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Under the patronage of Dr. Abdel Aziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and in support of the state’s efforts to strengthen its international presence in the fields of scientific research and innovation, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, through the Office for European Cooperation in Research and Innovation, announces the opening of applications for National Contact Points (NCPs) for the European Union’s “Horizon Europe” Program.

This comes in light of the Arab Republic of Egypt joining the “Horizon Europe” Program as an associated country for the 2025–2027 period, enabling Egyptian institutions and entities to participate in the program’s various funding instruments and research and innovation activities on an equal footing with European Union member states, in accordance with the program’s rules and conditions.

Dr. Salma Yousri, Assistant Minister for International Cooperation, explained that completing the National Contact Points system represents an important strategic step toward enhancing the competitiveness of Egypt’s scientific research and innovation ecosystem, increasing opportunities to attract European funding, and deepening international cooperation in research, innovation, and technology transfer. She noted that National Contact Points are the official mechanism recognized by the European Commission for providing technical and advisory support to Egyptian researchers and institutions throughout all stages of participation in the program. Their role includes promoting funding opportunities, supporting international partnership building, providing technical and administrative guidance, and improving the quality of submitted research proposals, thereby increasing success rates in securing European funding.

Accordingly, the completion of the National Contact Points system will contribute to increasing the participation of Egyptian universities, research centers, and companies in the “Horizon Europe” Program, improving the quality of submitted proposals, and enhancing opportunities to obtain European funding. It will also support the state’s priorities in scientific research, innovation, and sustainable development, while promoting the integration of the private sector and startups within European innovation programs.

The process of completing and updating the National Contact Points system includes opening applications for several scientific, technological, and strategic clusters within the “Horizon Europe” Program, in areas aligned with Egypt’s national priorities. These include: health; culture, creativity, and inclusive society; digital transformation and artificial intelligence; energy and climate; food, agriculture, and water; innovation and entrepreneurship; research infrastructure; capacity building; and international cooperation. This aims to strengthen specialized national coverage, improve the quality of technical and strategic support provided to Egyptian researchers and institutions, and maximize national benefit from the program’s opportunities.

Experts selected for these positions will receive official assignments from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, along with opportunities for specialized international training, access to European National Contact Point networks, and participation in workshops and technical groups. This will strengthen Egypt’s strategic engagement within the European research and innovation ecosystem. The selection process will be conducted in accordance with the approved European standards governing National Contact Point systems.

It is worth noting that the Ministry previously launched the first phase of the National Contact Points system during past years across several key program areas. In light of Egypt’s accession as an associated country to the “Horizon Europe” Program, the Ministry is currently working to update, expand, and restructure the system according to the requirements of the new phase and the program’s priorities through a competitive process aimed at enhancing institutional integration, broadening the range of covered specializations, and ensuring the provision of high-quality technical and strategic support to Egypt’s research and innovation community.

The Ministry invites experts in the fields of scientific research, innovation, higher education, European Union programs, and innovation systems to apply for these important national assignments and contribute to supporting Egyptian researchers and institutions in benefiting from “Horizon Europe” opportunities and building strategic international partnerships.

The deadline for applications is June 7, 2026, at 12:00 PM Cairo time.

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