European dimension
For some of our funds, a strong European dimension is an eligibility criterium. This goes for all programmes funded by the European Commission. The European dimension is a requirement for all programmes within NGI, NGI Zero and Open Internet Stack (IOS).
What constitutes a European dimension?
The European dimension refers to the people contributing to the project, not the project itself. Having people on the team of the proposed project from the EU member states or eligible third countries, is an obvious and logical way to fulfil that requirement. (Note that there are many eligible third countries, see the lists below.) The project itself being beneficial to the EU is not enough to constitue a European dimension.
More information
We've answered many questions about the European dimension in our monthly Office Hour. The Q&As on the EU dimension are archived, so have a look there if you have questions. If you are still unsure, come to our monthly Office Hour to ask your question.
Which funds require a European dimension
All programmes financed by the European Commission require a European dimension, because they are paid for by European tax payers. These include programmes within NGI, NGI Zero and Open Internet Stack. If you are unsure whether the fund you want to apply to has a European dimension criterium, check its Guide for Applicants.
Which countries constitute a European dimension?
NGI, NGI0 and OIS funds are funded from the Horizon Europe research budget, therefore countries associated to Horizon Europe are included. People and organisations of these countries can participate on the same terms as those from EU member states.
The European Commission (EC) provides a list of associated and other countries eligible for Horizon Europe funding. There is also a list of eligible Overseas Countries and Territories. We have copied the countries in the list below for convenience, last updated on October 5, 2026. However, in case of discrepancies, the EC lists are leading.
EU member states
- Austria
- Belgium, Bulgaria
- Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia - Finland, France
- Germany, Greece,
- Hungary
- Ireland, Italy
- Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland, Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
Associated countries
- Albania, Armenia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Canada
- Egypt
- Faroe Islands
- Georgia
- Iceland, Israel
- Japan
- Kosovo
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway
- Republic of Korea,
- Serbia, Switzerland
Other third countries eligible for funding
- Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Azerbaijan
− Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi
− Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo (Republic), Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba
− Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic
− Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia
− Fiji
− Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana
− Haiti, Honduras
− Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic), Iraq
− Jamaica, Jordan
− Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (Democratic People's Republic), Kyrgyz Republic
− Lao (People’s Democratic Republic), Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya
− Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia (Federated States), Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar
− Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria
− Pakistan, Palestine8, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines
− Rwanda
− Samoa, São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic
− Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, , Turkmenistan, Tuvalu
− Uganda, Uzbekistan
− Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic), Vietnam
Overseas Countries and Territories
- Aruba
- Bonaire
- Curaçao
- French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Territories
- Greenland
- New Caledonia
- Saba, Saint Barthélemy, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, St. Pierre et Miquelon
- Wallis et Futuna Islands
If you still have questions, check out the FAQs or pose your question during our monthly Office Hour.
