What's Happening?
The UK Government is being urged to secure the country's participation in the Horizon Europe research and funding programme. Higher and Further Education Minister Jamie Hepburn has written to Michelle Donelan MP, Secretary of State for the Department
of Science, Innovation and Technology, emphasizing the importance of formalizing access to Horizon Europe. The call comes after the UK Government reclaimed £1.6 billion initially allocated to facilitate association with EU programmes, raising concerns about the future of the UK's research and innovation sector. The Windsor Framework agreement with the EU on the Northern Ireland protocol has opened the possibility for the UK to rejoin the programme, but the reclaimed funds pose a threat to the sector's competitiveness and reputation.
Why It's Important?
Securing participation in Horizon Europe is crucial for the UK's research and innovation sector, particularly in Scotland, which has missed out on significant funding since Brexit. The reclaimed £1.6 billion threatens future access to the programme and contradicts previous commitments to invest in research and innovation. The uncertainty surrounding the UK's association with Horizon Europe has already impacted universities, students, and the research community, exacerbated by the loss of freedom of movement and withdrawal from the Erasmus+ programme. Rejoining Horizon Europe would restore vital funding opportunities and enhance collaboration with European partners, bolstering the UK's scientific and academic standing.
What's Next?
The UK Government is urged to urgently pursue legal association with Horizon Europe to mitigate the loss of funding and address the wider damage caused by Brexit. The recent progress on the Windsor Framework offers a promising opportunity for re-entry, but the reclaimed funds and ongoing uncertainty pose challenges. The UK Government must assure the sector that plans are in place to address these issues and secure Horizon association as a matter of pressing importance. Efforts to achieve this must be prioritized to protect the interests of the research and innovation sector in Scotland and across the UK.
