Statement on Australia's strengthened research and innovation ties with Europe
Attributable to University of Melbourne Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Mark Cassidy AM
The University of Melbourne welcomes the Australia European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement, the establishment of an Australia EU Security and Defence Partnership and the announcement of commencing negotiations to associate with Horizon Europe.
Europe is the largest global producer of research and development (R&D) and is both Australia’s and the University of Melbourne’s top international R&D collaborator. Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding program for research and innovation, facilitating global collaboration and strengthening the impact of research and innovation in developing, supporting and implementing EU policies in tackling global challenges.
Australia and the University are well positioned to lead and participate in research consortia through Horizon Europe, by activating a strong network of existing trusted partnerships and collaborations with research organisations and industries in Europe and other associate member countries.
Horizon Europe association will provide Australia with access to an international and cross-sectoral R&D consortia through the final year of a AU$155 billion funding pool. The University was pleased to provide a submission to the Australian Government last year on possible association to Horizon Europe Pillar II.
The thematic research clusters in Horizon Europe Pillar II align with Australia’s National Science and Research Priorities, the National Innovation Pillars in Ambitious Australia: Strategic Examination of Research and Development (SERD) Final Report and the University’s developing Impact Accelerators, which include National Security.
Universities play a critical role in Australia’s research, innovation and discovery effort. Our sustained collaborations and partnerships with European, and other associate members’, universities, governments, business and industry will allow us to leverage this association. This will increase the quality, impact and translation of research that we cannot achieve alone. We are pleased to see Australia commence treaty negotiations to join the list of other associate members, including Japan, Canada and New Zealand.
In the current global context, it is critical for Australia to grow and sustain our collaborations, partnerships and funding opportunities with trusted international partners, including in national priority areas such as defence, energy and environment, health and medical, agriculture and food, resources and technology.
We strongly support Australia’s association to Horizon Europe, which will enhance existing domestic funding for R&D, to boost global connectivity and enable economies of scale for Australian R&D. An association would complement recommendations to the Australian Government in Ambitious Australia, allowing Australia to harness scale for impact and maintain a long-term approach to supporting our nation’s research, development and innovation ecosystem through sustained investment.
The University of Melbourne is committed to working in partnership with the Australian Government and our domestic and global partners across sectors to deliver transformational research for the benefit of our global communities, economy, environment and society.
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