The 2026-27 Budget measure to provision funding for association to the world’s largest research fund, Horizon Europe, will secure Australia’s position as a global research powerhouse, and marks a new era for the nation’s research and innovation sector.
This represents a nation building and strategic investment in Australia’s economic security, innovation and long-term productivity.
The Government’s commitment to fast-track association to Horizon Europe in January 2027 will place universities, businesses, and researchers at the heart of global innovation. It will accelerate research breakthroughs, fast track the commercialisation of Australian discoveries, create high‑value jobs, and connect our brightest minds with the world’s most ambitious research and innovation networks.
The timing of this investment is critical. By joining in 2027, Australia will be in the box seat to influence the settings of Horizon Europe’s next framework which commences in 2028 with a budget in the order of €175 billion.
Recognising that the Government is operating in a fiscally constrained environment, the Group of Eight committed to matching the Government’s contribution to the joining fee. Go8 universities are a central pillar of Australia’s national research capability – investing around $10 billion annually in national R&D.
The Group of Eight applauds the Government decision to increase the Medical Research Future Fund disbursements from the current $650m per year to the $1 billion/year – as the fund was intended to function – by 2030-31. Unlocking the full MRFF will ensure our researchers can continue to tackle the most pressing health challenges and keep Australia at the forefront of global medical discovery.
An important step has been taken in implementing the recommendations of the Ambitious Australia by the establishment of a National Resilience and Science Council.
However, the Go8 is disappointed in the Budget redirection of $800 million in funding for the Australia’s Economic Accelerator program which delivers real world impact and commercialisation outcomes from university research, particularly given that two current rounds of funding are currently in train.