Australia Explores Joining Horizon Europe for Research Boost
Australia is considering joining Horizon Europe, the EU's research and innovation funding program. Luke Sheehy, CEO of Australia's national science agency CSIRO, recently met with European Commission representatives and the Australian Ambassador to the EU in Brussels to discuss this possibility.
Currently, countries like Canada and New Zealand are already associated with Horizon Europe, while Australia is not. Joining would remove barriers for Australian researchers, allowing them to collaborate more easily with European and global counterparts.
Luke Sheehy believes this move would spark innovation, strengthen partnerships, and drive economic growth. He sees the resumption of Australia-EU trade talks as an opportunity to prioritize Horizon Europe access in negotiations. Association with Horizon Europe would provide Australian researchers access to a multi-billion-dollar fund, offering substantial funding for global partnerships to tackle complex global challenges.
Universities Australia has urged the federal government to join Horizon Europe. The investment required for Australia to join is modest compared to the potential benefits and access to billions in funding. Luke Sheehy warns that rising geopolitical tensions risk disrupting existing research alliances, emphasizing the need for Australia to maintain its competitive edge.
