Hosted at the University of Canterbury, Professor Frank Bloomfield, University of Auckland, Dr Prue Williams, MBIE, Signe Ratso, Deputy Director-General European Commission and Dr Bronwen Kelly, Universities New Zealand joined the opening panel of the Horizon Europe launch event.
Horizon Europe provides access to collaborative research funding for major global challenges such as climate change, digital, energy and health, and supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Following the European Union (EU) and New Zealand signing the Horizon Europe deal last Sunday the University of Canterbury (UC) was pleased to welcome representatives from the European Commission, EURAXESS Australia and New Zealand, universities and the New Zealand research community to come together and understand what this means for New Zealand.
Assistant Vice-Chancellor Brett Berquist welcomed the group to the University campus before the programme opened.
The conference included a panel discussion covering the future of research policy between New Zealand and the EU, understanding how New Zealand will benefit from the agreement and the application process.
Eligible New Zealand entities participate under Pillar 2 for collaborative research via six clusters addressing major global challenges such as climate change, digital, energy and health, and the UN SDGs.
New Zealand is the first country outside the EU to join the programme under a new policy to open up the framework programme to distant democratic nations.
The formal launch of the partnership with Horizon Europe allows Aotearoa-based applicants to participate in Horizon Europe on equal terms with entities from the EU and creates opportunities to jointly develop and shape EU science and technology policy.
