Melbourne welcomes Horizon Europe association move

The University of Melbourne has welcomed the Australia–EU Free Trade Agreement, the establishment of an Australia–EU Security and Defence Partnership, and the commencement of negotiations to associate with Horizon Europe—the European Union’s flagship research and innovation funding programme.

Europe is the world’s largest producer of research and development and is both Australia’s and the University of Melbourne’s leading international R&D collaborator. Horizon Europe facilitates global collaboration and strengthens the impact of research and innovation in addressing major global challenges.

Australia and the University are well positioned to lead and participate in research consortia through Horizon Europe, building on strong networks of existing partnerships with research organisations and industries across Europe and other associate member countries.

Association with Horizon Europe would provide Australian institutions access to an international, cross‑sectoral R&D funding pool worth €155 billion. The University was pleased to submit a proposal to the Australian Government last year in support of association under Horizon Europe Pillar II.

The thematic research clusters within Pillar II align closely with Australia’s National Science and Research Priorities, the national innovation pillars outlined in the Ambitious Australia strategic examination of R&D, and the University’s developing Impact Accelerators, which include national security.