The Enterprise Europe Network announces:
November 12, 2026
The European Union and Australia have signed a groundbreaking agreement that enables Australian researchers and organizations to participate in and lead projects under Horizon Europe on an equal footing. Key areas of focus include health, climate, energy, and digital technologies.
The agreement on Australia’s association with Pillar II of Horizon Europe was signed on November 12, 2026, in Brussels. This pillar supports international collaborative research projects and has a budget of 52.4 billion euros.
In the future, Australian institutions will be able to join and lead international consortia. They will also gain access to funding under certain conditions, on terms similar to those of their EU partners.
Transitional arrangements are intended to allow Australian institutions to apply for Pillar II calls for proposals and be evaluated as potential project partners as early as January 2027. The formal conclusion of the association process is expected in mid-2027, following parliamentary review in Australia.
Horizon Europe is the EU’s research and innovation program for the period 2021–2027 and has a total budget of 93.5 billion euros. Australia will be the 24th country to be associated with the program.
Source: European Commission
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