11 Apr 2024
EU and Australia celebrate 30 years of Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation
An EU-Australia Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee meeting took place on 11 April 2024 in Brussels. On this occasion, the EU and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to science and technology cooperation, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the signature of the Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation in 1994. Recognising the significance of fostering an environment characterised by freedom, independence, openness, reciprocity, and transparency, both sides confirmed their engagement in the Multilateral Dialogue on Principles and Values for Research and Innovation.
Over three decades, the collaborative efforts between the European Union and Australia in research and innovation (R&I) have yielded remarkable outcomes across critical domains such as healthcare, sustainable energy, and research data sharing. The EU R&I framework programmes have been a key element of this collaboration. Looking back over the 30-year span from FP4 (1994-1998), to the present Horizon Europe programme, a total of 749 grants have been signed, involving over 900 organisations, with Australian projects receiving €36.41 million in cumulative EU funding.
The collaboration also extends to international research and training programs like the Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions (MSCA), fostering exchanges and partnerships between researchers at various career stages. Across the seven years of the H2020 programme, 48 Australian organisations have participated in 184 MSCA projects, 611 MSCA researchers have been hosted in an Australian organisation, while the programme has also supported 259 Australian researchers. These numbers are expected to increase under Horizon Europe
The meeting on 11 April addressed current and future R&I cooperation in thematic areas including research security, measures to protect critical technology and to counter foreign interference in R&I, reciprocity, capacity building for the Indo-Pacific region, agriculture, earth observation, energy transition, health, research infrastructures, researchers’ training and mobility. The meeting was co-chaired by Maria Cristina Russo, Director for International Cooperation in the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (EU), and by Dr Carolyn Patteson, Head of Division for International Trade & National Security in the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (Australian Government), with the participation of key EU and AU science agencies and services.
The next meeting is planned for 2026, in Australia.
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