In a significant move to bolster their research collaboration, Universities Canada and France Universités have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering strategic collaboration in science, technology and innovation. This partnership was announced during the international EAIE 2024 conference in Toulouse.
Gabriel Miller, president and CEO of Universities Canada, emphasized that this agreement will enable Canadian universities to collaborate across Europe to address pressing global challenges, including housing, productivity and social inequality. The agreement focuses on facilitating dialogue between French and Canadian universities, with a special emphasis on student mobility, research collaboration and security of science.
This partnership follows Canada’s inclusion as an associate partner of the Horizon Europe research program for 2021-2027, the EU’s key funding program for research and innovation, boasting a budget of €93.5 billion over six years. Canada joined Horizon Europe in July 2024, alongside 18 other non-EU countries involved in the program.
Guillaume Gellé, president of France Universités, highlighted that strengthening existing ties between institutions will lead to joint research projects addressing current and future challenges, benefiting students and researchers alike. Canada’s acceptance to Pillar II of Horizon Europe enables Canadian entities to join and lead research consortia, with opportunities for funding and contributing to Horizon’s budget.
Key Areas of Cooperation
- Health: Collaborative research projects tackling global health challenges
- Bioeconomy: Joint initiatives in food and agriculture
- Marine and Arctic: Research partnerships addressing marine and Arctic challenges
- Digital: Collaboration on artificial intelligence and quantum research
- Environment: Joint research on environmental issues and research infrastructures
Benefits for Canadian Researchers
- Participation in 155 Horizon projects, with over €6m in funding
- Opportunities to join and lead research consortia with existing members
- Connection with experienced Pillar II applicants across Europe
As stated by a Universities Canada spokesperson, this partnership aims to deepen cooperation and drive impactful research and innovation on a global scale. With this MoU, France and Canada are poised to make significant strides in addressing global challenges through collaborative research and innovation.
