While we maintain that Horizon Europe association is the best way
forward for researchers from the UK and the EU to continue to
work together, we welcome the UK Government’s new report,
'Supporting UK R&D and collaborative research beyond European
programmes'.
We see this as the first step in clarifying how the government
would invest in the UK university research and development
(R&D) if association proves impossible.
Given that this will represent a major shift in research funding
for the UK, it is imperative that the research community has a
chance to respond to proposals and to contribute to their
development. Today’s publication allows for this to begin to
happen in a transparent way.
For more than 30 years, EU research programmes have enabled
cooperation between researchers across the continent to flourish,
including in critical sectors like health and climate research.
If the UK is not able to associate, we must ensure that ambitious
alternative funding is put in place quickly. The publication
provides much-needed information about how this could be
achieved.
We particularly welcome the confirmation that, in a
non-association scenario, the government will extend the scope of
the financial guarantee to cover all UK applications submitted to
calls with a deadline before the point of non-association. For
calls closing after this point, the government makes clear that
they will fund all participation by UK researchers as
third-country partners in future Horizon Europe calls until 31
March 2025, where UK researchers are eligible. Taken together,
these reassurances will be critical for enabling UK and EU
researchers to continue to work together on collaborative
projects while there is no permanent solution in place.
We are also pleased to see other asks for short-term funding that
we have put to government reflected in the paper, including the
proposed Talent and Research Stabilisation Fund and support for
in-flight applications. More clarity is quickly needed on the
budget and timeline for implementing this plan, and this should
not be held up until any decision not to associate has been
taken.
Commenting on the publication, Professor Steve West CBE,
President, Universities UK, said:
Although association to Horizon Europe is still by far the best
outcome for protecting the UK’s position as a Science Superpower,
the ongoing delay in confirming UK association is very damaging
for university research and innovation. The publication of the
document on 'Supporting UK R&D and collaborative research
beyond European programmes' therefore provides welcome
transparency around government contingency plans, especially for
short-term stability and safeguarding future collaboration with
EU partners.
"We now require more precise information on the budget and
timeline for implementing these plans. Universities want to work
closely with the government to shape long-term alternatives to
Horizon Europe if association falls through. Time is pressing and
we therefore ask politicians to continue to push hard for
association as a matter of extreme urgency.
Professor Steve West CBE
President, Universities UK
Read the full publication on
the UK Government website.
