cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/3069921

Universities Australia - a body representing 39 universities in Australia - has called on the federal government to join Horizon Europe in a bid to strengthen the nation’s economic resilience and global competitiveness through enhanced international research collaboration.

Horizon Europe, a major European Union research and innovation program, offers substantial funding for global partnerships focused on tackling complex global challenges. Association with the program would have provided Australian researchers access to this multi-billion-dollar fund and enabled closer scientific cooperation with international peers.

Universities Australia Chief Executive Luke Sheehy said joining Horizon Europe would have sparked a cycle of innovation, strengthened partnerships, and driven economic growth.

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“If we’re serious about building a prosperous and productive economy, then we need a seat at the table—especially in a shifting and increasingly complex global environment,” he said.

Mr Sheehy warned that rising geopolitical tensions risked disrupting existing research alliances, and that Australia needed to act to maintain its competitive edge.

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