Australia’s accession to the world’s biggest research funding scheme appears all but assured, with the government expecting local researchers to be eligible for Horizon Europe grants from the beginning of 2027.

Industry and science minister Tim Ayres said the government had “formally concluded treaty negotiations” with the European Union and was “working to finalise arrangements as quickly as possible. This is a significant step in positioning Australia at the forefront of global research and development.”

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources said both sides would “now undertake their respective treaty-making procedures. This means Australia is on track to access the world’s largest pooled research funding programme for 2027.”

The European Commission said in a statement that Australia would associate to Pillar II of the framework, which funds projects designed to tackle societal challenges. Clusters include industry and space, climate, energy and food.

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Insiders in Australia are surprised at how quickly the negotiations have progressed since the government announced its intention to associate with Horizon Europe in March, having quietly abandoned talks almost three years earlier.

The Group of Eight (Go8) research-intensive universities helped sway the government by offering to contribute up to A$20 million (£10.5 million) of the expected A$40 million joining fee. The government allocated money to cover its share of the fee in the 12 May budget, redirecting other research and innovation funds.

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If the deal proceeds as indicated, Australian researchers will be able to participate directly in projects funded under the final year of the 2021-27 phase of Horizon Europe, which has a budget of €95.5 billion (£82.5 billion). The next phase, commencing in 2028, has been allocated €175 billion.

The Go8 said the developments would put Australia “in the room where the world’s biggest breakthroughs are happening”. Chief executive Vicki Thomson said the government had “done the hard work to reach this agreement. It shows a clear commitment to strengthening Australia’s global research engagement and backing our research system.”

Universities Australia said the progress represented a “major win” for Australian research, innovation and economic growth. “From clean energy and critical minerals to advanced manufacturing, health, digital technologies and artificial intelligence, Horizon Europe will connect Australian researchers to some of the biggest and most important research projects in the world,” said CEO Luke Sheehy.

“But it must be backed by new investment, so participation strengthens our research system rather than drawing resources away from it.”

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The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering said it was “heartening to see the process moving so quickly. [The progress] opens the door to new international collaborations, providing direct access to the 95 per cent of new knowledge generated beyond our borders,” said CEO Kylie Walker.

Ekaterina Zaharieva, the European commissioner for startups, research, and innovation, said the “future of science and technology depends on strong international partnerships, like the one between the EU and Australia”. 

“Together, we’ve already delivered breakthroughs such as the Square Kilometre Array, one of the world’s most advanced radio telescopes. By combining our strengths in industry, space, climate action, and the bioeconomy, we will drive the next generation of transformative innovations.”

john.ross@timeshighereducation.com