Australia is a step closer to joining the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program after the Federal Government confirmed treaty negotiations had formally concluded.
The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering welcomed the announcement, describing it as a major opportunity for researchers and industry collaboration.
Horizon Europe is the EU’s flagship research and innovation program, with a budget of more than €95 billion. It funds work across areas including climate adaptation, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, space and advanced computing.
Professor Kylie Walker, chief executive of ATSE, said membership would give Australian researchers access to international grant funding and partnerships.
“Australia is now one very important step closer to formally joining Horizon Europe, which is great to see,” Professor Walker said.
“Joining Horizon Europe gives Australia’s world-class researchers access to grant funding and opens the door to new international collaborations, providing direct access to the 95% of new knowledge generated beyond our borders.”
The government has indicated it aims to complete the process in time for Australians to apply for Horizon Europe grants from early 2027.
At ATSE’s CAETS 2025 symposium in Brisbane last September, science minister Tim Ayres announced Australia was exploring association with the program. Negotiations were later confirmed in the 2026-27 Federal Budget.
Professor Walker said the timeline had moved quickly since that announcement.
“And it’s heartening to see the process moving so quickly, after Minister Ayres announced that this was a possibility at ATSE’s CAETS international symposium just nine months ago,” she said.
Australia is expected to participate in Pillar II of Horizon Europe, which supports collaborative research on global challenges and industrial competitiveness.
Professor Walker said this would allow Australia to work internationally on priorities including critical minerals, space and advanced computing.
“It means more jobs and opportunities for our talented researchers here at home, placing Australia alongside other non-EU nations like Canada and New Zealand who are already active members of Horizon Europe,” she said.
Research organisations have long argued that joining Horizon Europe would strengthen Australia’s innovation system by improving access to global expertise, infrastructure and funding networks.
