Australia Joins Horizon Europe as Associated Country

By Marine Hurard, European Project Manager – GO

The European Commission and Australia have successfully concluded negotiations on Australia's association to Horizon Europe in June 2026. Australia will join from January 2027 onwards as an Associated Country under Pillar II, including Cluster 1 on Health. This opens new possibilities for collaboration between Institut Pasteur researchers and Australian partners in health, infectious disease research, antimicrobial resistance, and global health preparedness for 2027 calls. 

This milestone formalises an already thriving scientific relationship. Australian organisations have already participated in 239 Horizon Europe projects, with an impressive 24.39% success rate. 

What changes: from January 2027, under a transitional arrangement, Australian entities will move from third-country status to being treated as eligible entities from an Associated Country. This means they will gain direct access to EU funding under Pillar II on equal terms with EU Member States, including the ability to lead project consortia and receive funding without relying on parallel funding. 

The Grants Office – EU division can help identify Australian partners. For instance, the R2D2-MH project coordinated by Institut Pasteur already cooperates with the University of Queensland. Contact us at goeurope[at]pasteur.fr.