Vicki Thomson, Chief Executive of The Group of Eight – which comprises Australia’s leading research-intensive universities – stresses what association to Horizon Europe would mean for Australia’s research and innovation landscape Australia is closer than ever to becoming an associate country to Horizon Europe – the world’s largest and most influential public research and innovation programme. After years of deep collaboration with European partners, we are now on the cusp of formal association. This moment matters – not just because of what association would unlock, but because of the cost of delay. For Australia’s research system, the question is no longer whether we collaborate with Europe – we already do. The question is whether we embed that collaboration in a stable, long-term framework that allows Australian researchers, universities and industry to compete, lead, and plan with confidence. For the Group of Eight – Australia’s leading research-intensive universities – the answer is clear: this is an opportunity Australia should seize, and quickly. Australia and Europe: A longstanding relationship Australia’s research relationship with Europe is mature and …