Research and development (R&D) is vital for economic growth, and external funding is crucial for developing countries like Egypt to compete globally. The European Union (EU) Framework Programs (FPs) offer significant funding opportunities, but challenges in accessing these funds remain underexplored for countries like Egypt. This study examines Egypt's participation in EU FP funding, focusing on the challenges faced by academic institutions and areas for improvement. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines an analysis of funding distribution with a survey of Egyptian faculty who have applied or expressed interest in EU FP funding. The findings show that Egypt's share of EU FP funding is modest, with a low success rate in securing projects. Key barriers include limited institutional support and a need for better project management skills. Opportunities for improvement include establishing grant support offices in universities and introducing internal grants for pilot projects. The study concludes that national and institutional efforts are essential to improve Egypt's success in securing EU research funding. Recommendations include creating support offices, increasing resource visibility, and offering internal grants to enhance international collaborations and boost Egypt's research ecosystem.