Which countries can participate in FP7?

Organisations and researchers from more than 100 countries all over the world are already involved in EU research programmes.

While FP7 participants can in principle be based anywhere, there are different categories of country which may have varying eligibility for different specific and work programmes.

Member states (MS) - The 27 countries of the European Union.

Associated Countries (AC) – with science and technology cooperation agreements that involved contributing to the framework programme budget. Comprises Switzerland, Israel, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, Turkey, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia, Albania and Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Faroe Islands.

Candidate Countries – currently recognised as candidates for future accession.

Third Countries - organisations or individuals in countries that are not Member States, candidates or associated countries. Includes a sub-group known as International Cooperation Partner Countries (ICPCs), which includes many developing countries.  Generally speaking ICPC countries’ participation will be funded if mentioned in particular topics or projects or if a good case can be made.

• View the list of ICPCs (PDF 39KB).

Other non ICPC third countries usually fund their participation, although exceptions may occasionally be made. 

Make sure you check the criteria for the call you are interested in as eligibility varies.

Further information on eligibility – including eligible consortia – is on the FP7 website.