- Science and Technology Secretary meeting European
Commissioner Mariya Gabriel in Brussels
- introductory meeting to discuss collaboration on research and
innovation, including association with Horizon Europe and other
EU programmes
- follows meeting with Donelan and EU Ambassador in London last
month
The Science and Technology Secretary will travel to Brussels to
meet European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel later today (Tuesday 4
April), to discuss research collaboration including the UK’s
expectations around association with Horizon Europe.
The visit in Brussels follows extensive engagement with the
research and development sector in the UK and a meeting between
, Science Minister and the EU’s Ambassador to
London, Pedro Serrano, on 14 March.
The UK welcomes the EU’s recent willingness to engage in
discussions on UK association to EU programmes. Discussions will
need to reflect the lasting impact of 2 years of delays to the
UK’s association.
In parallel, the UK government has been developing plans for a
bold alternative in case the terms of association with Horizon
Europe are not in the UK’s interest. These will be published in
the coming days and we will engage with and seek input from
researchers and businesses to develop these proposals further.
The plans will also provide long-term certainty if we are unable
to reach the right terms through discussions with the EU. In all
circumstances, the government will ensure that UK researchers
benefit from world-leading collaboration with colleagues from
Europe and beyond.
The government is dedicated to supporting the science and
research sector in the UK, which is why we have committed to
increase public R&D investment to £20
billion by 2024-2025, a record increase of 30% in cash terms over
the spending review period.
Secretary of State for Science and Technology, , said:
I am determined to ensure our world-class scientists have the
very best platform on which to continue their work, with research
that transforms the way we live and work, not just here in the
UK, but around the world.
I look forward to this introductory meeting with the EU and
discussing possible future association with Horizon Europe. But
we can only do so on the right terms, and I’m Brussels today to
ensure there is understanding of that on both sides, while taking
forward these discussions in a constructive and respectful way.
To support researchers during this period, the government
announced an extension to the support provided to UK Horizon
Europe applicants until the end of June, which has totalled more
than £882 million to date. Eligible, successful applicants to
Horizon Europe will receive the full value of their funding at
their UK host institution for the lifetime of their grant and UK
researchers are encouraged to continue to apply to Horizon Europe
calls on this basis.
