Vicki Thomson, Chief Executive of the Group of Eight, comprising Australia’s leading research-intensive universities, highlights what engagement with Horizon Europe means for Australia’s research and innovation landscape
Australia is closer than ever to becoming a member of Horizon Europe, the world’s largest and most influential public research and innovation program. After many years of deep cooperation with our European partners, we are now at the formal cooperation stage. This moment is important. This is important not only because of what associations are broken, but also because of the cost of delay.
For the Australian research system, the question is no longer whether to collaborate with Europe; it is already. The question is whether to build that collaboration into a stable, long-term framework that allows Australian researchers, universities and industry to compete, lead and plan with confidence. For Group 8, Australia’s leading research-intensive university, the answer is clear. This is an opportunity Australia should seize immediately.
Australia and Europe: a long-standing relationship
Australia’s research relationship with Europe is mature and trusted. Australian researchers are embedded in European networks across health, engineering, clean energy, digital technology, climate science and defence-related research.
European institutions are among Australia’s most frequent collaborators, particularly on multidisciplinary, capital-intensive and globally focused projects. Our researchers bring scientific excellence, applied capabilities and strong connections to the Indo-Pacific region, assets that are actively sought by European partners.
What will the association bring?
But collaboration alone is no longer enough. As global research programs grow in size and sophistication, the countries that will benefit most will be those that formally participate within the system and shape the agenda, rather than adapting it from the outside. That’s why our engagement with Horizon Europe is so important and why timing is critical.
Horizon Europe is more than just a source of funding. It’s a framework for long-term collaboration, innovation, and impact.
Subnational status allows Australian researchers and institutions to:
Lead and coordinate major collaborative projects. Directly and predictably access your Horizon Europe funds. Fully participate in large-scale missions that address common global challenges. Build long-term research and industry partnerships with confidence.
In practical terms, association removes uncertainty. This allows researchers to plan, institutions to invest, and industry to engage early rather than tentatively.
Without an association, Australian participation would be possible but limited. Leadership roles are difficult to secure, funding is fragmented, and planning horizons are short. Over time, these frictions become important. The research ecosystem changes rapidly. Funding, partnerships and consortia are already being formed around the future Horizon Europe work programme.
Every year without the association is a year in which Australian researchers have to resort to workarounds such as parallel funding, informal arrangements or reduced roles. Over time, this risks undermining Australia’s position as a partner of choice.
Other countries understand this too. Many member states are moving decisively to secure their place within Horizon Europe, recognizing that early and full participation brings multiple benefits. In Australia’s case, delays cost it flexibility and leverage.
Expand connections and open doors
Although the heart of Horizon Europe is the university, the benefits of the association extend beyond the academy. Horizon Europe is intentionally designed to connect research with industry, government and end users. Participation opens the door to European supply chains, commercialization pathways and regulatory ecosystems that increasingly shape global markets.
For Australian industry, particularly in advanced manufacturing, energy, health technology, space, cyber and defense adjacent sectors, this partnership will enable deeper engagement with European partners at the early stages of innovation. This is critical to Australia’s broader economic resilience and sovereign capacity. Many of the challenges facing Australia are shared with Europe and are increasingly being addressed through coordinated research and innovation programs.
The association strengthens Australia’s ability to attract and retain research talent. For researchers, especially early and mid-career researchers, certainty is important. Being part of Horizon Europe shows Australia is open, connected and committed to large-scale international cooperation.
Additionally, competition for skilled researchers is high, making Australia a more attractive partner and destination for talent from around the world. Equally important, the association sends a message internationally that Australia views research and innovation as a strategic national asset and is prepared to address it at the highest level.
It is important to be clear about what relevance does and does not mean. Associate member status does not require Australia to relinquish control over its research systems or compromise national security. Participation is selective and consistent with the national interest. Australia has full control over its domestic laws, ethical standards and research security arrangements.
International cooperation and research safety are not competing priorities. When frameworks are clear and transparent, they are mutually reinforcing. Horizon Europe’s governance and security measures are well established and understood by partner countries.
Ready for more
Australia has invested heavily in building a world-class research system. This system is one of the country’s most powerful tools for economic growth, resilience, and global engagement. The partnership with Horizon Europe further expands that investment. This will enable Australia to work with trusted partners to do more with programs designed to have a large-scale impact. However, such opportunities have time limits. consortium form. The agenda has been set. The momentum will increase.
Australia is in a good position. Preparations are complete. What is important now is the shift from proximity to participation.
For Group 8, partnering with Horizon Europe is more than just a dream for the future. It is a strategic step, and its value depends on timely action. That’s why the G8 Executive Board supported this initiative and matched the Australian Government’s contribution to Horizon Europe’s participation fees. This is an investment in national capacity that reduces upfront costs for governments, leverages access to global pools of research funding, and maximizes system-wide benefits through collaboration, industry participation, and ripple effects across the research ecosystem.
The closer we get to the center of global research collaboration, the stronger Australia will be.
This article will also be published in the quarterly magazine issue 26.
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