The European Union and Australia have concluded negotiations on Australia’s association to Horizon Europe, marking an important step towards deeper research and innovation cooperation.
What is expected to change?
Australia is set to associate with Pillar II of Horizon Europe, covering collaborative research and innovation in digital technologies, industry and space; climate, energy and mobility; and food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment.
Under the announced transitional arrangement, Australian entities are expected to be treated as eligible entities from an associated country from January 2027. This would replace the usual third-country position—under which Australian participants generally need to provide their own funding or rely on limited exceptions—with routine access to EU funding under eligible Pillar II topics.
What this means for European consortia
Eligible Australian universities, research organisations, companies and other entities could participate on conditions comparable to organisations established in EU Member States and other associated countries. They would also be able to coordinate consortia where the individual topic conditions permit it.
This creates new opportunities to combine European and Australian expertise in areas such as space, climate action, advanced industry, digital technologies and the bioeconomy. Australia already has a substantial presence in Horizon Europe: the Commission reported participation by Australian organisations in 239 projects before association.
Negotiations have concluded, but applicants must still verify the applicable date, transitional arrangements and topic-specific eligibility conditions in the official call documents and Funding & Tenders Portal.
Building the right partnership
Association does not by itself make an Australian partner strategically necessary. A strong consortium must still demonstrate a clear contribution to the project’s objectives, complementary expertise, credible resources and an appropriate role in implementation and impact.
Proposal teams planning 2027 applications can begin mapping relevant Australian capabilities, while avoiding commitments until the official participation conditions for the selected topic have been confirmed.
Official source
This EXELIXIS briefing is an original summary based on official European Commission information. Official association arrangements and topic conditions prevail.