The EU and Australia successfully conclude negotiations on Australia’s association to Horizon Europe, the EU's flagship €93.5 billion research and innovation funding programme.
Europe has been Australia’s leading scientific partner for over three decades, with joint research on climate science, health, digital technologies, and space.
Horizon Europe is the world’s largest research and innovation fund and is open to Australian researchers, offering unparalleled opportunities for collaboration, resources, and visibility.
Australia stands as an important strategic partner for the European Union. Both regions share priorities in climate, sustainability, health, and digital transitions, with a robust bilateral relations.
The foundation of this collaboration was laid in 1994 with the signing of the Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation.
From January 2027, under transitional arrangements, Australian entities will have direct, routine access to EU funding under Pillar II of Horizon Europe on equal terms with EU Member States.
INTERESTING FACT
Almost 18% of Australian academic publications now have an EU co-author, showing how central Europe is to Australian science and innovation.
Australia participates in the EU’s Galileo and Copernicus space programs.
Cooperation in space technologies includes applications in navigation, environment, and disaster response.
Australia participates in Erasmus+, the EU’s flagship education and mobility program.
Hundreds of students travel between Europe and Australia to study, teach, and conduct research.