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 Open Internet Stack (OIS), NGI and NGI Zero.
What constitutes a European dimension?
The European dimension refers to the people contributing to the project, not the project itself. The obvious way to fulfil this requirement is having people on the team of the proposed project from Horizon Europe-eligible countries, who receive at least 60% of the funds. The project itself being beneficial to the EU is not enough to constitute 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 Open Internet Stack, NGI and NGI Zero. 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?
OIS, NGI and NGI0 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 13, 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 (Horizon Europe)
People and organisations of these countries can participate on the same terms as those from EU member states.
- Albania, Armenia, Australia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Canada
- Egypt
- Faroe Islands
- Georgia
- Iceland, Israel
- Japan
- Kosovo
- Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco
- New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway
- Republic of Korea,
- Serbia, Switzerland
- Tunisia, Türkiye
- Ukraine, United Kingdom
Other third countries eligible for funding
People and organisations of these countries can participate on the same terms as those from EU member states.
- 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, 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
− Yemen Republic
− Zambia, Zimbabwe
EU Overseas Countries and Territories
People and organisations of these countries can participate on the same terms as those from EU member states.
- 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.
