EU-Morocco PRIMA 2026 Agreement: R&D opportunities for Mediterranean companies

Key data

Spanish organizations working in Mediterranean research consortia have had a new eligible partner since October 2026: Morocco. The agreement OJ:L_202602218, published on October 5, 2026, amends the Scientific and Technological Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco to establish the specific conditions for Moroccan participation in PRIMA (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area).

For companies and research centers with active or planned projects under PRIMA, this is not a minor change: it expands the ecosystem of potential partners and can be decisive in meeting the transnational consortium requirements demanded by the program's calls.

What does this regulation establish?

The agreement is implemented through an exchange of notes —a diplomatic formula that allows for agile modification of an existing treaty— and aims to update the bilateral EU-Morocco legal framework in scientific matters to provide specific coverage for PRIMA.

The specific changes it introduces are as follows:

• The conditions of the pre-existing EU-Morocco Scientific and Technological Cooperation Agreement are modified and completed.
• The specific conditions under which the Kingdom of Morocco participates in PRIMA are established.
• Moroccan researchers and entities will be able to access PRIMA financing calls on equal terms with European partners.
• Morocco is recognized as an eligible associated country in transnational consortia under PRIMA.

PRIMA is an R&D+i financing program focused on the Mediterranean basin, with three major thematic areas:

Economic and operational impact

The direct impact of this regulation is not one of cost, but of opportunity to access financing. By incorporating Morocco as an eligible associated country in PRIMA, the range of valid partners for forming transnational consortia is expanded, which is a common requirement in the program's calls.

From an operational perspective, the implications are:

• Greater ease in meeting consortium requirements: many PRIMA calls require partners from at least two or three different countries. Morocco now counts as an associated country with full rights.
• Access to Moroccan research capabilities: universities and research centers in Morocco can provide local knowledge on water management and agriculture in arid contexts, directly relevant to PRIMA's objectives.
• New joint financing pathways: projects with Moroccan partners will be able to apply for financing from both the European and Moroccan sides within the PRIMA framework.
• No additional cost derived from the regulation: the modification does not impose new fees, quotas or economic obligations for Spanish entities.

Who does it affect?

• Spanish research centers and universities with active or planned projects under the PRIMA program.
• Agri-food sector companies with activity or interest in the Mediterranean basin that participate or wish to participate in R&D+i consortia.
• Water technology companies (treatment, water efficiency, irrigation) with projects in the Mediterranean area.
• Consultancies and European project management organizations that advise entities in preparing proposals for PRIMA calls.
• Foundations and public research organizations with lines of work in agricultural sustainability or Mediterranean food security.

Practical example

A Spanish efficient irrigation technology company is preparing a proposal for a PRIMA call on sustainable agriculture. Until now, its consortium included partners from Italy and Tunisia. With the new regulation, it can incorporate a Moroccan university specialized in water management in arid zones as an eligible partner with full rights of access to financing, without the need for special treatments or exceptions.

This allows it to: (1) strengthen the Mediterranean dimension of the consortium, (2) provide local knowledge on agricultural conditions in North Africa, and (3) potentially access co-financing from the Moroccan side of the PRIMA agreement. The result is a more competitive proposal before the program's evaluators.

What should companies do now?

1. Review consortia in preparation for PRIMA calls: if you have a proposal in progress or in the design phase, evaluate whether incorporating a Moroccan partner strengthens the technical proposal and better meets transnationality requirements.
2. Map potential partners in Morocco: identify Moroccan universities, research centers and companies relevant to the areas of water, food and sustainable agriculture that can add value to the consortium.
3. Update your Mediterranean R&D+i strategy: if your company has a roadmap of European projects, incorporate Morocco as an eligible associated country in the analysis of PRIMA opportunities.
4. Consult current PRIMA calls: verify on the official PRIMA portal the specific conditions of each open call and how the new conditions for Moroccan participation apply.
5. Inform your European project management team: ensure that those responsible for preparing proposals are aware of Morocco's new status as an eligible associated country under the conditions of agreement OJ:L_202602218.

Official source

Consult full regulation on official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202602218