Welcome to the fourth volume of our Canada and Horizon Europe special focus publications, delving into the latest developments and projects fuelled by this world-leading research programme.
As Canada embarks on its newly formalised association with Horizon Europe, we are witnessing the dawn of a transformative partnership. This special focus publication examines this milestone from various angles, highlighting its impact on scientific collaboration, technological advancement, and policy alignment.
By engaging with Horizon Europe under its second pillar, Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Canadian researchers have embarked on a journey that transcends geographical boundaries to address the world’s most pressing challenges.
Canada and Horizon Europe: A partnership with a purpose
This special focus publication begins by exploring the roots of the Canada-EU strategic partnership, contextualising the historical ties that laid the groundwork for this collaborative endeavour. This agreement enables Canadian researchers, institutions, and industries to collaborate on equal terms with their European counterparts, fostering innovation across borders.
We hear from European Commission Spokesperson Thomas Regnier about how the inclusion of Canadian entities in Horizon Europe offers unparalleled opportunities for joint research on themes ranging from climate change and health to quantum technology and artificial intelligence.
Key features of this agreement include equitable participation for Canadian researchers and industries, enabling them to join and lead consortia addressing pivotal Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This article elaborates on how this collaboration is set to enhance research infrastructure, improve knowledge transfer, and promote shared innovation agendas.
What to expect
This volume comprehensively explores Canada’s multifaceted engagement with Horizon Europe, featuring insights and case studies that highlight innovation across industries and provinces. Here’s a closer look at the articles and stories awaiting you:
Strengthening regional innovation
Readers will discover how provinces like Québec and Saskatchewan leverage their unique strengths to collaborate with Horizon Europe. Marco Blouin, Director General Science and Partnerships, Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie, Québec government, discusses how Québec’s focus on emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum technologies is reshaping its research and industrial landscapes.
Elsewhere, The Saskatchewan Ministry of Trade and Export Development outlines how Saskatchewan, with its global expertise in agriculture and sustainability, is embracing the opportunities for clean technology and critical mineral research that Horizon Europe presents.
Showcasing institutional excellence
The publication shines a spotlight on some of Canada’s leading institutions and their transformative contributions:
- Université de Sherbrooke shares its groundbreaking interdisciplinary approaches to cancer research, emphasising the role of collaborative science in advancing detection and treatment techniques.
- Université Laval highlights its work in regenerative medicine, neuroscience, and genomics, offering compelling examples of how cutting-edge research platforms are translating ideas into real-world healthcare solutions.
- Discover how McGill University’s Antimicrobial Resistance Centre addresses global health threats, demonstrating the vital impact of Canadian expertise in international consortia.
Tackling global challenges together
Explore how Canadian organisations are taking a leadership role in addressing shared challenges:
- Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is highlighted as a major player in the global push for sustainable ocean innovation. From tackling marine pollution to advancing renewable energy solutions, its work resonates strongly with Horizon Europe’s environmental goals.
- Find out how Ontario’s research institutions are focusing on freshwater innovation to combat issues like microplastics and water quality, which are vital for addressing climate resilience.
- Learn the ways in which Newfoundland and Labrador’s burgeoning research ecosystem is bringing innovative solutions to the energy transition.
Supporting the Next Generation of Researchers
The Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) is featured for its efforts to nurture emerging talent through scholarships, intersectoral initiatives, and global partnerships. Explore how initiatives like the Québec Research Fund are fostering collaborations that advance both academic excellence and industry innovation.
These are just a selection of the more than 20 insightful articles you can expect to read in this volume of our Canada and Horizon Europe special focus publications .
A look ahead: The horizon beyond Horizon Europe
As Canada integrates deeper into the Horizon Europe framework, the potential for groundbreaking advancements across disciplines becomes evident. This publication not only celebrates existing achievements but also encourages readers to envision the possibilities ahead.
With collaborative research at its core, the partnership between Canada and Horizon Europe offers a roadmap for addressing complex global issues with creative, scalable solutions.
Whether you are a policymaker, researcher, or enthusiast of global innovation, this publication serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding the dynamics of Canada’s collaboration with Horizon Europe.
We hope it inspires thought, ignites dialogue, and fosters more such partnerships to transform aspirations into actionable impact.
