Horizon Europe Implementation Discussion Paper [419KB PDF]
Overview
Horizon Europe is the European Union’s (EU) flagship research and innovation program, worth approximately A$155 billion (EUR 95.5 billion) over a 7-year cycle.
Australia and the European Union concluded negotiations on 9 June 2026 and are completing their respective treaty making processes. Australian entities can apply for funding under Pillar II of Framework Program 9 (FP9) from 1 January 2027.
Our department is now consulting stakeholders to ensure implementation arrangements are fit for purpose and maximise opportunities for Australian applicants.
We have prepared a discussion paper, already shaped by feedback we received through public consultation on possible association to Horizon Europe between September 2025 and March 2026.
Our discussion paper focusses on the practical structures, supports and coordination mechanisms needed to maximise the benefits of association for Australia.
This includes:
a national contact point (NCP) network
how to align research applications with national priorities.
We are seeking input on the value of these activities and how we could carry them out, noting that we will need to be flexible depending on available resources.
We would like to hear from Australian entities, including:
universities
research centres
small and medium enterprises
industry
academia
learned academies
peak bodies
federal, state and territory government agencies.
We are seeking submissions over a 4-week period. This will allow us enough time to consider, decide and establish activities to support Australian entities to apply for Horizon Europe funding from 1 January 2027.