About Horizon Europe 

Horizon Europe is the European Union’s (EU) flagship research and innovation program, worth approximately A$155 billion (EUR 95.5 billion). 

Horizon Europe works on a 7-year cycle. Framework Program 9 (FP9) is the current version, running from 2021-2027.

The EU invites select non-European Union members to associate via a treaty level agreement. Associated countries pay to participate via an annual financial contribution. This funds their research entities’ participation in project calls.

More than 20 countries have associated to Horizon Europe, including Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom. They have all seen a significant return on investment.

We currently participate in Horizon Europe as a Third Country participant. Under this arrangement, Australian researchers and entities must fund their own participation. 

Australia’s plans for association

Australia is on track to become an Associated Country in 2027, the final year of FP9. 

Association to Horizon Europe requires a treaty-level agreement.

Read more about the key milestones toward association below.

What association gives Australia

Association will provide Australian researchers and research entities access to Pillar II of the 2027 FP9 Horizon Europe funding calls. Pillar II is worth over EUR 53.5 billion of funding.

Changing Australia’s status from a Third Country to an Associated Country will:

  • fund successful Australian applicants for collaborative research projects
  • allow researchers, entities and industry participants to lead projects and build consortia
  • unlock project-based access to global research infrastructure 
  • help keep intellectual property and talent in Australia.

Pillar II facilitates joint research to tackle global challenges and strengthen industrial competitiveness, across shared priority areas including: 

  • supply chain security
  • critical technologies
  • advanced computing
  • climate and clean energy
  • health
  • space
  • critical minerals.

These priority areas align with our National Science and Research Priorities. Advancements will drive productivity and help deliver a Future Made in Australia by connecting Australians with large-scale research that will accelerate innovation and economic growth. 

The large pool of funding available through Horizon Europe will allow research projects at a scale that would be difficult for Australia to achieve alone.

We expect the benefits to the Australian economy to flow progressively through:

  • deepening strategic international partnerships 
  • expanding participation in large-scale international projects
  • strengthening research networks.

Over time, these partnerships can deliver impactful economic, social and innovation benefits for Australia.

Key milestones and timing

Australia has concluded treaty negotiations with the European Commission, an important step toward association to FP9 for 2027. Australia and the European Commission will now complete their respective treaty-making processes.

You can read more about where we are up to in the process and when Australians can apply for funding below. 

  • Exploratory talks

    The Australian Government announced on 10 September 2025 that it would start non-binding exploratory talks with the European Commission on associating to Horizon Europe.

  • Consultation during exploratory talks

    Our department consulted with researchers, industry and across government during exploratory talks to inform its position.

  • Start of treaty negotiations

    The Australian Government and the European Commission announced treaty negotiations on 24 March 2026 on Australia’s planned association to Horizon Europe FP9 for 2027.

  • Conclusion of treaty negotiations

    The Australian Government and the European Commission concluded treaty negotiations on 9 June 2026. Australia and the EC will continue their respective treaty-making processes. 

    The next steps include:

    • approval for signing by Australia’s Federal Executive Council (ExCo)
    • tabling in both Houses of Parliament for consideration by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT).

  • Applying to Horizon Europe

    Subject to the treaty-making process, Australian researchers and entities will be able to apply for Horizon Europe grants for the last year of the current program (FP9) from January 2027. 

    All Australian entities will have an equal opportunity to apply. Success is measured by the same criteria for all applicants.

    We encourage researchers to:

    • start thinking about how their research aligns with the priorities in Pillar II of Horizon Europe
    • engage with potential research partners.


    You can find partners on the EU website or on EURAXESS Australia & New Zealand.

    Applying from 1 January 2027 is under ‘transitional arrangements’. The European Commission uses this term to describe a time when researchers and entities can apply to Horizon Europe projects as an associated country before treaty processes have concluded. This is a standard arrangement that several associated countries have used during their association process.

    After transitional arrangements, the next phase will be ‘provisional application’. The European Commission uses this term to describe the period between when Australia’s domestic procedures have been completed but before the treaty enters into force. This is because the European Council must conclude the agreement via a final decision (which can take years) before the treaty enters into force.

    In practice, provisional application marks the formal legal start of association. It means that entities can enter into grant agreements with the European Commission.

  • Implementation

    Our department will consult and work with stakeholders to ensure implementation is fit for purpose and maximises opportunities for Australian applicants. 

    We will publish more details soon on our consultation process and how you can be involved.

What association will cost

The 2026-27 Budget included support for Australia’s association to Horizon Europe, as part of a broader agenda to lift productivity and long-term economic growth. This was subject to completing our treaty process.

The cost of association will be available when the treaty is tabled to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT). This is a normal part of Australia’s treaty-making process.

The Group of Eight universities will also support Australia’s association to Horizon Europe’s FP9 program.

What projects Australian researchers can apply for

Australians will be able to apply for large-scale collaborative projects under Pillar 2 of Horizon Europe. Examples of previous projects include:

  • high-performance computing and AI-enabled research supported through EuroHPC
  • Hydrogen Valley projects for clean hydrogen production, storage and industrial use
  • multinational clinical research and prevention projects under the EU Cancer Mission
  • developing sustainable sourcing, processing and recycling of critical minerals through EIT Raw Materials projects
  • Destination Earth activities developing advanced digital twins to support climate modelling, disaster-risk reduction and environmental resilience
  • creating climate-neutral carbon capture, purification and use solutions with Processes4Planet.

The European Commission’s 2026–2027 Work Programme (adopted December 2025) is available on their website. They update it on a rolling basis, with new opportunities for 2027 opening from late 2026 and closing through to late 2027.

Learn more about the kinds of opportunities Horizon Europe offers on the EC website.

Latest news

More information

Learn more about Australia’s international collaboration on science and research
Learn more about the strategic examination of our research and development system
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