Following the visit of President von der Leyen to Australia, the European Commission and Australia have today opened formal negotiations for the association to Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme.
Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation, said:
“With the EU–Australia agreements last week, we are moving quickly to bring our innovation ecosystems closer together. This will add to the growing list of likeminded countries that have chosen to join Horizon Europe, the world’s largest and most prestigious research programme.”
This step builds on the broader strengthening of EU–Australia relations, including progress on trade, security and defence, and reflects a shared ambition to deepen cooperation on the technologies and solutions that will shape future competitiveness and resilience.
From cooperation to scale
Australia already participates in more than 200 projects under Horizon Europe, with researchers and organisations actively contributing to collaborative efforts across a wide range of fields.
Association would allow Australian entities to access funding directly from the programme and to participate on similar terms with EU Member States and other associated countries. This would enable more ambitious, long-term collaboration between researchers, businesses and public institutions, while reducing administrative barriers and aligning efforts within a single framework.
Cooperation under Horizon Europe would also support joint work on shared priorities, including critical and emerging technologies, clean energy and climate, health, and resilient supply chains. By pooling expertise and resources, both sides aim to accelerate innovation and deliver tangible benefits for our economies and societies.
Background
Australia and the EU have a long history of productive research collaboration, with the Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation signed with Australia in 1994 (and amended in 1999).
Association to the EU’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation is the closest form of international cooperation in science and technology between the European Union and a non-EU country.
At present, 22 non-EU countries are associated with Horizon Europe: 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.
Beyond the associated countries, negotiations for association were successfully concluded with Japan. Exploratory talks have also concluded with India.
For the next long-term EU budget (2028-2034), the Commission is proposing to double Horizon’s budget to €175 billion.
More information
International cooperation with Australia in research and innovation
Speech by President von der Leyen at the Australian Parliament
Global Approach to Research and Innovation
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