Key facts
- Australia joins Pillar II of Horizon Europe, which funds advanced computing, critical minerals, health, climate and clean energy research.
- From January, Australian organizations will be eligible for funding on the same terms as EU countries and can lead project consortia.
- Ayres said the move is a "boon for Australian science, research and innovation" and that global challenges cannot be solved by one country alone.
Australia's Industry Minister Tim Ayres formally signed the country up to Horizon Europe in Brussels on November 12, 2026, giving Australian researchers access to the EU's €95 billion research and innovation program.
Australia will join Pillar II of the program, which funds research into areas including advanced computing technology, critical minerals, health, climate and clean energy. From January, Australian organizations will be eligible for funding on the same terms as EU countries and will be able to lead project consortia.
Ayres said in a statement that the move would be a "boon for Australian science, research and innovation," adding that "the big challenges facing Australia and the world cannot be solved by any one country working alone."
The signing formalizes negotiations concluded in June. Australian organizations have already taken part in 239 Horizon Europe projects, with nearly one in four applications selected, according to the European Commission.