This time, things moved quickly. The free trade agreement concluded in March had taken eight years of talks. The deal to join the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, by contrast, was finalised within a year.
Last Tuesday, the EU and Australia signed the agreement that will allow scientists working on the other side of the world to apply to Brussels for research funding from 2027.
Paying their own way
Specifically, Aussies will be allowed to join Horizon Europe projects under Pillar II of the EU’s research and innovation framework, for research aimed at global challenges and improving industrial competitiveness.
Through the Horizon Europe programme, the EU allocates around twelve billion euros in research funding each year. The bulk of the money goes to university researchers, but also supports research organisations and companies.
The multi-billion euro fund is a proven way of binding other countries more closely to the EU. The EU previously concluded deals with Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Canada and Egypt. And at the end of January, talks with India were announced. Any country that joins Horizon Europe must also pay to participate.
More US applications
Even US scientists are applying in large numbers for EU grants, it emerged last week. The Trump administration’s anti-science stance is prompting US researchers to look to the European Research Council (ERC) for support. The ERC received two to five times as many applications from the US as in previous years. With funding, applicants can come to Europe to conduct their research.
In this geopolitical competition for knowledge and talent, the European Commission is looking to raise the stakes. It proposes increasing the next seven-year budget from 94 billion to 175 billion euros. The proposal is currently under negotiation with the European Parliament and the Member States.