The nation's science, technology, engineering and mathematics sector has welcomed the Government's announcement that that it will begin discussions on joining Horizon Europe.
Horizon Europe is the world's biggest research funding program, valued at around $170 billion. This European Union program allows non-EU countries to associate - giving them access to the program's multi-billion-dollar project funding pool, in exchange for a budget contribution.
The Government's decision to begin explanatory discussions on joining Horizon Europe was announced by the Minister for Science, Senator Tim Ayres.
"Joining Horizon Europe could accelerate Australia's international research collaboration, bring in significant research funding, enable Australian business partnerships and help to insulate us from wider geopolitical changes," said STA President Sharath Sriram.
"Other countries in our region, including New Zealand and South Korea, have signed up to the program to support their research activity and global collaboration."
"Funding and collaborations through Horizon Europe could powerfully boost our domestic research and development, by driving innovation, products and jobs our future economy needs - and Australia's world-class researchers are ideally placed to make valuable contributions to several of Horizon Europe's focus areas."
"Joining would increase our ability to lead international teams working on grand challenges. It would also integrate us better with European industry, who are core Australian partners in national priority areas of health and energy technologies."
"It would be a win-win for global research collaborations - and impact."
Science & Technology Australia has long called for the country to sign up as a member of the program.
"Australia has to do more to lift its national research and development and power innovation - and joining Horizon Europe would be an important step towards that," said Professor Sriram.
"On behalf of the 235,000 scientists and technologists we represent, we welcome the Minister's announcement and look forward to engaging with the Government as we continue to advocate for the country to be part of this important program."
