BHF comment
Government announces 'plan B' for European research funding
The Government has this week set out an alternative ‘plan B’ for UK research and development (R&D) funding in the event that UK scientists can no longer access EU research funding programmes, collectively called Horizon Europe, following the UK’s departure from the European Union.
Horizon is the EU’s flagship research programme, which has a budget of nearly €100 billion for 2021-2027.
Despite the 2020 Brexit trade deal including provisions for the UK to become an ‘associate’ member of Horizon Europe, after 18 months of talks on association, no deal has been agreed due to separate disagreements between the UK and EU on how to implement a border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
This situation has left research and business communities “in limbo”, and has even seen some researchers lose the funding they had won through Horizon Europe.
Although restating the preferred outcome is to remain part of Horizon Europe, in its alternative plan, the Government sets out what researchers should expect over the next few years should association fall through.
Thinking ahead
The domestic alternative to Horizon Europe includes transitional measures to “protect and stabilise” the sector.
The most significant pledge is a promise to fund all UK participants in Horizon Europe who are grouped with applicants from the EU or associate countries where grant agreements are signed before 31 March 2025.
The Government has also pledged to cover the cost of new and existing fellowship schemes.
In addition, there will be a “talent and research stabilisation fund” to prop up the income of universities that would be especially hard hit by the loss of Horizon Europe money.
As next steps, the Government will be seeking to engage with the research sector to refine and finalise its Plan B delivery plans and will publish further details on longer term plans in due course.
BHF’s support for Horizon Association
Since the UK left the EU, we have called on Government to seek continued association with this prestigious programme, which we believe is the best option for UK science.
This year, we joined 300 organisations in signing up to the Stick to Science campaign, which urged leaders to “put science collaboration before politics” so that the UK and EU could rapidly reach association agreements.
And this week we signed a joint statement, urging the next leader of the Conservative Party and future Prime Minister to commit to the UK remaining a world leader in research, development and innovation (RDI), including though prioritising association to the EU’s flagship funding programme.
We will continue to push for association over the coming weeks.
Our Medical Director, Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, said: “While we’re disappointed that the best-case scenario of association with Horizon Europe has still not been agreed, it is positive to see an outline for a 'Plan B' which aims to support the UK's research community if association is not ultimately achieved.
“Alongside other medical research charities, we are ready to work with Government to refine 'Plan B' ahead of more detailed delivery plans in the autumn. We will also support a smooth transition to ‘Plan B’ to meet the needs of the research community as necessary.
“But as we outlined in this week’s cross-sector letter to the next Prime Minister, our first priority must continue to be association with Horizon Europe, so we can maintain the critical networks with researchers across Europe built up over decades.”