The European Commission and Australia have successfully concluded negotiations on Australia’s association with Horizon Europe, the EU's flagship €93.5 billion research and innovation funding programme.
Australia stands as an important strategic partner for the European Union, with a robust bilateral relationship implemented over the past three decades. The foundation of this collaboration was laid in 1994 with the signing of the Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation. The country will associate with Pillar II of Horizon Europe, which addresses societal challenges in the digital, industry and space; climate, energy and mobility; and food, bioeconomy and agriculture fields.
Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation, said:
"We can tackle the challenges of tomorrow only together. That is why the future of science and technology depends on strong international partnerships, like the one between the EU and Australia. Together, we’ve already delivered breakthroughs such as the Square Kilometre Array, one of the world’s most advanced radio telescopes. By combining our strengths in industry, space, climate action, and the bioeconomy, we will drive the next generation of transformative innovations."
This milestone formalises an already thriving scientific partnership
To date, under Horizon Europe, Australian organisations have participated in 239 projects. Highlighting the world-class calibre and exceptional quality of its research ecosystem, nearly one in four individual applications from Australia is selected for participation in the programme, resulting in an impressive 24.39% success rate.
From January 2027, under a transitional arrangement, Australian entities will transition from third-country rules - where they typically had to self-fund or rely on narrow exceptions for funding - to being treated as 'eligible entities' from an associated country. This will grant them direct, routine access to EU funding under Pillar II on equal terms with EU Member States, such as allowing them to lead project consortia.
At present, 22 non-EU countries are associated with Horizon Europe
These countries include Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Egypt, the Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Korea, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Türkiye, Tunisia, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
Negotiations for association were successfully concluded with Japan and Australia.
Exploratory talks concluded with India.
Source: European Commission