As an established senior researcher in Australia with an impressive international reputation and a strong track record in leading EU Projects, what is your opinion on the prospect of an Australian association with Horizon Europe?
Australia must proceed with an association with Horizon Europe – this is simply not optional. As Australia navigates a pivotal moment in its transition toward a more diverse, low-carbon, and high-performing economy, building resilience and adaptability must be front and centre. Unlocking cross-sector and cross-border collaboration is key – and deepening strategic ties with Europe, particularly through Horizon Europe (the European Union’s key funding programme for research and innovation) and future programmes, which offer powerful pathways to shared innovation, sustainable growth, and long-term prosperity.
What do you see as the main benefits to Australia of an association agreement with Horizon Europe?
Joining Horizon Europe through an association agreement presents Australia with a high-value opportunity to amplify its global research impact through involvement in one of the world’s largest research and innovation funding programmes, opening up the pathway for Australian Researchers, Research Institutions, Companies and other Organisations to participate in the Horizon Europe programme on equal footing with EU counterparts.
The benefits are both strategic and tangible: New Zealand’s officials have publicly reported that a modest investment of $5m enabled their researchers to access $116m in Horizon Europe funding – a remarkable leverage effect that underscores the programme’s scale and reach.
Given the shifting global landscape, forging deeper ties with partners who share values and long-term vision — like the European Union — is not just strategic, it’s timely and urgent!
Beyond funding, Horizon Europe opens the door to enduring partnerships, linking Australia to a vibrant global network – uniting top scientists, advanced technologies, and industry leaders to address critical and complex challenges together.
The programme’s structure fosters deep engagement with industry, NGOs, and innovation hubs, creating powerful network multiplier effects and global connectedness.
Critically, Horizon Europe also opens new avenues for science diplomacy and evidence-informed policymaking, enabling Australia to engage with values-aligned partners in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. With Europe’s strong R&D investment and commitment to internationalisation, Australia can strengthen its research and innovation ecosystem, expand global partnerships, and offer students and researchers richer, cross-cultural experiences through joint programmes and shared research agendas.
Drawing on your experience as Chief Investigator and Academic Lead of four large-scale Horizon Europe projects, what do you consider the most tangible benefits for Australia in pursuing an association agreement?
Without a doubt, I can confidently state the return on investment is simply huge.
To fully realise the transformative potential of Horizon Europe and similar initiatives, institutions must invest in the capabilities that enable meaningful participation.
Allow me to give some context. Since I joined RMIT in 2017, I secured the first RMIT co-ordinated EU project, OpenInnoTrain — a research and innovation mobility project — and subsequently three additional large-scale, RMIT coordinated, ones: (EINST4INE – European Training Network for Industry Digital Transformation across Innovation Ecosystems; Driving Climate Positive Futures (also known as DREAM+PLAN), a Cofund which has recruited 35 PhD candidates at our European partner Universities, all undertaking an up to 12-month secondment to RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, with most of them also undertaking a double degree with both Institutions; and SMAR3TS (Staff Mobility to Action Resilient, Restorative, & Regenerative Transitions & Societies), a research and innovation mobility project.
Collectively, these four projects have received €12.4m of European funding and recognition. For example, OpenInnoTrain was recognised as one of the 130 projects of the European Year of Skills and received the Australian Business Deans Council Award for Innovation and Excellence in International Engagement (2024).
Through these projects, collaborative research training agreements have been established with nine AACSB accredited universities, as well as partnerships with 65 companies and over 30 academic institutions have been forged (i.e. partners in those projects).
To fully realise the transformative potential of Horizon Europe and similar initiatives, institutions must invest in the capabilities that enable meaningful participation. This means ensuring projects are not only aligned with strategic priorities but are also designed and led by Chief Investigators with deep research expertise – anchored in academic leadership and institutional commitment. Critically, success hinges on robust resourcing across both Europe and Australia. Without dedicated support on both sides, even the most promising collaborations risk falling short of their impact potential.
In your opinion, which Pillar within Horizon Europe should Australia focus on in the establishment of an association?
Whilst most countries begin their Horizon Europe association with a focus on Pillar II – Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness – limiting engagement to a single Pillar risks missing the full spectrum of opportunities the programme offers. A broader association across all three Pillars would better position Australia to build long-term research capacity, foster innovation, and amplify global impact. In my opinion, Switzerland’s recent association agreement with Horizon Europe (across all three Pillars) serves as the exemplar model.
Pillar I – Excellent Science – is foundational for capability uplift, enabling participation in large-scale, cross-continental research infrastructures and talent pipelines, including industry-engaged doctoral and postdoctoral programmes. Meanwhile, association with Pillar III – Innovative Europe – would unlock direct access to the European Innovation Council (EIC), a powerful mechanism for scaling breakthrough technologies. Tapping into this Pillar, especially in synergy with national initiatives, could catalyse research translation and commercialisation at a truly global scale.
Horizon Europe also opens new avenues for science diplomacy, enabling Australia to engage with values-aligned partners in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.
What, in your opinion, are the risks of Australia not associating with Horizon Europe?
Australia’s absence from Horizon Europe would risk strategic isolation at a time when global collaboration is critical to solve grand societal challenges. It would signal disengagement from one of the world’s largest and most dynamic research ecosystems – undermining our visibility, credibility, and competitiveness in the international R&D&I landscape. Such a move would not only diminish opportunities for Australian researchers but also weaken our ability to attract and retain top global talent. In an era defined by interconnected challenges and innovation-driven growth, turning inward is not a viable strategy.
Please note, this article will also appear in the 24th edition of our quarterly publication.
