Submission to the Possible association to Horizon Europe: request for information

Association with Horizon Europe presents a timely and strategic opportunity to enhance Australia’s research capability, foster international collaboration, and expand commercialisation pathways. Horizon Europe is the European Union’s flagship collaborative research program and is anticipated to provide €93.5 billion in funding between 2021-2027. Participation would provide Australian researchers, industry and not-for-profits with access to substantial funding, established networks of high-quality international partners, and structured pathways for commercialisation. Association to Horizon Europe could enable Australia to contribute to and help shape global research, enhancing the visibility, impact, and influence of Australian research internationally. The Australian Government has a role to ensure that engagement with Horizon Europe complements Australia’s research priorities, strengthening both international collaboration and domestic innovation.

ATSE makes the following recommendations:

Recommendation 1: Pursue an association to Horizon Europe to strengthen international research partnerships and collaborations and increase national research impact and capability.

Recommendation 2: Establish adequate funding mechanisms to enable Australian researchers to fully participate in Horizon Europe projects, including application assistance and mobility programs.

Recommendation 3: Establish a government agency to coordinate and guide state, territory, and federal government research funding (including research infrastructure funding) to ensure its efficient and strategic use, including funding for Horizon Europe.

Recommendation 4: Support Australian researchers and firms to use Horizon Europe association to expand commercialisation opportunities by accessing larger markets, industry partners, and European innovation pathways.