The European Union and Australia have signed an agreement allowing Australian researchers and organisations to participate in and lead collaborative projects under Horizon Europe Pillar II, opening new opportunities for international research cooperation.
The agreement was signed in Brussels by European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva and Australia’s Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science, Tim Ayres.
Australia will become the 24th associated country to Horizon Europe, which is the EU’s €93.5bn research and innovation programme for 2021–2027.
Australia’s association covers the €52.4bn Pillar II component of Horizon Europe, which supports collaborative research and innovation across key areas including health, climate, energy and digital technologies.
Speaking on the development, Zaharieva said: “We may be half a world apart, but we share a belief in science and in what people can achieve when they work together.
“This agreement brings our researchers and innovators closer, giving them more opportunities to share knowledge and put ideas to work. It is also a clear commitment to keeping international scientific cooperation open and strong, for the benefit of both our societies.”
New opportunities for Australian researchers
The agreement will give Australian researchers and organisations access to international research consortia and allow them to take leading roles in collaborative projects.
They will also be able to access funding on broadly equivalent terms to participants from EU member states.
Negotiations on Australia’s association to Horizon Europe Pillar II concluded in June 2026, paving the way for the formal agreement.
The development further expands Horizon Europe’s international research network, which already includes countries such as the UK, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Switzerland.
Australian organisations will also retain opportunities to participate in other parts of Horizon Europe that are open to non-EU countries.
These include the Excellent Science pillar, which covers Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, and the Innovative Europe pillar, subject to the eligibility requirements of individual funding calls.
Applications expected to open in January 2027
Transitional arrangements are expected to begin in January 2027, allowing Australian organisations to apply for Horizon Europe Pillar II funding calls and have their proposals evaluated as prospective beneficiaries.
The association process is expected to be formally completed by mid-2027, following parliamentary scrutiny in Australia.
The agreement is set to strengthen research ties between Europe and Australia, creating further opportunities for joint projects and international collaboration across strategically important research and innovation fields.
