黑料老司机 Chief Executive Officer Luke Sheehy said it would open the door for Australian universities and researchers to tap into the world鈥檚 largest innovation program and lead major international projects.
鈥淭his is a big moment for Australia鈥檚 universities, researchers and industries,鈥 Mr Sheehy said.
鈥淚t puts us on a pathway to work more closely with Europe, tackling shared challenges and advancing cutting-edge research.
鈥淚n a more uncertain and competitive global environment, strong international partnerships are more important than ever to protect Australia鈥檚 interests and keep us at the forefront of discovery.
鈥淚nternational collaboration makes research stronger, and closer cooperation with Europe will supercharge Australia鈥檚 innovation effort.
鈥淗orizon Europe means more opportunities to partner with global leaders, access major funding and help build the industries that will power our future.
鈥満诹侠纤净 has long called for Horizon Europe access and today鈥檚 announcement delivers a pathway forward.
鈥淲e made the case in Brussels last year and kept the pressure on at home, and now Australia is moving toward association with Horizon Europe from 2027.
鈥淭his is exactly the kind of global partnership we鈥檝e been pushing for to power productivity, drive innovation and help deliver national priorities 鈥 from the clean energy transition, to building sovereign capability, to developing the cures and technologies that will improve lives.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been clear: if Australia wants to lift productivity and stay competitive, we need a seat at the table.
鈥淚mportantly, the benefits of Horizon Europe will flow well beyond universities. Innovation drives jobs, industries and productivity and economic growth.
鈥満诹侠纤净 will work with government and our members to ensure Australia moves quickly to secure full participation and maximise this opportunity.
鈥淲e also acknowledge the Group of Eight universities for their role in backing this opportunity, including through its pledge of funding to support Australia鈥檚 joining fee to Horizon Europe.
鈥淎s the government finalises access, it鈥檚 important that its investment is new funding, not repurposed from existing programs, so we grow Australia鈥檚 research capacity rather than stretch it further.鈥
