BHF welcomes deal for UK to rejoin Horizon Europe

We are delighted with Government’s announcement today that the UK will rejoin the EU’s flagship scientific research scheme, Horizon Europe, as an associate member. The deal ends years of uncertainty for the UK’s research community following our exit from the European Union.

From today, UK-based scientists and institutions will be able to apply for grants from the £81bn (€95bn) fund. 

In the past, UK researchers have benefitted greatly from EU research and innovation funding. Between 2014 and 2020, UK researchers received over €7 billion from the ‘Horizon 2020’ programme – second only to Germany in terms of funding received. 

What were the issues? 

The 2020 Brexit trade deal included provisions for the UK to become an associate member of Horizon Europe. However, disagreements over the UK’s contribution as well as the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland led to talks stalling and left UK scientists unable to access funding.  

The Windsor Framework, which was agreed in February, put an end to this disagreement and unlocked final negotiations for the UK to rejoin the programme. 

What do we think? 

Since the UK left the EU, we have called on Government to seek continued association with the prestigious Horizon programme as we believe this is the best option for UK science. 

In 2022, 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.   

‘Securing future scientific relationships’ 

Responding to today’s announcement, Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, our Medical Director, said: “We are delighted that a deal has been reached for the UK’s association with Horizon Europe, securing our future scientific relationship with our European neighbours.  

“The collaborative, international research this agreement enables will be vital to accelerate developments that can save and improve the lives of the millions of people living with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK and Europe.” 

“Today’s deal will facilitate renewed collaborations across Europe, cementing the UK’s position as a leading research destination and attracting top scientific talent from around the world to deliver future ground-breaking discoveries."  

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