The European Union and Australia have signed an agreement paving the way for Australian researchers and organisations to join and lead projects under Horizon Europe, the EU's flagship research and innovation programme.

The agreement was signed today in Brussels by Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva and Australia's Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science, Tim Ayres. Australia's association covers Horizon Europe's €52.4 billion Pillar II, which funds collaborative research projects in areas including health, climate, energy and digital technologies.