Israel ‘vital candidates’ for Horizon 2020

The deputy head of unit for the southern neighbourhood in the European Commission’s DG Research and Innovation, Angela Liberatore, has told media that Israeli research institutions are vital candidates for Horizon 2020 since their success rates are higher than the European average.

She described “science diplomacy supporting the broader foreign policy of the EU,” adding that science and innovation are areas “in which the EU benefits from co-operating with Israeli entities, and Israeli entities benefit from strong co-operation with the EU”.

During FP7, Israel participated in 1,536 projects and received €782m in funding from the EU. While 21.1% of Israeli institutions applying for EU grants were accepted, the average application success rate for those in EU member states was 20.9%.

Liberatore added: “Israel’s success rate has been higher than the average success by EU member states. Israel has been a net beneficiary of the framework programme as it received more than what it contributed.”

Israel officially became a participant in Horizon 2020 in February, after coming to a compromise with the EU over certain guidelines. It was stipulated that that no funding would go to Israeli projects located beyond the pre-1967 armistice lines, which includes the West Bank, Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights. It was eventually decided that the two sides would “agreed to disagree.”

Liberatore stated that companies with offices both inside and outside the pre-1967 lines are able to join Horizon 2020, provided the projects receiving funding occur within the Green Line.