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.”
Insiders 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.
