European research institutions call for clarity on UK involvement with Horizon Europe
Joint Representatives of the EU research and innovation community have written an open letter asking for more certainty regarding the UK's involvement in Horizon Europe’s research programme post Brexit.
It reads, ‘Horizon Europe’s success will hinge on its commitment to excellence and global outlook. The only way to move forward from the Covid-19 pandemic is as a global community working together to drive research and innovation through collaboration.
‘We have a long history of close and trusted collaboration and shared success with the UK. The strength of those partnerships has provided enormous benefits to excellent research, resulting in countless collaborations to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges, boosting competitiveness and growth.
‘A strong framework programme in research and innovation is essential for the EU to succeed in the twin green and digital transitions. Europe’s strategic autonomy requires close collaboration with the EU’s closest partner in research and innovation.’
The letter explains that the EU knowledge community collectively welcomed the provision in Protocol I of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement for the UK to associate to Horizon Europe and that the subsequent Q&A document from the European Commission provided reassurance that UK entities could apply with EU partners for the first multi-beneficiary calls.
‘Based on the Protocol and those reassurances, for the past 10 months our universities, businesses and research institutions have been working with UK partners with a shared vision and in good faith that the UK would soon be a full associate member,’ the letter continues.
‘But the absence of a clear timeline for finalising UK association is now causing increasing concern. This lingering uncertainty risks endangering current and future plans for collaboration.’
‘With the first Horizon Europe grant agreements approaching and new calls soon to be launched, UK association must be finalised without further delay. Now is the time for swift and decisive action. Further delays or even non-association would result in a missed opportunity and a major weakening of our collective research strength and competitiveness.’
The letter concludes, ‘We urge the European Commission and UK Government to work towards a successful UK association to Horizon Europe, to safeguard this valuable and mutually beneficial R&I cooperation.’
