and mutual learning with other leading research institutions across Europe. This collaboration exemplifies the spirit of Horizon Europe, fostering global cooperation to develop innovative solutions to some of the most pressing global challenges.

“We are delighted to confirm that EERA’s Executive Committee has enthusiastically approved the membership of Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières as a full member” announced Henk-Jan Vink, EERA’s president. “UQTR will join initially our Joint Programmes Bioenergy and Fuel Cells and Hydrogen. It is a collaboration which opens promising opportunities and we expect that it will foster enhanced synergies and mutual learning on the low-carbon energy research field between the institutions we represent on both sides of the Atlantic” explained Adel El Gammal, Secretary General of the association.

For its part, Christian Blanchette, rector of UQTR, stated that “UQTR's membership in EERA follows the agreement signed by the Canadian government to become an associated country of Horizon Europe. We are very proud to be the first transatlantic university member of EERA. This promising collaboration boosts the advancement and development of cutting-edge research in energy transition on a European and global scale, particularly in the two areas of common interest: hydrogen and bioenergy. We are very grateful to the team of Quebec Government Office in Brussels, thanks to them, the UQTR-EERA partnership link has been established.” 

Geneviève Brisson, Delegate General of Québec in Brussels, states that "Québec's Government Office in Brussels is proud to have endorsed, since the early talks, the accession of the University of Québec à Trois-Rivières to EERA that led to today's membership. This new addition to EERA’s network marks the firm commitment of Québec to diversify strategic partnerships with Europe while driving forward the internationalisation of its excellent research, education, mobility, and policy advocacy for a clean energy transition. This milestone clearly paves the way for stronger and deeper collaboration under the newly announced Association Agreement of Canada to Horizon Europe that will enhance innovation, economic competitivity and cutting-edge technology on both sides of the Atlantic.”

The proactive support and engagement of Québec’s Government Office in Brussels was instrumental in establishing and strengthening the partnership between the UQTR and EERA, underscoring the importance of diplomatic and governmental action in the global and European research landscape.

The association agreement between Canada and the EU for Horizon Europe was signed on 3 July in Montréal. This allows Canadian entities, including Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, to apply for and participate in Horizon Europe proposals as prospective beneficiaries. Consequently, UQTR's membership of EERA opens a multitude of potential collaborations within the framework of Horizon Europe's calls for proposals.