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Kosovo participates in the EU Research and Innovation programmes since 2007 and became fully associated member to Horizon Europe in January 2021. It continues to gradually strengthen its engagement with the Horizon Europe Programme, supported by increased capacity-building efforts, institutional development, and participation in European research networks.
Under Horizon Europe, Kosovo is most successful in cluster 3 (Culture, creativity and inclusive society) and in cluster 1 (Health). Active participation in COST actions supports the establishment of scientific networks.
Horizon Europe key figures for Kosovo
Since its association to Horizon Europe, 179 applications have been submitted by Kosovo’s institutions and researchers. Out of these, 138 proposals were assessed as eligible, while 15 projects have been funded. Although below the EU average, Kosovo’s performance is comparable to several Western Balkan economies and reflects a steady improvement in proposal quality and institutional readiness.
Kosovo participated in the third meeting of the Joint Research and Innovation Committee under Horizon Europe, held in Brussels on 6 November 2025, where officials reviewed cooperation in research and innovation. While the EU side outlined new priorities centred on startups, competitiveness and better use of research results, which will shape the 2026–2027 work programme and the next EU research framework. Kosovo presented updates on its National Science Programme and preparations for an Innovation Strategy 2030+.
Discussions also addressed Kosovo’s participation in Horizon Europe, with both sides exploring ways to increase involvement of local researchers. Opportunities under upcoming calls — including WIDERA, COST, and schemes of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology and the European Innovation Council — were highlighted, alongside the need to adopt the Smart Specialisation Strategy and improve data reporting for future European Innovation Scoreboard assessments.
Over the past year, multiple capacity-building activities have been organised in Kosovo by initiatives such as POLICY ANSWERS, SHER, and ResearchCult, training more than 100 researchers and institutional staff in proposal writing, consortium building, project management, and Horizon Europe rules. These efforts aim to strengthen both the quantity and quality of applications, as well as institutional research support systems.
Looking ahead, further improvements in national coordination, research management capacities, and targeted funding instruments are expected to enhance Kosovo’s participation. The adoption of the new Law on Research and Innovation, alongside continued investments in training and international partnerships, will be critical for accelerating Kosovo’s integration into the European Research Area.