The Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology signs MOU with Eurecat to boost joint research and researcher exchanges

Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology President Park Sun-gyu and Eurecat President Xavier Lopez pose for a photo after signing an MOU in Barcelona, Spain. [Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology]
Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology President Park Sun-gyu and Eurecat President Xavier Lopez pose for a photo after signing an MOU in Barcelona, Spain. [Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology]

The Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT) has partnered with a leading Spanish science and technology research institution to expand its participation in Horizon Europe, the EU's flagship research and innovation program.

KICT signed an MOU with Eurecat in Barcelona, Spain, on Monday (local time) to strengthen international joint research and researcher exchanges, the institute announced Tuesday.

Eurecat is Spain's second-largest science and technology research institution, conducting work across a range of fields — including AI, biotech, environmental science and industrial automation — from research and development through to commercial application.

KICT has maintained a cooperative relationship with Eurecat since 2021, dispatching researchers to the Spanish institution and carrying out joint research projects over a two-year period.

The centerpiece of the new agreement is deepening joint research collaboration under Horizon Europe, the EU's primary research and innovation support program.

The groundwork for broader cooperation with European research institutions was also laid earlier this year, when a research project led by Choi Jun-seok of KICT's Environmental Research Division was selected for a Horizon Europe project.

The two institutions plan to use KICT's European Research Office as a hub for identifying and securing international joint research projects, as well as recruiting and exchanging top research talent.

KICT President Park Sun-gyu and Eurecat President Xavier Lopez attended the signing ceremony. Researchers and international cooperation officials from both sides discussed follow-up collaboration plans and toured key research facilities.

"We are continuously expanding cooperation with Europe across a wide range of areas, including recruiting top researchers and securing and conducting joint research projects," Park said. "Through this agreement, we will invigorate our participation in international joint research programs such as Horizon Europe and strengthen our competitiveness as a global research institution."


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