Australia will formally commit to the European Union's Horizon Europe research programme in Brussels on Thursday, opening the door for Australian scientists to compete for a share of $152 billion in funding for science, industry and innovation.

Industry and Science Minister Tim Ayres will finalise the agreement with his European Commission counterpart, Ekaterina Zaharieva, in what the government presents as a landmark step in the reset of Australia's relationship with Europe.

Horizon Europe is the EU's flagship research and innovation programme, worth €93.5 billion ($152 billion). Australia has pledged $40 million to join, and its researchers will be able to apply for grants on the same footing as their European counterparts.

What Australian researchers gain

Australia will associate to Pillar II of the programme, which funds collaborative projects tackling shared challenges in digital technology, industry and space, climate, energy and mobility, food and agriculture, health, and culture and inclusive society.

The major benefits are expected to flow in the next phase of the programme, worth €53.5 billion over the next seven years. Research priorities for Australia are expected to include critical minerals, computing, energy, climate, health and space.

Australian organisations have already taken part in 239 Horizon Europe projects, but until now they have generally had to fund their own participation. From January 2027, under a transitional arrangement, Australian entities will be treated as eligible participants from an associated country and will be able to receive funding directly.

First projects already lined up

The University of New South Wales will on Wednesday announce a joint project with the University of Stuttgart in Germany to develop new materials for solar power, an early example of the collaboration the agreement is meant to unlock.

Negotiations on Australia's association were formally concluded on 9 June 2026, and the government has said local researchers should be eligible for grants from the start of 2027. Canada, New Zealand, Ukraine and the United Kingdom are among the countries already associated with the programme.

Trade deal row continues at home

The signing comes amid a continuing dispute over the EU free trade agreement, unveiled in March, which faces opposition in the Senate from the Nationals over provisions committing Australia to the Paris Agreement and a net-zero emissions target by 2050.

Mr Ayres has urged the Coalition to drop its opposition to the trade deal, arguing that the research pact, the trade agreement and a defence partnership agreed earlier this year form a single package strengthening Australia's ties with Europe.

Mr Ayres travelled to the United Kingdom on Sunday for visits to advanced manufacturing centres and is due to visit Stuttgart before heading to Brussels for Thursday's signing.