UK and EU research leaders urge Brexit negotiators to compromise on Horizon Europe agreement

In a joint statement, over 100 organisations and individuals representing the research community across the UK and Europe have set out how negotiators could secure an agreement on UK participation in the EU’s major research framework programme. 

As negotiators continue the fifth round of discussions on the post-Brexit EU-UK relationship this week, the statement sets out a series of compromises that both sides could make to tackle disagreements over the terms of the UK’s association to the Horizon Europe programme. 

Signatories reflect the research sector in the UK and Europe, and include Universities UK, the Wellcome Trust, the European Universities Association, the Russell Group and the European Society for Paediatric Oncology.

Tackling shared challenges

Participation in EU Funding Programmes has been discussed frequently as part of the post-Brexit negotiations. Ensuring that countries beyond the EU – including the UK – can join the Horizon Europe programme will help researchers to tackle shared challenges, such as cancer, heart disease and climate change. It would also reflect the EU’s ambition of making Horizon Europe ‘open to the world’. 

The joint statement offers a set of solutions to known sticking points in the discussions. It argues that, with enough will on both sides, it should be possible to reach an agreement before the Horizon Europe programme is due to begin in January—but time is rapidly running out. 

Protecting our status as a science superpower

Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, our medical director, was one of the signatories. He said: 

"The UK has a substantial track record when it comes to making life-changing scientific advances. The Government is right to want to protect the UK's status as a science superpower as we forge a new relationship with the EU.

"Many of the advances made in cardiovascular research in recent decades have been made possible by our ability to recruit and retain the very best scientists from around the world. 

"If we are to continue to attract the brightest scientific minds from across the world we need to protect the outstanding research ecosystem that the UK has built. A key part of this will be retaining access to funding streams and networks that enable the UK to connect and collaborate with our European neighbours."

The UK and EU research community is now counting on negotiators to find a way forward in the coming weeks, for the benefit that research brings to citizens across the globe. 

read the full statement