On Tuesday, 31 March, the European Union and Australia took a major step in their research and innovation (R&I) partnership by officially launching negotiations in preparation for the third country’s association with Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and development framework programme.
This announcement follows President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen’s recent visit to Australia (see EUROPE 13835/1). The EU and Australia are thus deepening their cooperation in the areas of cutting-edge technologies, climate solutions, health research, and resilient supply chains.
Australia already plays an active role in Horizon Europe, with researchers and organisations contributing to more than 200 projects in areas such as critical raw materials, clean energy, digital innovation, and health. Full association would enable Australian entities to access EU funding directly, to participate [in the programme] under terms that are similar to those for EU Member States, and to engage in long-term, large-scale collaborations with reduced administrative hurdles.
Twenty-two other third countries are associated with the framework programme. (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)