UNSW Sydney, the University of Stuttgart and the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO, a leading institute in Europe's largest applied research organisation, have signed a Letter of Intent to forge closer research ties between Australia and Germany, an early sign of what Horizon Europe could deliver for Australian innovation and productivity.
The announcement comes as Australia signs its agreement with Horizon Europe in Brussels. Horizon Europe is the European Union's flagship research and innovation funding program, worth $155 billion. Australia's association will allow Australian researchers and organisations to receive funding and take part in global research projects and industry partnerships.
In Stuttgart for the announcement, UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs said partnering with the broader global research effort will be enormously beneficial to the nation's interests.
"Australia produces about 3 per cent of the world's research and innovation, which means we must connect with the other 97 per cent. This enables us to ensure the benefits of the technological revolutions sweeping the globe can be harnessed for the benefit of everyday Australians, bringing prosperity, increased wellbeing and opportunity, said Professor Brungs.
"Innovation is the only lever we have to tackle cost-of-living challenges and societal issues, and to create new and vibrant industries. Europe, and partnerships like this one, let us do the research here and connect it to the world."
"Horizon Europe offers immense opportunities for universities like UNSW to turn collaborations into deeper partnerships that deliver both commercial outcomes and societal impact. Today's commitment reflects that ambition," said UNSW Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise Professor Bronwyn Fox.
"Through this partnership, our organisations will develop new initiatives in research, doctoral education, industry engagement and programs that support researcher and start-up company mobility," Professor Fox said.
The collaboration was announced during a visit to Stuttgart by Australia's Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science, Senator the Hon Tim Ayres, who toured the ARENA2036 Industry and Innovation facility at the University of Stuttgart and the Fraunhofer IAO.
Through partnerships like this, Australian SMEs and emerging tech firms will gain access to European partners, supply chains and innovation infrastructure, lifting their global competitiveness.
"UNSW's strengths in clean energy and storage, robotics, architecture and construction, together with our ARENA2036 membership, provide a strong foundation. We look forward to exploring how joint research, doctoral projects and industry engagement can bring researchers and industry in Australia and Germany closer together," Professor Fox said.
University of Stuttgart Rector Professor Peter Middendorf said the plans built on the University's existing relationship with UNSW and its membership of ARENA2036.
"We are pleased to explore further collaboration with UNSW and Fraunhofer, including doctoral projects, researcher mobility and industry-linked research. ARENA2036 has more than 70 industry partners deeply engaged in collaborative, pre-competitive research," Professor Middendorf said.
The organisations will explore options for a dedicated Fraunhofer IAO presence at UNSW Sydney and joint strategic R&D initiatives to support sustained collaboration.
Professor Katharina Hölzle, Executive Director of Fraunhofer IAO, a Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft institute, said the organisations shared an interest in connecting research and industry.
"Fraunhofer IAO brings vast experience in applied research and project development with industry and a long-standing collaboration with University of Stuttgart and ARENA2036. We look forward to exploring how our capabilities can complement those of UNSW and where collaboration can translate research into practical applications in Australia and beyond," Professor Hölzle said.
