EU and Australia open exploratory talks on association to Horizon Europe

EU and Australia open exploratory talks on association to Horizon Europe

The European Commission and the Australian Government have launched non-binding exploratory discussions in view of Australia's possible association to Horizon Europe, the EU's €95.5 billion flagship research and innovation programme. These technical discussions will examine the details and principles of a possible association agreement and lay the foundations for potential negotiations.

Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation, said:

Horizon Europe drives breakthroughs at a scale nobody can achieve alone. Association would enable Australia to take part directly in that effort and contribute its scientific excellence to global challenges.

EU Ambassador to Australia, Gabriele Visentin, said:

I welcome Australia's decision to engage in exploratory talks on Horizon Europe, the EU's €95.5 billion flagship research and innovation program. For more than 30 years, the EU and Australia have teamed up in the collective pursuit of knowledge and discovery. Discussions to expand our existing collaboration is a positive step forward in our ongoing partnership.

R&I cooperation with Australia

Australia and the EU have a long history of productive research collaboration: the first treaty-level science and technology agreement signed by the EU with an industrialised country was the Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation signed with Australia in 1994 (and amended in 1999).

Bilateral research collaboration priorities are set, and cooperation is monitored under this Agreement at Australia-EU Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee (JSTCC) meetings. The last meeting took place in Brussels on 11 April 2024.

Background

Association to the EU's Framework Programme for Research and Innovation is the closest form of international cooperation in science and technology between the Union and a non-EU country. To date 20 non-EU countries are associated to Horizon Europe.

International cooperation in research and innovation is a strategic priority for the Commission. The association policy supports the 'Global Approach to Research and Innovation' and reconfirms Europe's commitment to a level of global openness needed to drive excellence, pool resources for faster scientific progress and develop vibrant innovation ecosystems.

More information

• International cooperation with Australia in research and innovation

• Association to Horizon Europe