Egypt has officially joined the European Union’s flagship scientific program, Horizon Europe, becoming the second African nation granted the right to compete for research grants on equal terms with European scientists. The European Commission hailed this event as an important step toward strengthening international scientific cooperation, though the decision sparked a wave of criticism. Experts emphasize that involving a country with a troubled human rights record contradicts the program’s commitment to promoting academic freedom. Human rights advocates point to cases of persecution against scholars in Egypt, while supporters of the agreement see it as an opportunity to enhance protections for researchers and bring Egypt’s scientific standards closer to those of the EU.

Despite assurances from Egyptian officials that “scientists are free in their work,” international indicators suggest otherwise: according to the Academic Freedom Index, in 2024 Egypt ranked among the bottom 10% of countries in terms of academic freedom—alongside China, Iran, and North Korea. Critics warn that Egypt’s participation in Horizon Europe could lead to European funds being used for projects that strengthen state control and surveillance. Meanwhile, European Commission representatives argue that scientific cooperation can serve as a “bridge of science diplomacy,” gradually aligning Egyptian institutions with European values and the principles of open science.

Source https://www.science.org/content/article/egypt-joins-europe-s-flagship-science-program-raising-academic-freedom-concerns

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